Ascent Apartments

Project Strategy

In Milwaukee's East Town neighborhood, The Ascent proudly stands as the world's tallest mass timber structure, a 25-story mixed-use tower spanning 493,000 square feet. This impressive building houses 259 apartments, a seventh-floor pool, and a penthouse amenity level. Completed within two years of groundbreaking in August 2020, The Ascent is not only a feat of architectural height but also features luxury apartments, retail space, and recreational amenities like a pool and a sky deck, showcasing its commitment to sustainable high-rise living.

The community-centric building offers a 7,000 sq. ft. retail space available for lease, providing tenants with access to a rooftop bar, cinema, and numerous other amenities. This multi-use space not only enriches the community experience but also plays a vital role in addressing the housing challenges faced by the expanding city of Milwaukee.

Over the span of the 10-month project, more than 250,000 square feet of Milliken, Daltile, and Tarkett material were successfully installed. The project management team faced a challenge when the initial carpet vendor couldn't supply materials on time, requiring a reevaluation of their plan to meet the project deadline. Instead of opting for an entirely new carpet from the new vendor, the team collaborated with the new vendor, leveraging their proprietary printing technology. This innovative approach involved printing custom carpet that precisely matched the existing color and design chosen for the spaces.

The new carpet incorporated an existing vendor pattern customized with a unique colorway, an upgraded base and backing, and a custom carpet tile size. Not only did this solution align with the building's overall biophilic design, but it also proved more cost-effective than the originally specified carpet.

Given the distinctive architecture of the building, moisture control issues were a concern. Fortunately, the materials used in the new carpet played a role in addressing some of these moisture issues, showcasing the project's adaptability and success in overcoming challenges.

Through a great relationship with the Starnet preferred vendor and our installation team, the job was completed on time and exceeded the standards of the developer. Instead of being a one-time transaction, the relationship between the installing contractor, vendor, and developer has evolved into a more continuous, recurring model.