News Summary
The construction of ‘The Edison,’ a planned 31-story mass timber skyscraper in Milwaukee, faces a temporary halt due to rising costs from inflation and tariffs. Developers announced the pause while emphasizing the need for value-engineering to ensure project success. Once completed, The Edison will house over 350 high-end residential units and commercial retail space, aiming to be the tallest mass timber building in North America. Designers have included various sustainable features, but stakeholders face challenges due to the current economic climate.
Milwaukee – Construction of the planned 31-story mass timber skyscraper, “The Edison,” has been temporarily halted due to recent tariffs and broader inflation that have increased hard costs. Developers, Neutral, announced the construction pause on September 18, 2025.
The Edison aims to deliver over 350 high-end residential units along with commercial retail space. Once completed, it is expected to become the tallest mass timber building in North America, surpassing the current record holder, Ascent, a 25-story timber high-rise built in 2022.
After groundbreaking took place in the spring of 2025, the foundation of The Edison was successfully completed. The total estimated cost for the project is $133 million, funded through a loan sourced from Bank OZK and Pearlmark. Following the pause, Neutral’s CEO emphasized the necessity of value-engineering the project to ensure its long-term success.
A dispute has arisen between Neutral and the general contractor, C.D. Smith, regarding the reasons for the construction halt; however, the contractor has not made any public comments on the matter. Despite this pause, Neutral has stated plans to keep the construction site intact and protect the completed works while the project is on hold.
Design and Amenities
The Edison has been designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, with structural support from Forefront Structural Engineers and engineering assistance from Thornton Tomasetti. Planned amenities for the building include a community movie room, fitness center, coworking space, sauna, and outdoor areas featuring a small pool. Additionally, commercial tenants will include an organic grocery store and café to be managed by Copa Vida, a company based in Los Angeles.
Sustainability Initiatives
The design of The Edison focuses on environmentally-friendly features and aims for various sustainability certifications, including Living Building Challenge 4.0 Core Certification and Passive House certification. Mass timber, a key construction material for the project, is engineered to offer greater strength, aesthetic appeal, and environmental advantages compared to traditional building materials. The carbon footprint associated with the construction materials is estimated to be 54% lower than that of conventional structures, while the operational carbon footprint and energy consumption are projected to be 45% lower.
Project Background
The project was initiated by Neutral in 2020 after identifying the 0.56-acre site, which was purchased for $4.12 million. Site preparation followed the demolition of a warehouse that formerly occupied the location in 2024. Although The Edison may hold the title of the tallest mass timber building in North America, a taller structure currently under construction in Sydney, Australia may eventually surpass it, which could position The Edison as the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
The decision to halt construction underscores the challenges facing the construction industry, particularly as economic factors such as inflation and tariffs continue to create obstacles for developers. Stakeholders involved in the project remain hopeful that, with re-evaluated strategies and careful management, The Edison can still achieve its vision of transforming the Milwaukee skyline into a modern, sustainable landmark.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Construction of Milwaukee’s Edison Development Halted
Construction Pause for Milwaukee’s The Edison Due to Cost Increases
Additional Resources
- WISN: Tariffs Put Record-Breaking Milwaukee Skyscraper Project on Hold
- JSONline: Milwaukee High-Rise Construction Pauses as Developer Addresses Costs
- WTMJ: Work Paused on Downtown Milwaukee Mass Timber High-Rise Development
- MultiHousing News: Neutral Secures $133M for Milwaukee Luxury Project
- Urban Milwaukee: Groundbreaking Held for Tallest Mass Timber Tower in the Western Hemisphere
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee
- Google Search: Milwaukee Construction
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee Skyscraper
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee
- Google News: Milwaukee Edison Skyscraper
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
