Stuff Blown Up: The Couture

2024 STUFF SE

Construction of The Couture, a 46-story luxury apartment building near the lakefront in downtown Milwaukee, is nearing completion. After years of delays, construction began in 2021. At a cost of $188 million, the building includes 322 apartments, 42,000 square feet of retail space on the first three floors and a transit concourse for the Milwaukee streetcar and for Milwaukee County buses. It is the tallest residential building in the state of Wisconsin. There are numerous workers and companies that worked on the construction of The Couture and each offers their own unique career opportunities. Take a closer look at some of the jobs and companies that made The Couture a reality.

Contractors

Madison-based J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. was the general contractor leading construction for The Couture. To complete a project, general contractors usually work with several subcontractors, each specializing in a specific area, giving them expertise to make sure the job is done right and on budget. Here are some of the companies that worked on The Couture project:

  • Butters-Fetting Co. Inc. | Milwaukee: Plumbing, HVAC

  • C&B Glass | Barrington, Illinois: Tower glazing system

  • Common Links Construction | Brookfield: Lath and plaster

  • Construction Supply & Erection | Germantown: Metal wall panels

  • J.F. Ahern | Fond du Lac: Fire suppression

  • Klein-Dickert | Pewaukee: Glass for storefront, curtainwall

  • KMI Construction | New Berlin: Masonry

  • Langer Roofing & Sheet Metal | Milwaukee: Roofing

  • Sanchez Painting Contractors | Milwaukee: Painting

  • Sergenian’s Flooring Coverings | Madison: Flooring

  • Sid’s Sealants | Port Washington: Caulking, sprayfoam

  • Staff Electric | Milwaukee: Electrical contractor

  • Stark Pavement Corp. | Brookfield: Concrete

Occupations

It takes people with many different specialties to bring a construction project like The Couture to completion. Here are some of the jobs involved in the project along with a brief description and average yearly salary for the position in the Milwaukee area, according to O*NET:

Construction Laborers: This position performs physical labor on a construction site, including operating power tools and other equipment, preparing sites, digging trenches or setting braces, erecting scaffolding and cleaning up rubble and debris. You’ll work with others, spend time outside in the elements and often be on your feet. It is a job that requires communication, knowledge of construction, dexterity and strength, dependability and attention to detail.

Wages in metro Milwaukee:

Low  $37,090 |  Middle  $51,180  |  High  $79,820

Bricklayers: This job is responsible for using mortar and other substances in building and repairing walls, partitions and other structures with materials like brick, structural tile or blocks. It is a job that requires both independence and cooperation along with attention to detail and integrity. You will need core strength, hand steadiness and the ability to see details at close range, plus construction and design knowledge.

Wages in metro Milwaukee:

Low  $47,090  |  Middle  $75,330  |  High  $95,120

Carpenters: Workers in this trade build, install and repair structures made from wood and other materials. Think of things like the framework of a building, stairways, window and door frames and floors. They may also install cabinets, siding or drywall. It is a job that requires measuring, cutting and fastening materials. You’ll need to get information, work with others and pay attention to details.

Wages in metro Milwaukee:

Low  $37,460  |  Middle  $60,260  |  High  $89,620

Iron Workers: This job is responsible for raising, placing and connecting steel and iron to form the basis of structures. It is a job that requires reading blueprints to determine locations and materials to use, connecting parts with rivets, bolts or welding and working with other trades to move materials into place. You’ll need to inspect materials, deal with potentially distracting noises and be comfortable working in high places.

Wages in metro Milwaukee:

Low  $53,670  |  Middle  $83,930 |  High  $95,920

Operating Engineers: Responsible for operating equipment like graders, bulldozers, tractors, shovels and front-end loaders, this job excavates, moves and grades dirt, erects structures and pours concrete or other hard surface pavements. You’ll operate big pieces of machinery, coordinate actions with others and understand the consequences of a mistake could be extremely serious. In addition to operating equipment, you’ll also need mechanical and equipment maintenance knowledge.

Wages in metro Milwaukee:

Low  $49,700  |  Middle  $76,410  |  High  $94,680