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Milwaukee board approves rezoning for Western Hemisphere’s tallest mass timber building

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Milwaukee board approves rezoning for Western Hemisphere’s tallest mass timber building

Mixed-use tower would rise 21 stories high.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | February 5, 2019

Courtesy Pixabay

The Milwaukee City Council’s City Plan Commission unanimously approved rezoning for a project that includes what could be the Western Hemisphere’s tallest mass timber structure.

The 21-story Ascent residential tower would use cast-in-place concrete for the first five floors and concrete shafts from top to bottom. A 15-story exposed mass-timber system that uses steel connectors would be installed on the base.

The architect says the mass-timber system could be installed in as little as four months. The design will feature up to 205 residential units and as much as 8,100 sf of first-floor commercial space.

Enclosed parking would be provided on four floors. Roof-top amenities would also be included. The project still must attain additional approvals.

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