The Edison, located at 1005 North Edison Street in Milwaukee, WI, is set to make history as the world’s tallest mass timber tower, rising 31 stories and 365 feet. Spanning nearly 500,000 square feet, the development will feature 378 modern market-rate apartments in a design that blends sustainability, strength, and innovation.

The Edison’s use of mass timber dramatically reduces environmental impact, lowering its embodied carbon footprint by up to 54% and cutting operational energy use by 45% compared to conventional buildings of similar size. The project is also targeting Passive House certification (PHIUS 2021), one of the most rigorous standards for energy efficiency worldwide.

Structurally, the tower is highly optimized. A compact reinforced concrete core, supported by strategically placed outrigger walls, provides lateral stability while minimizing foundation demands. The gravity system features glulam columns and girders, cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels at the perimeter, and a post-tensioned concrete slab system around the core.

Forefront Structural Engineers serves as the Engineer of Record for The Edison, responsible for the complete structural design of the tower — including the mass timber system, post-tensioned slabs, all concrete components, lateral systems, and foundations. Forefront’s expertise in blending advanced timber engineering with proven concrete systems is central to making this groundbreaking project a reality.