Continuing our Sister Cities series, we return to Milwaukee, where a new proposal has been unveiled for the world’s tallest mass-timber tower. Located at 1001 N Water Street on the western edge of downtown, the project will replace a multi-story parking garage with a three-tower high-rise development. Efforts are being led by local developer The Neutral Project.
Site context map of 1001 N Water Street via Google Maps
Milwaukee Mayor Chevy Johnson has been vocal about his goal to grow the city’s population to one million, nearly double its current population of 563,305. As part of this effort, the city has been working on new development plans to attract jobs, talent, and residents.
View of 1001 N Water Street via Google Maps
Thus in 2023 an RFP was issued for the redevelopment of the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s parking garage. The Neutral Project’s $700 million proposal was selected as the winner, designed by Vancouver-based Michael Green Architecture. The main tower of the project will rise 55 stories and reach 613 feet, becoming the tallest building in the state.
Rendering of 1001 N Water Street by Michael Green Architecture
The project will be built in phases. The main tower will consist of three mass-timber structures of varying heights and will contain up to 750 residential units. The multi-story podium they share will house a large supermarket, retail space, and a 1,100-vehicle parking garage. Overall, the project will provide approximately 40,000 square feet of retail space across all phases.
Site plan of 1001 N Water Street by Michael Green Architecture
A secondary office tower, attached to the main structure’s podium, will offer around 190,000 square feet of leasable office space and ground-floor retail. This tower will face a central pocket park and plaza that will connect all of the project’s buildings. Across from this park, a separate hotel tower will feature 300 hotel rooms and short-term rentals.
Massing diagram of 1001 N Water Street by Michael Green Architecture
While plans are still evolving, the designer has expressed a commitment to using as much wood as possible with minimal carbon emissions. If completed, the tower will surpass Milwaukee’s own Ascent Tower as the world’s tallest timber structure. However, Crain’s Chicago recently published an opinion piece advocating for a shift back to steel construction rather than timber.
Rendering of 1001 N Water Street by Michael Green Architecture
The development will now proceed to seek full approval from the city’s Common Council. This process includes securing a one-year exclusive right to negotiation, to allow the developer time to finalize plans, secure tenants, and obtain financing. At present, a complete timeline for the project remains unknown.
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Why did Crain propose a movement back to steel? Mu understanding is that the eco footprint us much higher.
Crain’s publishes opinion pieces on different sides of issues. This particular opinion piece was from someone from the steel industry, so it’s not surprising they would have that take on mass timber construction. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Crain’s has this opinion as it’s not from their editorial board. I’ve never seen the argument that somehow steel is more sustainable than mass timer. I think the “facts” presented are a bit specious. I’d like to see mass timber take hold in Chicago. Even if we find that it doesn’t work for some reason, it’s always nice to see innovation and experimentation.
good height. glad to see MKE building this.
The same drive Milwaukee has to hit 1,000,000 residents needs to be Chicago’s goal of re-hitting 3,000,000 or even 3,500,000. Yes theres a lot of things that need to change, but every mayor needs to have that goal
Absolutely a great goal. The whole point of being mayor should be to help the citizens and help the city and grow the city. That really hasn’t been the case in awhile in Chicago. I’m not sure about Milwaukee, but I’m guessing it’s the same thing.
Milwaukee was making great progress on this, but sadly the last few years have seen non-enforcement of property crime downtown and a large number of youth crimes where they have said on camera that they don’t care about getting caught because they will be back out in time to steal another car later in the day. The general feeling of unease is causing a reversal of progress and will have a domino effect on apartment demand sadly. I hope they are able to figure it out soon as i’m already seeing first-hand a large number of people leaving the city again for nearby suburbs.
No actual data proves out your point about apartment demand or people living the downtown core for the suburbs.