The Neutral Edison is a planned high-rise residential development located at 1005 N. Edison Street in Milwaukee. Construction began on June 16 for the 31-story tower, which is designed using mass timber construction methods.

The development is planned to include 353 residential units along with a range of shared facilities, including fitness, wellness, and co-working spaces. Additional features outlined in the project plans include retail space on the ground floor and various resident services.

Approximately 7,000 square feet of retail space is planned at street level. Copa Vida is expected to operate the café and grocery components and manage selected shared spaces within the development as part of its planned expansion.

CD Smith was fully started to manage construction work. Neutral, the project’s developer received $133.3 million in construction loans from Bank OZK and Pearlmark.

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture is the design leader of the building, while Forefront Structural Engineers manages structural engineering services, assisted by Thornton Tomasetti with additional services.

However, despite the progress, construction of The Edison in Milwaukee, intended to be the world’s tallest mass timber building at 31 stories, has been paused. Reasons noted include rising costs, tariffs, and inflation. While ground was broken in June 2025, financial constraints have halted the project, although the previous record-holder, Ascent, also in Milwaukee, remains fully operational.

Other Projects

Other than the Neutral Edison, the David Geffen Galleries is another project revolutionizing the view on contemporary construction. The facility is set to open on April 15 with the 347,500 square-foot structure having been unveiled earlier last week by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). It is designed by renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. LACMA’s new structure, with its sweeping concrete form and unconventional layout, reflects aspects of architectural fascination by sparking strong public reactions and discussion.

Project permitting process

Neutral Edison has seen several rounds of design refinement since its original release in 2020, which delayed the approval. The permitting process wrapped up in February, including a lease for additional parking in a nearby city-owned building. The Neutral Edison finished construction will see the tower stand taller than the 25-story Ascent building—half a mile to the east—the tallest mass timber building in the Western Hemisphere. But soon the world title will be claimed by an even taller timber structure under construction in Sydney, Australia.

The developer Neutral continues to set new precedents with green building. A second record-breaking tower is also in the works across the street from The Neutral Edison.

The developer states that the incorporation of mass timber within the building reduces embodied carbon emissions by up to 54% and reduces energy use and operational carbon by 45% compared to traditional building methods. A significant portion of the wood will be Forest Stewardship Council-certified, and the project aims to achieve Passive House standards and Living Building Challenge 4.0 Core Certification.

“By combining mass timber technology with a high-performing, low-carbon envelope, The Neutral Edison is redefining what sustainable architecture can be,” said Daniel Glaessl, Partner and Chief Product Officer at Neutral. “We’re thrilled to bring this forward-thinking project to life, offering an elevated and intentional lifestyle for future residents.”

Read also: New York City lays out plans for the largest mass timber residential project on Staten Island

Construction on Tallest Mass Timber Building in the U.S. – The Neutral Edison: Project Factsheet

Project Overview

Location: 1005 N. Edison St., Madison

Developer: Neutral (Madison-based)

Construction Start: June 16, 2025

Height: 31 stories

Building Specifications

Residential Units: 353 units (high-end rental)

Commercial Space: 7,000 sq ft (ground floor)

Construction Type: Mass timber with high-performing, low-carbon envelope

Sustainability Goals: Passive House standards and Living Building Challenge 4.0 Core Certification

Key Team Members

General Contractor: CD Smith

Architecture: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

Structural Engineering: Forefront Structural Engineers

Additional Engineering: Thornton Tomasetti

Financing

Total Construction Financing: $133.3 million

Lenders: Bank OZK and Pearlmark

Tallest Mass Timber Building in the U.S: Amenities & Features

Health & Wellness

Full-floor membership club

Fitness center and spa

Health clinic

Bathhouse and sauna

Pool and outdoor lounge deck with small pool

Lifestyle & Convenience

Movie room and lounge areas

Golf simulator

Coworking spaces (managed by Copa Vida)

Dog park with grooming facilities

On-site Tesla rentals

E-bike and scooter sharing program

Environmental Impact

Embodied Carbon Reduction: 54% compared to traditional construction

Energy & Operational Carbon Reduction: 45% compared to conventional methods

Timber Certification: FSC-certified materials

Significance: Tallest mass timber building in the United States

Project Timeline

Initial Announcement: 2020

Final Legislative Approval: February 2025 (including parking lease agreement)

Construction Commencement: June 16, 2025

Completion: 2027

Read also: New Milwaukee Development to Feature World’s Tallest Mass Timber building