Local developer Neutral has stated that construction on its mass-timber Edison skyscraper in Milwaukee, which it claims will be the “world’s tallest”, has been halted due to rising tariffs.
According to local outlets, Neutral CEO Nate Helbach stated that construction on the residential tower Neutral Edison has temporarily halted due to “recent tariffs and broader inflation”.
Construction on a mass timber building in Milwaukee has halted due to tariffs and inflation, according to its developer
“Recent tariffs and broader inflation have materially increased key input hard costs,” said Helbach.
“Pausing to value-engineer is a difficult but prudent step to safeguard the long-term success of 1005 N Edison. Our focus remains on delivering a resilient, exceptional building for Milwaukee.”
It would be the tallest mass timber building in the US if completed
Located at 1005 N Edison Street in Milwaukee, if completed, Neutral Edison, or The Edison, would have 32 storeys at 375 feet-tall (110 metres) and contain 353 residential units.
This would make it the “tallest mass timber building in the world”, according to its developer, beating out the current title-holder, Ascent, which is also located in Milwaukee.
Neutral named rising economic costs as the reason for the pause, but other factors, such as cost mismanagement and disagreements with contractor CD Smith Construction, have been cited by news sources, although the company has disputed the latter as “rumors”, according to local news outlet ENRMidwest.
The Edison building is located on the waterside edge of a larger development master-planned by Michael Green Architects
“We appear to have a situation where they underestimated their costs, they started construction anyway, and they suddenly came to a realization the project was underfunded as designed,” Milwaukee alderman Robert Bauman told the Daily Reporter.
Additionally, the ENRMidwest reported that specific tariffs were not named by Neutral, in reference to several tariffs recently rolled out by the Trump administration that may impact the building industry, including those on timber.
Construction on the project began in June 2025, and it is unclear when it will start up again, although building consultant Thornton Tomasetti lists the completion date as 2027 on its website.
World’s tallest timber tower replaced by forest growth “in less than 25 minutes”
The building is part of a wider, multi-tower development project master-planned by Michael Green Architecture (MGA) just north of the city’s Marcus Performing Arts Center.
The development also includes a 55-storey mass timber skyscraper designed by the studio; however, it is still in its planning phases, according to News Atlas.
The design of the Edison building is credited to Neutral’s in-house design team and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture.
Recently, the Trump Administration announced a 30 per cent tariff on upholstered furniture, and Dezeen discussed the impacts of tariffs on sustainable architecture.
The renderings are courtesy of Neutral