Building Info

800 E. Wisconsin Ave. Photo by Mariiana Tzotcheva.
  • Address:
    800 E. Wisconsin Ave
  • Taxkeys:
    3921546000, 3930971000
  • Architect:
    Pickard Chilton
  • Status:
  • Assessed Value (Land):
    $34,807,800
  • Assessed Value (Improvements):
    $273,522,800
  • Assessed Value (Total):
    $308,330,600
  • Assesment Year:
    2023
  • Year Built:
  • Size:
    1,100,000 sq-ft

A 32-story office tower built to replace the 16-story East Building (known by some as the “brown building”) located near the corner of Mason and Cass streets.

Northwestern Mutual Tower – June 2014 Renderings

June 2014 Interior Renderings

Photos

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Activity

IDDateTypeDescription
COM-ALT-19-008452019/10/22Permit
Commercial Alteration Permit
ELEC-FA-19-000442019/02/20Permit
Fire Alarm Permit
COM-ALT-18-010642018/12/28Permit
Commercial Alteration Permit
COM-ALT-18-010172018/12/08Permit
Commercial Alteration Permit
COM-ALT-18-009342018/11/06Permit
Commercial Alteration Permit
NV_PMT-18-1002018/05/25Permit
Noise Variance Permit.
ELEC-18-006172018/02/02Permit
Electrical Permit.
ELEC-18-003192018/01/19Permit
Electrical Permit.
PBFS-18-000212018/01/06Permit
Plumbing-Fire Protection Permit.
PLB-17-041922017/09/29Permit
Building Plumbing Permit.
PLB-17-040032017/09/21Permit
Building Plumbing Permit.
ELEC_LV-17-003872017/07/27Permit
Low Voltage Permit.
ELEC-FA-17-003532017/07/06Permit
Fire Alarm Permit.
PLB_HYD-17-000992017/06/10Permit
Hydrant Permit.
ELEC-17-024122017/04/26Permit
Electrical Permit.
PWEC-17-010072017/04/13Permit
ROW Excavation City Contract.
PLB-17-011982017/03/24Permit
Building Plumbing Permit.
HVAC-GEN-17-008852017/03/23Permit
HVAC General Permit.
ELEC-17-016982017/03/21Permit
Electrical Permit.
ELEC-FA-17-000092017/01/25Permit
Fire Alarm Permit.
HVAC-GEN-16-007742016/11/30Permit
HVAC General Permit.
PLB-16-009012016/11/18Permit
Building Plumbing Permit.
PLB_WS-16-000322016/11/09Permit
Water Service.
PLB-16-007232016/11/08Permit
Building Plumbing Permit.
HVAC-GEN-16-004842016/11/05Permit
HVAC General Permit.
IDDateDescriptionType

Content referencing Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons

See Inside Downtown’s Biggest Construction Project

See Inside Downtown’s Biggest Construction Project

Northwestern Mutual reaches one-year mark in tower overhaul.

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual’s Unbuilding Changes Skyline
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual’s Unbuilding Changes Skyline

North Building being stripped to its core to create a second glassy skyscraper.

Northwestern Mutual Considers Options For University Club

Northwestern Mutual Considers Options For University Club

Including events, a restaurant and hotel. Plan commission okays zoning change.

Convenience Store Coming to Northwestern Mutual Campus, Starbucks Moving

Convenience Store Coming to Northwestern Mutual Campus, Starbucks Moving

Public-facing store will offer snacks, grab-and-go items and more.

Milwaukee Downtown introduces new Holiday Lights Festival attraction: Ornament Trail
Press Release

Milwaukee Downtown introduces new Holiday Lights Festival attraction: Ornament Trail

15 larger-than-life, hand-painted ornaments will be displayed along Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual Makes ‘Skyline-Defining’ Bet On Downtown
Eyes on Milwaukee

Northwestern Mutual Makes ‘Skyline-Defining’ Bet On Downtown

Insurance company celebrates construction start on $500 million tower overhaul.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual Names Tower Team
Eyes on Milwaukee

Northwestern Mutual Names Tower Team

And wins approval for street closure. Second glassy tower to be built by team that helped create signature 2017 tower.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Strongly Supports Northwestern Mutual Deal
Eyes on Milwaukee

Council Strongly Supports Northwestern Mutual Deal

City would provide $30 million subsidy for $500 million tower redevelopment.

