Thank you to Tim Gokhman for joining CCIM Wisconsin to tell us about Ascent – the world’s largest mass timber tower coming to Milwaukee. Ascent will be a luxury high rise made out of mass timber. The plans call for 265 apartments, and amenities galore. It includes a pool on the sixth floor with floor to ceiling windows that open, a wellness floor, decks and more. The power and aesthetics of mass timber are quite impressive, and the design will allow exposed beams wherever possible.
According to Gokhman, “mass timber has the ability to do for the building industry what Tesla did for the EV market.” There will be no compromise on aesthetics or performance, and it has an enhanced environmental benefit because mass timber is sustainable. Ascent received the largest “Wood Innovation Grant” because mass timber helps promote responsible forestry. Mass timber also uses a quarter of the labor compared to steel and less people onsite means less room for human error. Mass timber tolerances are a fraction of that of concrete and steel. While costs are higher initially, Gokhman feels it evens out in the long run and has the ability to become a more cost-efficient option. It also outperforms steel in a fire.
Ascent will top out at 283 feet making it the tallest mass timber building in the world. It will be located at 700 E Kilbourn Ave. Click HERE for the video and slides.