Beneath the Hard Hat
C.D. Smith Company Blog

Bakers Place Mass Timber Construction Project Update: Madison, WI

Date: Mar 29, 2024 9:48:45 AM | Author: Tracy Lisowe
Bakers Place Project Tops Off as Madison's First Mass Timber High-Rise

Madison, WI - (April 12, 2024) - This week, the final cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel was placed on Bakers Place, marking a major milestone for the city's first mass timber high-rise building.

CD Smith Construction crew signs last piece of CLT for topping off Bakers Place mass timber building crane and USA flag in background in Madison Wisconsin

Located in the heart of downtown Madison, Bakers Place is a mixed-use development that's pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction. The Neutral Peroject celebrated the significant milestone with key stakeholders and investors at a small topping-off ceremony on Thursday, April 11th.

CD Smith Construction Project Manager Brett Jerdee signs CLT for Bakers Place mass timber building topping out in Madison Wisconsin

A Catalyst for Sustainable Development

The Neutral Project, a local developer and a leader in sustainable real estate development, set out to challenge conventional real estate development methods with a new approach centered on mass timber construction to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment.

CD Smith Construction carpenter working on top floor of Bakers Place mass timber building with capital building in background in Madison Wisconsin

Bakers Place is an innovative mixed-use development built using a hybrid structural approach. It includes a post-tension concrete podium, structural steel cores and columns, glue-laminated beams and a CLT floor system. Leveraging sustainably sourced mass timber, the project optimizes functionality and also minimizes its environmental impact by reducing its carbon footprint.

 CD Smith Construction site fencing around Bakers Place mass timber building construction with crane flying flag in background in Madison Wisconsin

Beyond Buildings: Constructing Communities

The 14-floor, 206-apartment development broke ground in January of 2023. A mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom, and townhomes, the luxury apartments are designed with exposed mass timber, designer fixtures and cutting-edge technology.

CD Smith Construction Project Managers on top floor of Bakers Place mass timber building with view of capital and cranes in the background in Madison Wisconsin

Bakers Place boasts stunning views and offers residents a vibrant, regenerative living experience. Here are just some of the amenities that foster a connected community:

  1. A bustling cafe and mercantile in the mews provide convenient shopping options.
  2. A dedicated co-working and library fosters a collaborative environment.
  3. A managed community garden puts residents in touch with nature and encourages them to eat locally sourced food. 
  4. A managed gym by Peter Kraus Fitness fosters exercise and healthier lifestyles.
  5. A spa room gives tenants access to hot and cold therapy with a sauna and cold tub.
  6. The art and crafts rooms give residents a space to be creative.
  7. The level 10 lounge and skydeck give tenants plenty of space to enjoy time with friends. 
  8. On-site electric vehicle rentals promote lower-carbon transportation.

CD Smith Construction team with large USA flag attached to crane at Bakers Place mass timber building in Madison Wisconsin

A Vision Realized: Looking Ahead

Scheduled for completion in March 2025, Bakers Place is a testament to the expertise of the entire project team. The design team includes Vancouver-based Michael Green Architecture a renowned mass timber design architect, Madison-based Angus-Young Architects and Engineers, and Vancouver-based Equilibrium Consulting -- a structural consulting firm that has been at the forefront of mass timber innovation in large-scale construction for more than two decades. Other design consultants include ARUP Fire Code Engineer, RDH Building Science, and Rivion LEED consultants. The general contractor, C.D. Smith brings extensive experience with large-scale mass timber projects.

View of Lake in Madison Wisconsin from top of Bakers Place mass timber construction building with crane and CD Smith crews working with rebar a couple of levels down

Stay tuned for more updates on Bakers Place as construction progresses. You can learn more at cdsmith.com/bakersplace.

Date: April 12, 2024 | Author: Tracy Lisowe

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Madison's Landmark Mass Timber Construction Project, Bakers Place, Approaches Topping-Out Milestone as it Rises in the City's Skyline.

Photo-from-street-of-Bakers-Place-Mass-Timber-Building-Construction-in-Madison-Wisconsin-with-CD-Smith-cranes-and-equipment-on-the-project

Bakers Place, an exciting mixed-use development, is rapidly taking shape and promises to be a landmark achievement as the first mass timber high-rise building in Madison, Wisconsin.

WHERE WE'VE BEEN: The 14-floor, 206-apartment development showcases developer Nate Helbach's and The Neutral Project's commitment to environmentally responsible building using sustainably sourced wood to reduce construction's carbon footprint.

Bakers Place Mass Timber Construction Project interior photo showing wood and steel beams and floor systems with CD Smith as GC in Madison Wisconsin

Photo courtesy of The Neutral Project

The February 10th groundbreaking ceremony in 2023 marked a turning point. According to the developer, Bakers Place challenges conventional real estate development methods and presents a new sustainable development strategy with mass timber as the cornerstone. The start of construction meant The Neutral Project's vision of utilizing an innovative hybrid structure approach was becoming a reality.

Photo of CD Smith Construction Trucks on Street in front of Bakers Place Mass Timber Building Project in Madison Wisconsin

Photo courtesy of The Neutral Project

The innovative hybrid mass timber structure combines the strength of post-tensioned concrete, structural steel cores and columns, with glue-laminated beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor systems. This unique approach optimizes the project's functionality and environmental impact.

WHERE WE ARE: Fast forward to today, and the Bakers Place project is well on its way, with the final beams soon to be placed, paving the way for a significant construction milestone - the topping-out ceremony.

