Original Construction
1929
Size
88,000 sqft
Cost
$7,000,000
Completion Date
Ongoing
National Historic Landmark

Described as one of America’s castles, Meadow Brook Hall was originally designed in 1929 by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls as the 110-room residence for Oakland University founders Matilda Dodge Wilson and Alfred G. Wilson. Inspired by Tudor and Elizabethan English country manor houses, the exterior features brick, sandstone, timber, and a clay tile roof anchored by 39 custom brick chimneys. The interiors are rich with elaborate craftsmanship, including carved wood and stone, custom art tile, intricate plaster ceilings, stained glass, and gold-plated bathroom fixtures.

Beginning in 2003, the HopkinsBurns team as SmithGroup, led by principal in charge and project manager Tamara Burns, began a multi-year effort to restore the mansion and modernize its infrastructure. The project encompassed life-safety and electrical distribution upgrades, steam boiler installation, heating and cooling system repairs, tile roof restoration, bronze window repairs, and the conservation of detailed interior finishes. Building on this work, in 2024 the firm completed a new 2,900-square-foot Welcome Center alongside a comprehensive building assessment to guide the Hall’s future and ongoing preservation.