Founded in 1915, Hawken School is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving 941 students in preschool through grade 12 from nine counties in Northeast Ohio. Central to Hawken’s mission is their promise to ‘prepare students to navigate a complex and dynamic world with self-confidence and determination; embrace challenges with disciplined analysis and creativity; and engage others with empathy and integrity.’ The fulfillment of this promise has earned Hawken a national reputation for educational excellence and innovative programming. Hawken is divided into four schools and is located on three separate campuses; the Early Childhood Center, Lower and Middle Schools are located in Lyndhurst; the Upper School campus is located in Gates Mills; and the Gries Center is located in University Circle in Cleveland. The Gries Center (formerly Mather Mansion) is a satellite campus for Hawken to engage the Cleveland and University Circle community and organizations and a means for us to integrate ourselves into its culture.
At the end of 2009 The Krueger Group was awarded the job of renovating the historic 100 year old former Mather Mansion in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio and charged with turning it into a center suitable for experiential learning classrooms and community events and meetings. The mansion had to be completely gutted including the removal of asbestos, the addition of utilities, re-wired, sprinkled, re-plumbed, walls taken down and re-constructed, a new addition and staircases added, and ceilings and woodwork preserved and re-constructed. In addition all lighting, plumbing, electrical fixtures and cabinetry were replaced and suitable plans for cutting edge technology were executed. The Krueger Group was also charged with drawing up plans, schedules, and obtaining the necessary governmental documents and permits while at the same time retaining the mansion’s historic look and having the project finished on time and on budget for the start of the 2010-2011 school year. They were wildly successful in fulfilling all of their tasks and in going above and beyond the call of duty in all aspects including the public relations and marketing pieces.
I would highly recommend The Krueger Group, their subcontractors and the management, professionalism, attention to detail, and care that Bob Krueger and his staff gives to the building and renovation process at all stages.