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Balancing mass scale with sustainability is vital when increasing urban density. As the use of mass timber is on the rise, construction is reaching new heights at The Edison—a luxury mass timber apartment complex by Wisconsin-based developer Neutral. At 31 stories tall, the new building will surpass the Ascent MKE, which is currently not only the tallest mass timber building in Milwaukee, but holds the world-record title, according to the USDA.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the launch of this property with first-in-class offerings for healthy and intentional living,” Daniel Glaessl, Neutral partner and chief product officer shared in a press release.

The project was initially proposed as a 15-story building with 200 residential units before the height practically doubled in 2023, rising to 28 stories and adding nearly 100 more units. At the time, its height already exceeded the Ascent, but the developer revised the height again, and current plans rest at 31 stories with over 375 units added.
HPA is the lead architect for the shell and core and residential floors, led by partner Paul Alessandro. Neutral Studio, the in-house architecture team, is the architect for the three amenity floors. Glaessl and Kadri Kaldam, director of architecture, are leading that work at Neutral.
Perched on the River
The residential units will range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and the building will add approximately 7,200 square feet of retail space to the heart of the city. The first floor will host membership spaces where residents can get work done, grab a coffee, or shop at an organic grocery store. Membership also comes with club access to a fitness center, health clinic, and spa facilities.
Renderings of the multifamily structure showcase blocky massing and a dark facade broken up by rectilinear glazing. The building sits directly on the RiverWalk, with an outdoor patio space and entertainment deck offering views out to the river.

“It helps Juneau Town grow and thrive because more residents mean more activity, more support for local businesses, and stronger connections to jobs and transit,” shared Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee’s mayor. “We welcome developers who want to help Milwaukee grow.”
The site served as a timber yard in the early 1900s, aiding the city’s industrial rise. The facade was designed to imitate the post-and-beam columns that encompass the architecture of the Third Ward.
Testing the Timber
In April, Neutral completed a three-hour fire test on a standard timber assembly at Southwest Research Institute. Upon completion, though the exterior was heavily charred, the structural integrity remained uncompromised, clearing its use for high-rise construction. The building materials are projected to reduce embodied carbon by 54 percent. Additionally, a large portion of Neutral’s mass timber is Forest Stewardship Council–certified.

The project is pursuing Passive House (Phius) certification, which follows the Phius 2021 Core Standard. The certification hinges on building performance, taking into account insulation, ventilation, and more. To increase sustainability, the building will circulate 2 million gallons of water daily from the Milwaukee River to cool the entire structure.
According to Phius, evolving policy in Wisconsin is partly to thank for the increase in passive building projects throughout the state—which considers certification while distributing federal tax credits for affordable housing. That may explain why Wisconsin has become the nation’s forerunner in mass timber projects.
With the groundbreaking ceremony on June 16, construction at Neutral Edison is officially underway. Construction is expected to complete in 2026, with the building opening to residents in 2027.
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