Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Status: Completed 2019
Size: 3,500 sq. ft.
Building off of their successful brand retooling at the Grafton location, the Fiddleheads crew undertook the rehabilitation of the Historic Koehler-Zahn House in Menomonee Falls. The Queen Anne styled structure was built in 1893 and had most recently seen service in the 1990’s as the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce. Having sat vacant for several years, the building needed a use, as well as minor restoration including windows & paint.
Constructed originally as a residence, the Koehler Zahn house was more inwardly focused than the traditionally gregarious and inviting Fiddleheads cafes. To create a sense of welcoming, without drastically altering the original historic structure, a one story “garden room” was added to the North side of the house. This addition, with its sleek glass garage doors, contrasts its historic host with a more refined, modern aesthetic. This contrast was intentional in an effort to put the visual focus onto the intricate detail of the historic home as well as to clearly delineate what was new, and what had pre-existed.
The exterior of the café features several outdoor seating areas that blend fluidly with the interior when the garage doors are opened. The rooftop deck on the project has also quickly become a popular spot once the springtime weather becomes amicable. On the interior, a variety of seating as well as hidden nooks and alcoves provide a multitude of spots to ensconce oneself with a laptop or book. This café took the lessons of the Grafton location and applied them to create an engaging new space.
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