Legal
Contractor Wins $11.3M Judgment in Milwaukee Timber Tower Lawsuit
The developer halted work on the $230-million mass timber-concrete hybrid tower in 2025, citing tariffs and rising timber costs.
A decision by a Milwaukee County Judge in favor of a contractor seeking $11.3-million for work it did on a failed timber tower in Milwaukee clears the way for foreclosure proceedings to take place.
A Wisconsin contractor has been awarded an $11.3-milllion default judgment to cover the costs of work performed on a failed $230-million, 32-story mass timber–concrete hybrid tower in downtown Milwaukee. Once planned as the tallest timber building in North America, construction on The Edison stopped in September 2025 with the developer citing rising tariff costs and inflation.
C.D. Smith Construction of Fond du Lac, Wis. was awarded the default judgment June 29 in Milwaukee Circuit Court. It is a step needed for foreclosure to occur and for the property to eventually be sold.
The contractor filed a lawsuit in March against the developer, Neutral, seeking foreclosure and the sale of the unfinished high-rise, citing unpaid construction costs and an estimated $25-million shortfall in project financing.
Neither C.D. Smith nor Neutral responded to requests for comment on the judgment.
When announced in 2024, the 378-unit Edison was expected to become the tallest mass timber building in North America, surpassing the 25-story Ascent in Milwaukee.
Neutral stopped construction on The Edison in September 2025, citing impacts from tariffs and inflation, and described the pause as temporary. Although the foundation had already been placed, the project's tower crane and other equipment were removed in November 2025.
Concerns about Neutral’s performance on The Edison led Milwaukee officials in November 2025 to remove the firm as preferred developer for a planned $750-million redevelopment of the Marcus Performing Arts Center parking structure across the street. The proposal had called for up to 750 residential units, 190,000 sq ft of office space, 300 hotel rooms, structured parking and public plazas.
C.D. Smith's lawsuit also named 11 other contractors or vendors as defendants, a strategy usually intended to protect legal rights and sort out who ultimately owes what, and which may be used to bring those with a financial stake into one lawsuit rather than having multiple separate cases.
Ald. Robert Bauman of Milwaukee said he does not anticipate a quick sale because "there are some legal time windows involved that would preclude [it]."
He said he presumes a new development will be residential.
"I am sure it will happen eventually. It is a good location," he said.
