Michael Green Architecture Plans to Build a 55-Story Mass Timber Skyscraper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
An ambitious proposal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, aims to elevate wooden construction to new heights. If everything goes according to plan, the project will become the tallest mass timber building in the world upon completion. The unnamed building is designed by Michael Green Architecture (MGA), a firm that has played a significant role in popularizing modern mass timber high-rises in North America, as reported by New Atlas on August 9.
The new timber building will be 55 stories tall, the tallest in the world upon completion. (Photo: MGA).
The exact height of the building at this early stage has not been disclosed, but the company has confirmed that it will consist of 55 stories. In comparison, the current tallest mass timber building in the world, Ascent, also located in Milwaukee, has only 25 stories. Therefore, the new building will be significantly taller than Ascent. It will feature green spaces and multiple rooftop areas.
According to MGA, the proposed project has an investment of $700 million and includes several mixed-use buildings. The project will be developed in multiple phases and will feature 750 residential units, approximately 18,900 square meters of office space, 3,700 square meters of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, parking facilities, public squares, and pedestrian walkways. MGA will lead the design with support from a skilled team that includes HGA, Gehl People, C.D. Smith, and Thornton Tomasetti.
MGA’s new timber building may incorporate concrete to enhance stability. The tallest all-timber structure in the world, Mjøstårnet in Norway, stands at 85.4 meters. Any building taller than this has required concrete reinforcement to date.
Many people may have concerns about the fire safety of wooden skyscrapers. However, modern mass timber differs from conventional wood in that it is manufactured in a factory, consisting of multiple layers of glued wood that form incredibly durable beams, often outperforming steel in fire scenarios due to its tendency to char rather than ignite completely.
