Tall & Urban News

On July 20, 2022 New Land Enterprises welcomed the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to its Ascent development at 700 E. Kilbourn Avenue this afternoon, for a ceremony to officially establish its status as the world’s tallest mass timber hybrid building, at 86.6 meters (284 feet).

Following the official certification, DSPS Assistant Deputy Secretary Dan Hereth delivered a proclamation on behalf of Governor Tony Evers which establishes the third week of July as “Mass Timber Week” in Wisconsin. DSPS has been instrumental in pursuing updates to state building codes to allow more mass timber projects to be built without compromising safety.

“This proclamation reflects the state’s commitment to renewable building materials and resilient communities,” Hereth said. “We are proud to recognize Ascent for the incredible achievement that it is and for inspiring more interest in sustainable design and construction.”

Ascent broke ground in August 2020, after approximately two years of research, testing, planning and collaboration with external stakeholders. The process brought together experts from around the world and has established a model for tall timber that may help pave the way for future projects. Ascent welcomed its first residents on July 15th, and is currently leasing apartments.

Read more on this at On Milwaukee.