In the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a bold architectural experiment was taking shape. Neutral 1005 N Edison St, a 375-foot timber skyscraper, was poised to become the tallest of its kind in the United States—and the world. With 31 floors, 350 residences, and amenities like a health clinic, fitness center, and retail space, it wasn’t just a building. It was a statement: that sustainable, mass timber construction could scale to new heights.

The tallest timber tower in the U.S. was rising fast—until inflation brought it to a standstill. Now, its future hangs in the balance, and what happens next could reshape how cities build sustainably. Neutral



But just months into construction, the project hit pause. Not because of engineering flaws or design missteps—but because of money. Rising inflation and U.S. tariffs have pushed costs beyond what developer Neutral can absorb. “Pausing to value-engineer is a difficult but prudent step to safeguard the long-term success of 1005 N. Edison,” said Neutral CEO Nate Helbach. The team is now working with C.D. Smith Construction to rework the budget and salvage the vision.

Edison isn't just a building. It's our vision for the future of American housing. This 353-unit tower of mass timber and natural light is the tallest of its kind in the US. It will be complete in 2027. Neutral


This isn’t just a hiccup for one building. It’s a wake-up call for the entire construction industry. Mass timber—engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam)—has been hailed as a greener alternative to concrete and steel. It’s lighter, stores carbon, and can be prefabricated off-site. But it’s also vulnerable to market forces. When tariffs spike or supply chains wobble, projects like Edison feel the squeeze.

For Milwaukee residents, the delay is more than a construction site gone quiet. It’s a missed opportunity for housing, jobs, and a landmark that could redefine the city’s skyline. For urban planners and developers, it’s a reminder that innovation needs financial resilience to thrive. And for everyday people watching the future of sustainable living unfold, it’s a lesson in how global economics can shape local communities.

Still, the foundations are laid. The vision remains. And Neutral insists this is a temporary setback—not a cancellation. Whether Edison will still claim the “world’s tallest timber tower” title after the redesign is uncertain. But the ambition behind it hasn’t faded.

As cities race to build greener and smarter, Edison’s story is a cautionary tale—and a hopeful one. Watch this space. If the numbers add up, Milwaukee might still rise to the top of the timber world.

Source: Neutral