Eyes on Milwaukee: City Board Endorses $30 Million For NM’s $500 Million Tower Project
Eyes on Milwaukee

City Board Endorses $30 Million For NM’s $500 Million Tower Project

Subsidy also includes $10 million for bike, park and street improvements.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual To Create Second Glassy Tower With $500 Million Investment
Eyes on Milwaukee

Northwestern Mutual To Create Second Glassy Tower With $500 Million Investment

Company will completely overhaul existing building, create pedestrian street and relocate Franklin employees to Downtown.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Milwaukee’s 10 Most Valuable Properties
Eyes on Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s 10 Most Valuable Properties

Some may surprise you. All will make you feel better about your own your property tax bill.

Eyes on Milwaukee: 2018 Mayor’s Design Award Recipients
Eyes on Milwaukee

2018 Mayor’s Design Award Recipients

Twenty projects honored, ranging from new skyscraper to two new parks.

Eyes on Milwaukee: NM Tower Hired 800 City Residents
Eyes on Milwaukee

NM Tower Hired 800 City Residents

Tower project also gives $127 million in contracts to disadvantaged small businesses.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Inside Northwestern Mutual Tower
Eyes on Milwaukee

Inside Northwestern Mutual Tower

The state's biggest office building is a stunner, as our story and photos reveal.

Photo Gallery: Northwestern Mutual Raises The Flag
Photo Gallery

Northwestern Mutual Raises The Flag

New tower, new flagpoles and a ceremony honoring veterans.

Friday Photos: NM’s Tower is “Substantially Complete”
Friday Photos

NM’s Tower is “Substantially Complete”

And the new downtown high-rise makes for some dramatic photos.

In Public: Our First Great Glassy Skyscraper
In Public

Our First Great Glassy Skyscraper

The Northwestern Mutual Tower is an architectural triumph.

Friday Photos: Downtown’s New Apartment Tower Rises
Friday Photos

Downtown’s New Apartment Tower Rises

Northwestern Mutual's 34-floor apartment tower is quickly climbing.

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual’s Second Tower Rises
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual’s Second Tower Rises

Massive apartment tower will be one of tallest buildings downtown.

Developers Meet Local Hiring Goals

Developers Meet Local Hiring Goals

Bucks arena, Northwestern Mutual tower meet city's residents preference goals.

Bader Philanthropies hires general contractor for global headquarters
Press Release

Bader Philanthropies hires general contractor for global headquarters

Bader Philanthropies hires one of Milwaukee fastest-growing, minority-owned companies as general contractor for global headquarters.

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual Writes Name in Sky
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual Writes Name in Sky

No more 'quiet company,' its name written atop the towering high-rise.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Continues to Exceed Hiring Commitments
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Continues to Exceed Hiring Commitments

Hours worked by those hired through RPP total 465,682, or 45 percent of the total hours worked on the project.

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual’s Second Downtown Tower
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual’s Second Downtown Tower

Amenities include ninth-floor swimming pool, outdoor fire pit, 34th-floor party room.

More Than Downtown Development Needed

More Than Downtown Development Needed

City leaders at economic summit say more development must occur in neighborhoods.

City Residents Hiring Program Falls Short

City Residents Hiring Program Falls Short

Promising effort employs minorities in construction, needs more monitoring and funding.

Friday Photos: New Tower Scrapes The Sky
Friday Photos

New Tower Scrapes The Sky

Glass facade on Northwestern Mutual's new tower is nearly complete.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Inside Walker’s Landing Apartments
Eyes on Milwaukee

Inside Walker’s Landing Apartments

Final residential development on Beerline adds 114 apartments and great views.

Eyes on Milwaukee: How to Create Central City Jobs
Eyes on Milwaukee

How to Create Central City Jobs

Northwestern Mutual's new tower is a shining example of how to create jobs in city.

Friday Photos: Westin Hotel Rising
Friday Photos

Westin Hotel Rising

It will add 220 high-end hotel rooms to complex anchored by state's tallest building.

Northwestern Mutual Joined by Two Dozen Milwaukee and Wisconsin-based Companies for Interior Work on Tower and Commons
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Joined by Two Dozen Milwaukee and Wisconsin-based Companies for Interior Work on Tower and Commons

Group includes more than a dozen small business enterprises to help company meet hiring commitment

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual Tower Gets Glassy
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual Tower Gets Glassy

But brace yourself, the skywalks are coming.

Friday Photos: Northwestern Mutual’s Tower Hits the Heights
Friday Photos

Northwestern Mutual’s Tower Hits the Heights

The 32-story tower is nearly at its maximum height.

