News Summary
The construction of The Edison, a planned 31-story mass timber high-rise in downtown Milwaukee, has been paused due to rising costs influenced by tariffs and inflation. The developer, Neutral, aims to address these expense pressures while ensuring the project remains feasible. The Edison, designed to be the tallest mass timber structure in North America, will include residential units and retail space. The timeline for resuming construction remains uncertain as the developer examines cost-reducing strategies.
Milwaukee, WI — The construction of the 31-story mass timber high-rise “The Edison” in downtown Milwaukee has been paused due to increasing costs attributed to recent tariffs and broader inflation, as announced by the project’s developer, Neutral. This decision comes amid rising expenses that are impacting the feasibility of the construction project.
The Edison is located at 1005 N. Edison St., overlooking the Milwaukee River, and is designed to include over 350 residential units along with retail space. Upon completion, this building is anticipated to become the tallest mass timber structure in North America, showcasing a growing trend towards sustainable construction methods.
After breaking ground in spring 2025, the foundation for The Edison has been completed. The construction pause has been described by Neutral’s CEO as necessary for addressing cost pressures and optimizing the project’s budget. During this suspension, the developer is working closely with general contractor C.D. Smith to conduct an in-depth cost-reduction and value-engineering process. However, a specific timeline for when construction will resume remains uncertain.
Neutral has already secured funding amounting to $133 million for the construction of the building. In addition to the construction pause, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue has filed a tax delinquency warrant against Neutral for an overdue tax bill of $37,774 as of September 17, 2025.
The Edison’s initial apartments are expected to be completed by spring 2027, with the remaining units slated for finishing by summer 2027. The project incorporates mass timber, an environmentally sustainable building method that involves layers of wood pressed together to form structural components.
A range of amenities is planned for The Edison, which include a community movie room, a golf simulator, a fitness center, co-working spaces, a sauna, a lounge, a dog park, on-site Tesla rentals, and an outdoor lounge deck featuring a swimming pool. The first floor of the building will provide approximately 7,000 square feet of commercial space, which is set to host a café and an organic grocery store operated by the Los Angeles-based Copa Vida.
The project not only focuses on residential space but also emphasizes sustainability. It intends to pursue various environmental certifications, including the Living Building Challenge 4.0 Core Certification and Passive House certification, showcasing the commitment to eco-friendly building practices.
Neutral has additional plans to develop more high-rises with mixed-use functionalities close to the Marcus Performing Arts Center parking garage. However, the project is not receiving direct city subsidies and awaits a final review by the Common Council regarding the potential sale of city-owned land that could support these developments.
Area Alderman Robert Bauman has openly expressed skepticism about Neutral’s plans for further developments, which adds another layer of consideration as the project moves forward. The pause in construction may serve as a strategic move to ensure the long-term success of The Edison, allowing Neutral to reassess and navigate the changing economic landscape.
As the construction pause continues, stakeholders in Milwaukee will be closely monitoring developments surrounding this ambitious project, which holds the promise of transforming the city’s skyline while advancing sustainable construction practices.
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Additional Resources
- WISN: Tariffs Put Record-Breaking Milwaukee Skyscraper Project on Hold
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee High-Rise Construction Pauses
- WTMJ: Work Paused on Downtown Milwaukee Mass Timber High-Rise Development
- Google Search: Milwaukee Edison high-rise
- Urban Milwaukee: Groundbreaking Held for Tallest Mass Timber Tower
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mass Timber
- Multi-Housing News: Neutral Secures $133M for Milwaukee Luxury Project
- Google Scholar: Mass Timber Construction
- BizTimes: Developer Celebrates Groundbreaking for 31-Story Mass Timber Apartment Tower
- Google News: Milwaukee Edison construction
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.
