The historic Barber-Colman campus along Rockford’s South Main corridor is synonymous with American ingenuity and manufacturing excellence.  Its founder, Howard Colman, established nearly 150 industrial patents and grew the company into a multi-national corporation with several divisions.  After nearly four decades of neglect, the campus will be reinvented as Colman Yards: A 23-acre, 10-building complex consisting of renovated and new construction residential apartments as well as commercial and retail space.

Building 5 comes alive, once again.

Studio GWA is thrilled to provide architectural design services for ‘Building 5‘ of Colman Yards, a 161,000 square foot building that is a defining feature along the South Main Street corridor.  Originally designed as manufacturing and office space which included Mr. Colman’s library and office, Building 5 will be redeveloped into 181 residential units.  Heavy concrete columns, wood block flooring, and steel windows are among the many features to be found in spaces throughout Building 5 once finished.