Eyes on Milwaukee: MAM Offers To Buy O’Donnell Park, War Memorial
Eyes on Milwaukee

MAM Offers To Buy O’Donnell Park, War Memorial

County taxpayers will save at least $9 million in non-cash transaction.

Northwestern Mutual Selects General Contractor for Downtown Mixed-Use Development
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Selects General Contractor for Downtown Mixed-Use Development

The family-owned and operated C.D. Smith brings more than 80 years of experience in construction management and general contracting to the Northwestern Mutual project.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual Updates Tower Design
Eyes on Milwaukee

Northwestern Mutual Updates Tower Design

Apartment tower gets an additional floor and other changes.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Construction Costs Will Rise Slightly
Eyes on Milwaukee

Construction Costs Will Rise Slightly

Report also says Milwaukee building boom should continue through 2016.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Construction Starts on Westin Hotel
Eyes on Milwaukee

Construction Starts on Westin Hotel

220-room hotel will be the closest hotel in the city to the lakefront.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Wraps Up Successful 2015
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Wraps Up Successful 2015

Currently there are approximately 504 workers on the site daily, and that number will continue to increase as the Tower grows.

Friday Photos: New NM Tower Keeps on Rising
Friday Photos

New NM Tower Keeps on Rising

Northwestern Mutual's tower is taking its place in city's skyline.

Friday Photos: Quick Pace for NM Tower and Commons
Friday Photos

Quick Pace for NM Tower and Commons

It will be the state's largest office building, and construction is progressing quickly.

Northwestern Mutual exceeding hiring commitment for downtown building project
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual exceeding hiring commitment for downtown building project

Report details involvement of small business enterprises and Milwaukee residents

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Reaches Major Milestone
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Reaches Major Milestone

The first piece of glass curtain wall has gone up on the southwest corner of The Commons building.

Friday Photos: Milwaukee’s Biggest Building Rises
Friday Photos

Milwaukee’s Biggest Building Rises

Northwestern Mutual's 32-floor building will be the state's biggest and its basic structure has been mostly framed out.

MMSD awards grants for green infrastructure projects
Citation

MMSD awards grants for green infrastructure projects

Plats and Parcels: 1,449 New Apartments Coming
Plats and Parcels

1,449 New Apartments Coming

And more are on the way, all within a two-mile radius of City Hall.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons: Construction & Travel Update
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons: Construction & Travel Update

Wednesday and Thursday, May 27 - 28, Mason Street will be closed to through-traffic from Van Buren to Cass Street

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons: “The Big Pour” a Big Success
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons: “The Big Pour” a Big Success

Construction crews worked around the clock Friday and Saturday, March 27-28.

Friday Photos: NM’s 27-Hour Concrete Pour
Friday Photos

NM’s 27-Hour Concrete Pour

Photos and a time-lapse video of the project that poured 10,000 cubic yards of concrete for what will become the state's biggest building.

Plats and Parcels: More Delays in Lakefront Development
Plats and Parcels

More Delays in Lakefront Development

County board's contradictory proposals on O'Donnell Park and court case affecting The Couture continue to stall potential development.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Preparing for 27-Hour Concrete Foundation Pour
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Preparing for 27-Hour Concrete Foundation Pour

Mar. 27 and 28 around-the-clock pour features 10,000 cubic yards of concrete, 250 construction workers, 50 cement trucks, 1,000 trips

Friday Photos: The Northwestern Mutual Tower Begins
Friday Photos

The Northwestern Mutual Tower Begins

NM is laying the structure for huge, 32-floor complex that will be largest building in the state.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons creates more jobs for city residents
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons creates more jobs for city residents

We’re proud to partner with Benson Industries on this important phase of our project.

Plats and Parcels: Northwestern Mutual Could Demolish a City Block
Plats and Parcels

Northwestern Mutual Could Demolish a City Block

Will entire city block be used to build 1,000 car parking garage? And will The Couture dispute ever get settled?

Northwestern Mutual joined by five dozen Milwaukee and Wisconsin-based companies for downtown development
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual joined by five dozen Milwaukee and Wisconsin-based companies for downtown development

Group includes more than three dozen small business enterprises to help company meet hiring promises

WRTP/BIG STEP Board of Directors taps Mark Kessenich as New President and Chief Executive Officer
Press Release

WRTP/BIG STEP Board of Directors taps Mark Kessenich as New President and Chief Executive Officer

After an extensive nationwide search, WRTP/BIG STEP, a nationally recognized, workforce development intermediary is excited to announce that Mark Kessenich has been named President and CEO.

