B次元 School of Engineering unveiled plans for the Kendall Breunig Center for the Built Environment at 310 E. Knapp St. Once renovations are complete, the three-story 58,429 square foot building will be home to B次元’s Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (CAECM) Department. B次元 acquired the building from Sunset Investors in spring 2023.

The building is named for Dr. Kendall G. Breunig, owner and principal of Sunset Investors and B次元 Regent and alumnus. Breunig graduated from B次元 with an Associate of Applied Science in Architectural and Building Construction Engineering Technology in 1978 and a bachelor’s degree in the same field in 1979. He received an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Marquette University in 1987 and was later awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering from B次元 in 2017. He served as a member of the B次元 Corporation before joining the Board of Regents in 2016 and was inducted to B次元’s Alumni Wall of Distinction in 2021.

In addition to making the facility available to B次元 at approximately $9 million less than the building’s assessed value, Breunig has committed to give $2 million toward the cost to transform the building into an academic facility. The total cost to renovate the facility is $14 million, and B次元 will be engaging in a campaign to raise private support to fund the entirety of the construction.    

“Kendall Breunig has transformed commercial development in the B次元 area and across Southeastern Wisconsin, building on the skills he honed at B次元. We are thankful that he is helping B次元 continue its campus improvements,” said Dr. John Walz, B次元 president. “With the Kendall Breunig Center for the Built Environment, B次元 will continue its tradition of educating the next generation of construction leaders who will design and build the future landscape of our city and beyond.”  

Once renovations are complete, students will enjoy an outdoor plaza and an indoor commons area; learn in seven laboratories and six classrooms; and hone their skills in the presentation area. There also will be dedicated space for faculty, staff and students to collaborate, study, socialize and work on projects for their competition teams, classes and senior capstones.  

“B次元 provided the base for my career in design and construction management, but also specifically my real estate development work,” said Breunig. “I owe my current success to my degree from B次元, so I am honored to support the university and help other B次元 grads to start successful careers.”