Photo of CD Smith Construction Trailer and Bakers Place Mass Timber Building Project from accross the street in Madison Wisconsin

Photo courtesy of The Neutral Project

The Neutral Project recently shared a detailed case study on their website. This insightful document delves into the project's journey, comparing mass timber with conventional construction methods. The study highlights the environmental benefits of mass timber and tackles its economic viability.

Beyond the structure, Bakers Place boasts impressive amenities that cater to a modern, sustainable lifestyle. Residents will enjoy access to a vibrant retail market, a co-working space, a community garden, and even on-site electric vehicle rentals – all designed to minimize environmental impact and create a vibrant, connected community.

Photo-of-construction-fencing-in-the-foreground-and-Bakers-Place-mass-timber-building-project-in-Madison-Wisconsin-with-crane-in-the-background

Photo courtesy of The Neutral Project

WHAT'S NEXT: The project is slated for completion in March 2025. As the final beams are placed and the building reaches its full height, Bakers Place stands tall as a symbol of innovation. 

You can learn more or stay tuned for Bakers Place project updates at cdsmith.com/bakersplace.

Date: March 29, 2024 | Author: Tracy Lisowe

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The Neutral ProjectPRESS RELEASE | BENEATH THE HARD HAT®

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Bakers Place Case Study  | The Neutral Project 02.23.2024 PRESS RELEASE

Cover Page of Bakers Place Case Study by The Neutral Project showing rendering of building in Madison Wisconsin with construction by CD Smith


Sustainable Local Developers to Build Madison's First Mass Timber High Rise  | The Neutral Project 02.2023 PRESS RELEASE

Renderings of Bakers Place luxury apartments mass timber construction high-rise building project by MGA Michael Green Architecture - HERO

Bakers Place by The Neutral Project | YouTube 09.22.2023 THE NEUTRAL PROJECT

Bakers Place is an exciting mixed-use development in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. This innovative project combines the charm of a historic 1908 bakery with a modern 14-story mass timber building. It offers a prime location just steps away from the Wisconsin State Capitol.

The development includes a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury apartments, totaling 164,707 square feet, and approximately 8,400 square feet of retail space. These apartments are designed with exposed mass timber, designer fixtures, and cutting-edge technology.

Bakers Place is not just about apartments; it's a community experience. It boasts a library, a coworking space, a fully-equipped fitness center with personal trainers and a Peloton studio, a dog park and grooming station, and an entertainment deck with a kitchen and an interactive game room. There's also a comfortable lounge for residents to relax in.

One of the most impressive aspects of this development is its eco-friendly design. Thanks to the use of mass timber construction, it achieves a remarkable 42% reduction in embodied carbon compared to traditional concrete buildings. Bakers Place is set to redefine luxury living in Madison, providing residents with top-notch amenities and a sustainable lifestyle in the heart of the city.

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Bakers Place | IN THE NEWS | The Neutral Project

Nate Helbach is a fresh face in Madison’s development scene with big ideas | ISTHMUS 02.01.2024

Pulse for the Week of September 18, 2023 | Engineering News-Record | Engineering News-Record 09.15.2023

Bakers Place - The Skyscraper Center Madison (WI) | Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) 02.2023

Bakers Place - Mass Timber WIN Project | Woodworks Innovation Network (WIN) 02.2023

Bakers Place | Michael Green Architecture (MGA) 02.2023

15-story 'mass timber' tower part of East Wash development | The Cap Times 02.21.2023

Unique, sustainable mass timber housing coming to Madison | NBC15 02.15.2023

$73.8M in construction financing secured for multifamily project in Madison | IB InBusiness Madison 01.12.2023

JLL Capital Markets Secures $73.8M in Construction Financing for Multifamily Project in Madison, Wisconsin | REBUSINESS ONLINE 01.11.2023

Pearlmark provides $21.2 million for development of 206-unit apartment development in Madison | REjournals 01.11.2023

Compass Properties JV Lands $74M for Wisconsin Project | Multi-Housing News (MHN) 01.04.2023

$73.8M in construction financing secured for Bakers Place in Madison | JLL 01.03.2023

Bank OZK and Pearlmark Provide $74M Construction Financing for Wisconsin Apartments | Commercial Observer 01.03.2023

Mass Timber Building “Bakers Place” To Be Built On East Washington | WORT FM 08.10.2021

Ambitious mass timber project in Capitol East district clears first city approval | The Cap Times 07.01.2023

A new mass timber project proposed for Wisconsin | Forest Data Network 06.17.2021

Timber Project Proposed in Madison Incorporates Historic Building | Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) 06.15.2021

Michael Green Architecture reveals a mass timber tower in Madison, Wisconsin | The Architect's Newspaper 06.10.2021

Developers propose 15-story tower for still-booming East Washington Avenue | The Cap Times 03.17.2021

Plans in early stages for 15-story 'mass timber' development on East Washington | The Cap Times 03.12.2021

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WHAT IS MASS TIMBER CONSTRUCTION? QUICK FACTS from C.D. SMITH

Mass Timber construction is an energy-efficient alternative to high-rise and commercial buildings. Wood is a natural, renewable and sustainable material for building, with a lighter carbon footprint than steel or concrete. Not only does it...(continue to mass timber construction page of cdsmith.com).

C.D. Smith building mass timber construction for Ascent world's tallest timber tower in Milwaukee

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