US city developing ‘tallest’ mass timber building, again

Render of a mass timber high-rise project in-development in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. (Image: Michael Green Architecture)

That’s because Milwaukee is already home to the largest mass timber building – Ascent MKE – and is currently constructing The Edison, which – once complete – would exceed the current record-holder.

Ascent totals 25-storeys and reaches 284 feet (87m), and The Edison is planned to reach 32-storeys and 375 feet (114m).

The Neutral Project also helped develop The Edison. 

The newest mass timber structure, which is not yet approved, is being developed to tower over both the Ascent and Edison (in The Edison’s case, quite literally, as the buildings are on the same block), although an official height for the third structure has not been confirmed.

Early designs – presented by Canada-based Michael Green Architecture (MGA) – call for a multiple mixed-use building with investment from The Neutral Project equalling US$700 million. The group seeks to construct up to 750 residential units alongside 190,000 sq feet (17,652m²) of office space and 40,000 sq feet (3,716m²) of retail space. Also planned are 300 hotel rooms, 1,100 structured parking spaces and public spaces and walkways.

Joining MGA in development are two Wisconsin-based firms – HGA Architects and Engineers and construction firm C.D. Smith  – in addition to New York-based consultancy Thornton Tomasetti and Danish designers Gehl.

Render of The Edison building, a proposed mass-timber high-rise in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. (Image: The Neutral Project)

As for next steps, the city said it is proposing a one-year exclusive right to negotiation, subject to city council approval, to allow the development team time to secure tenants, secure financing and finalize project plans.

Mayor says project is part of population march to one-million

The city’s mayor, Cavalier Johnson, believed the city’s third record-breaking mass timber building would assist his goal of driving Milwaukee’s population to one-million people.

“To do that, we need to be aggressive and reach for new heights. This project will help us do just that, literally aiming to set local and global records, but just as importantly add density and activity to an underutilised City-controlled parcel in downtown Milwaukee,” he said.