Van Cleave Architecture + Design

02/26/2026

We are pleased to announce that Van Cleave Architecture + Design has been recognized with the 2026 Best of Houzz Design award!

This honor reflects our continued focus on adaptive reuse, preservation, and thoughtful design solutions that elevate existing structures for contemporary life.

We thank our clients and collaborators for making this work possible.

09/09/2025

Congratulations to Julie & Paul on the opening of their new hot spot! We are so grateful to have been part of the process as this space is truly unique. Put on your 80's attire and head to Bronzeville!

Wanna dance with somebody? Head to Summer of '85.

07/24/2025

We're proud to share that Dream Lounge Social is opening its doors in style this weekend and Van Cleave Architecture + Design was honored to help bring this reimagined space to life.

The owners, Amy & Joah Tucker, have done a great job breathing new life into this local sports bar and have dedicated themselves to keeping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive alive and thriving. The result? A bold new identity, a fresh interior, and a space that’s ready to welcome the community once again.

Cheers to fresh starts and unforgettable moments with friends. Don’t miss the celebration this Saturday, July 26 at 3:30 pm and stay tuned for a closer look at the transformation. 🍸✨

Learn more: https://www.dreamloungesocial.com/

04/24/2025

The pandemic changed many things but perhaps nothing more profoundly than the way we work. As the world rapidly shifted to remote work, home offices went from being a luxury to a necessity almost overnight.

Van Cleave Architecture + Design embraced this evolution in a home office for a client who lives in Shorewood but works in Chicago. We took an extra bedroom that he had already been using as an office and added functionality and purpose. Our client had taken up gardening during the pandemic and wanted to explore bringing his skills inside in a creative way. We also did not want to eliminate the closet in the room, so we incorporated a living wall kit from Horticus Living into a built-in cabinet/closet for functionality while adding visual appeal, texture and improved air quality. The original walk-in closet stayed in place for when it turns back into a bedroom and, in fact, got larger! It’s a perfect example of our design philosophy: honoring the home’s existing character while enhancing it for modern living.

04/24/2025

Grand Opening this Saturday! Be there!

Join us for our grand opening on ! Now that our licensing is squared away, it's time to reintroduce ourselves. We will have vendors, story time, and specialty merch! See you there!

02/11/2025

We are excited to finally announce the opening of one of our projects - Niche Book Bar, a unique bookstore that focuses on "Black books, Red wine" and can be found on MLK Dr. We are honored to have helped Cetonia on her journey and get her off her "book bike"!

This incredible place is dedicated to promoting black authors with at least 80% of its collection spotlighting their work. Be sure to check out the cozy atmosphere and immerse yourself in a good book and a glass of wine!

Check out this TMJ4 article to learn more: https://www.tmj4.com/lifestyle/black-history-month/celebrating-black-literature-is-the-main-focus-at-milwaukees-newest-book-store-niche-book-bar

12/10/2024

Exciting news at Van Cleave Architecture + Design! We are thrilled to announce that we won first place in the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design competition, sponsored by the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin and AARP!

ADUs are compact, self-contained living units located on the same property as a primary residence. They serve as versatile housing options, whether for accommodating family members or generating rental income.

For our winning design, we focused on repurposing an existing garage to create an affordable, sustainable, and accessible ADU, the 3 pillars of the design competition. By utilizing frost-protected shallow footings, a unique floor plan, and simple finish materials that complement the main house and blend in with the neighborhood, we demonstrated how an ADU can be utilized as another housing type in dense urban neighborhoods.

11/15/2024

We are happy to announce the completion and sale of our first collaborative project with BIG Construction and The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce (TWBCC)! Together, we’ve taken the first step in a new initiative focused on revitalizing Milwaukee by remodeling abandoned homes and turning them into affordable opportunities for first-time homeowners.

This property, located on Milwaukee’s north side, has been beautifully transformed and just sold.

Here’s to strengthening our community, creating new beginnings, and building a brighter future for Milwaukee.

05/02/2024

As advocates for community enrichment and local culture, we often recognize the profound impact small businesses have on the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. Today, we're reaching out with an opportunity to support a local entrepreneur get her shop open.

Cetonia Weston-Roy is the owner of Niche Book Bar and is striving to open up her shop on MLK in the heart of Bronzeville. It is poised to become a beacon of knowledge by focusing on Black books in underrepresented genres. Additionally, it will house a small café with the tag line “Black books, Red wine”! However, like many entrepreneurial endeavors, it's facing financial challenges that are hindering the completion of its construction.

We believe in the power of local bookstores to not only provide literature but also to foster a sense of belonging and intellectual curiosity within our community. That's why we're calling on you to join us in rallying behind Niche Book Bar during this critical juncture.

Your support can make a significant difference in ensuring that Niche Book Bar becomes a reality and continues to thrive for years to come.

Let's come together to lay the foundation for a cornerstone of our community and celebrate the magic of literature and learning. Thank you for considering this important cause.

Black Books, Red Wine! Help us bring a bookstore back to Bronzeville! | Check out 'Niche Book Bar: Help Us Open Our Doors!' on Indiegogo.

03/07/2024

We are so pleased to win a "Best of Houzz Design" award. Thank you for the support!

Read more at the link below.

Our clients come first and we work hard to ensure they are getting top notch design with excellent customer service. We are pleased to receive a “Best of Houzz” award for “Best of Houzz Design 2024” this year. We are so grateful for our wonderful... Read More

02/26/2024

We are thrilled to see one of our Arts & Crafts renovation projects showcased again on the cover of Old House Journal. Read more at the link below:

In the world of architecture, few accolades rival the honor of having your work showcased on the cover of a magazine. This dream became a reality recently when mention of our kitchen design was featured on the February 2024 cover of Old House Journal. What made it even more special is that our proje...