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Photos: Wowed by Wittich

Photos: Wowed by Wittich

Remarkable renovation is impressive

Students study on the patio of Wittich Hall.

Posted 11:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2021

The outside looks very familiar, complete with an edifice facelift and updated doors and windows. Inside, you’ll find familiar remnants throughout a completely re-designed, modern academic building.

The $25 million renovation of Wittich Hall, the original physical education building on campus, is being completed this summer and will be reopened this fall. When the building opens, it will house the College of Business Administration, including the Small Business Development Center.

The building that prior to the re-do looked very familiar to its 1916 original opening has a 21st century pizazz that appeals to faculty, staff and students.

UWL Professor Emeritus AB Culver, a 1967 UWL master’s degree graduate who completed her thesis on Walter Wittich, for whom the building was named, believes he would approve of the renovation.

“[Wittich] would be very happy to see the results of the restoration of the sky lights in the roof, walking track and other historic aspects of the building,” says Culver. “He would be honored to see how much care and effort has been going into keeping Wittich Hall visible and relevant in the future of UW-La Crosse.”

The west side of the building now includes an impressive patio, a spot certain to become a favorite of students.
An aerial view shows the spectacular skylight replacements, as well as an extensive patio along with landscaping that now includes rainfall drainage areas.

A view showing off the southwest of the building.

The first floor area that included the swimming pool has been reformed into offices that have retained the familiar green wall tiles.
The original gymnastics area with suspended walking track has been transformed into office suites while retaining the open concept. Also, skylights have been reopened and updated.
The second level basketball court has been kept as the floor while being retrofitted as office suites.
Skylights, allowing lots of natural lighting, can be found throughout the renovated building.
Wood reclaimed from the original second floor track is featured on the stairway leading into the basement lounge area.
  • Those who’ve walked the stairs in Wittich earlier will recognize the woodwork in the stairways and surrounding areas.
  • Those who’ve walked the stairs in Wittich earlier will recognize the woodwork in the stairways and surrounding areas.

Those who’ve walked the stairs in Wittich earlier will recognize the woodwork in the stairways and surrounding areas.

The basement lounge area features sitting and group areas with a fireplace and large monitors.
An electronic ticker tape keeps College of Business Administration faculty, staff and students updated about the stock market.
A view toward the northwest side of the building.

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