Tall & Urban News

Milwaukee has selected a developer for the site of the Marcus Performing Arts Center parking garage at 1001 North Water Street with the intentions of building a mass timber high-rise that rivals the Ascent, currently the tallest mass timber hybrid building in the world at 284 feet (86.6 meters) that is also located in the city. Poised to redefine the skyline with this development is a proposed $700 million USD investment that represents a significant step toward urban renewal and architectural innovation in the city.

Designed by MGA | Michael Green Architecture with The Neutral Project, LLC as the developer, the development is envisaged as a mixed-use complex spreading over several phases. It is planned to house up to 750 residential units, offering a range of living spaces to accommodate diverse needs. Additionally, the project will include 190,000 square feet (17,652 square meters) of cutting-edge office space, 40,000 square feet (3,716 square meters) of retail areas designed to boost local commerce, and 300 hotel rooms that promise to enhance tourism and hospitality offerings in the area. To support this extensive development, the plan also includes 1,100 structured parking spaces and will create community engagement through public plazas and walkways.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson expressed enthusiastic support for the project, emphasizing its role in his broader vision to expand the city's population significantly. By converting an underutilized city-controlled parcel into a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood, this project aligns with Milwaukee’s strategic goals of enhancing urban density and introducing innovative, sustainable building practices.

The project's significance is also recognized by leaders at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, with President and CEO Kevin Giglinto highlighting the development's potential to energize Water Street and create a lively neighborhood that will benefit patrons and residents alike. With the City granting The Neutral Project a one-year exclusive negotiation right, extendable upon need, the development team is now focused on securing tenants, arranging financing, and finalizing detailed project plans. This phase is critical to transforming these ambitious architectural and environmental aspirations into a concrete reality that could dramatically influence the future of urban development in Milwaukee and beyond.

Learn more about this story at Woodworking Network.