Developer to start test piling for 32-story mass timber Milwaukee tower

Crews will start running test piles at the site of The Edison in downtown Milwaukee, as the August construction date for the 32-story mass timber building inches closer.

Madison-based developer The Neutral Project wants to build a mass timber tower with 384 units and more than 7,000 square feet of ground floor retail space at 1005 N. Edison St. Working with Fond du Lac-based C.D. Smith Construction, developers hope for the project to be completed in spring of 2027.

Full construction is scheduled for August 2024 and test piling will start next week, an official with The Neutral Project confirmed. The developer also sought a commercial footing and foundation permit, according to city records.

In addition to C.D. Smith, the project team includes Chicago-based Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Thornton Tomasetti. Finland-based Stora Enso will manufacture cross-laminated timber for The Edison.

The project will also have improvements to the city Riverwalk, goals for a green roof and will lean into electric vehicle sharing, buses, rapid transit and bike share programs, according to the architect. Having a mass timber building will mean construction emissions will be cut by 70% without concrete, architects added.

Additionally, The Neutral Project responded to the city of Milwaukee’s request for proposals with plans for a 50-story mass timber building over the Marcus Center of Performing Arts parking garage at 1001 N. Water St. The city has tried to redevelop the space since the early 2000s.

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If both The Edison and 50-story project move forward they will exceed the heights of The Ascent, the current world record holder for tallest mass timber building.

C.D. Smith is also the general contractor for Baker’s Place, another Neutral Project mass timber building in Madison.