A modern high-rise building with glass windows and balconies, surrounded by other tall buildings and green trees in an urban area, with a clear blue sky above.

Ascent MKE: The World’s Tallest Mass Timber Building

Record-breaking. Award-winning. Breath-taking.

Concepted in 2018, started in 2020, and completed in 2022, our 25-story Ascent set a world record and reframed what is possible in the world of construction and design.

The project brand resonated with local and national media, and people all around the world, capturing imaginations and resetting expectations in the world of construction.

The 493K SF mixed-use residential project offers 259 luxury apartments, along with 7K SF of street-level retail and 20K+ SF of amenity space.

Ascent MKE has been featured in:

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Spacious living room with white sofa, blue armchair, pink velvet ottomans, and a white ottoman with decorative vases. Open-concept kitchen with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances in the background. Wooden ceiling and beams, with a potted p
Modern bedroom with a large bed, nightstands with lamps, sliding glass door leading to a balcony, and city skyline view.
Modern hotel lobby with wooden ceiling, large windows, lounge chairs, colorful plants, and a black suspended fireplace.
Empty modern gym with cardio and weightlifting equipment, wooden ceiling and walls, large windows, and a gray carpeted floor.
Interior of a modern apartment living room with large windows, white sofa, wooden armchair, dining table, plants, and colorful artwork, with a wooden ceiling and city view.
A modern, open-concept apartment with a living area and kitchen featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a city skyline with tall buildings, and a kitchen island with a gas stove and range hood.
Wooden structure with support beams and a ceiling, outdoors against a blue sky with some clouds.

  • • 45% pre-leased at the time of opening

    • 90% leased ~12 months after opening (6 months ahead of schedule)

    • 60% retention rate (10-20% better than portfolio best and portfolio average)

    • 25% of residents cite mass timber as a critical decision factor

    • Achieved the first 3-hour fire rating in the US (all other US mass timber buildings are <180')

    • Sourced 2 million+ lineal board feet of lumber from Austria, navigating logistics challenges through COVID

    • Secured 14 variances from code officials

    • Financed the $130m Ascent in 2020 despite capital market meltdown

    • Secured insurance coverage on tall timber

    • Achieved 99% accuracy of MEP + mass timber coordination

    • Leased and Refinanced within 15 months of completion

  • Timber + Partners was born from New Land Enterprises, an award-winning company that has developed 29 projects with a value over $650M. New Land manages 2,000 apartments as well as 200k SF of commercial space.

    Seeing incredible opportunity, but also a need for a different approach, we formed Timber + Partners to solely focus on mass timber development.