Lumber tariffs and inflation halt construction of the world's tallest wooden skyscraper in Milwaukee
Neutral Pauses “Edison,” a Landmark in Sustainable Architecture
Local developer Neutral has confirmed that construction on its ambitious mass timber skyscraper, known as Edison, in Milwaukee has been paused due to the impact of rising tariffs and inflation on material costs.
“Recent tariffs and broader inflation have materially increased the direct costs of key inputs,” explained Helbach, a spokesperson for the company.
According to the developer, the decision to pause construction is a strategic step to ensure the long-term success of the project:
“Pausing to reassess value is a difficult but prudent step to safeguard the long-term success of 1005 N Edison. Our focus remains on building a resilient and exceptional building for Milwaukee.”
The Edison: A New Benchmark for Timber Construction
Located at 1005 N Edison Street, the Neutral Edison — also referred to as The Edison — was designed to reach 32 stories and 375 feet (110 meters) tall, housing 353 residential units.
If completed, the tower would become the “world’s tallest mass timber building,” surpassing the current record-holder, Ascent, which is also located in Milwaukee.
Economic Pressures and Contract Disputes
Neutral cited economic pressures as the main reason for the construction halt, but several local outlets have reported that other factors may be at play, including potential cost mismanagement and disputes with the contractor CD Smith Construction.
However, the company dismissed these reports as “rumors,” according to ENR Midwest.
Milwaukee city council member Robert Bauman told the Daily Reporter:
“It seems we have a situation where they underestimated their costs, began construction anyway, and suddenly realized the project was underfunded for what it was designed to be.”
Tariffs and Their Impact on the Construction Industry
According to ENR Midwest, Neutral did not specify which tariffs are affecting the project, but sources referenced several tariffs recently introduced by the Trump administration that impact the construction sector, including those on lumber and steel.
Construction began in June 2025, but there is no confirmed restart date. Structural engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti still lists 2027 as the projected completion year on its website.
Part of a Larger Urban Development Vision
The Edison is part of a broader urban development plan led by Michael Green Architecture (MGA), which includes several high-rise towers just north of Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center.
Among these is a proposed 55-story mass timber skyscraper, also designed by MGA, which remains in the early planning stages, according to News Atlas.
The Edison’s design is credited to Neutral’s in-house design team in collaboration with Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, a Chicago-based firm renowned for its expertise in mixed-use and residential high-rise projects.
A Paused Project with Transformative Potential
Although currently on hold, the Edison remains a symbol of the future of sustainable architecture in the United States. Its innovative use of mass timber construction and focus on energy efficiency could set a precedent for future urban developments if work resumes.
With Milwaukee emerging as a hub for timber high-rise innovation, the fate of The Edison will be closely watched by the global architectural community.
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