Northwestern Mutual Building Project On Track to Exceed Hiring Goals
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Building Project On Track to Exceed Hiring Goals

44% of work completed on Northwestern Mutual building has been performed by City of Milwaukee residents.

Job fair offers employment, experience working on new NWM tower
Press Release

Job fair offers employment, experience working on new NWM tower

Job fair offers employment, experience working on new NWM tower

Northwestern Mutual BuildingMKE: We Believe in Milwaukee – Let’s Build!
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual BuildingMKE: We Believe in Milwaukee – Let’s Build!

Mariachi music, blue and gold streamers, and big bites of dirt helped kick off the groundbreaking for the future Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Tuesday morning.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Milwaukee’s Biggest Building Breaks Ground
Eyes on Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Biggest Building Breaks Ground

"A beautiful day in Milwaukee" and for assembled power brokers as Northwestern Mutual's new skyscraper gets underway.

Yesterday’s Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual Insurance, 1886
Yesterday’s Milwaukee

Northwestern Mutual Insurance, 1886

A fire burned the Newhall House hotel to the ground, but a local company would build a new home on the site.

Community JOBS Resource Fair is Monday, July 21
Press Release

Community JOBS Resource Fair is Monday, July 21

Event will showcase opportunities available during $450M NML HQ project

Mark Kessenich to Lead Organization
Press Release

Mark Kessenich to Lead Organization

Mark Kessenich has been named interim President and CEO of WRTP/BIG STEP.

Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr. Questions Sale Price on O’Donnell Park Parking Structure
Press Release

Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr. Questions Sale Price on O’Donnell Park Parking Structure

He Says Proposal May Have to "Go Back to the Drawing Board"

Supervisor Alexander Expresses Support for Sale of Parking Structure
Press Release

Supervisor Alexander Expresses Support for Sale of Parking Structure

Calls Sale of O'Donnell Park Parking Garage to Northwestern Mutual a "Win-Win-Win"

Idea of Sale of O’Donnell Parking Structure  ​Will Have Public Input
Press Release

Idea of Sale of O’Donnell Parking Structure ​Will Have Public Input

County Board Will Hold Hearings

Proposed Sale of O’Donnell Parking Structure Will Benefit Entire Community
Press Release

Proposed Sale of O’Donnell Parking Structure Will Benefit Entire Community

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says he is excited about the opportunity of partnering with Northwestern Mutual in a potential sale of the O’Donnell Parking Garage.

Northwestern Mutual Proposes to Purchase, Enhance O’Donnell Park
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Proposes to Purchase, Enhance O’Donnell Park

Investment to improve parking structure, provide significant benefits to Milwaukee County

NML Tower and Commons project small business session is Monday, June 30
Press Release

NML Tower and Commons project small business session is Monday, June 30

Information will be shared for small and disadvantaged businesses interested in opportunities available during $450M NML HQ project

Friday Photos: The Deconstruction of Northwestern Mutual
Friday Photos

The Deconstruction of Northwestern Mutual

Floor-by-floor, NML's 1970s office tower is coming down.

Northwestern Mutual Hires General Contractor for Signature Development on Milwaukee’s Lakefront
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Hires General Contractor for Signature Development on Milwaukee’s Lakefront

Project committed to providing opportunities to local residents, small businesses

Northwestern Mutual Narrows Contractor Candidates
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Narrows Contractor Candidates

Local, small businesses encouraged to seek subcontracting opportunities

Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 State of the City Address
Press Release

Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2014 State of the City Address

Milwaukee February 24, 2014 As Prepared for Delivery

Friday Photos: Destroy This Building, NML Declares
Friday Photos

Destroy This Building, NML Declares

A second NM building, at Wells and Van Buren, is also being torn down.

Master Class Provides Architectural and Engineering Students  In-Depth Look at Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons
Press Release

Master Class Provides Architectural and Engineering Students In-Depth Look at Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons

NM has teamed up with the design architect and development manager for the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons to conduct a Master Class series that engages local architecture, interior design, engineering and real estate students in elements of the company’s downtown Milwaukee expansion.

Friday Photos: Deconstructing NML
Friday Photos

Deconstructing NML

Floor by floor, the east office building will be deconstructed and the materials recycled. Our photos capture the project's early stages.

Free Construction Trades Classes Fill Need

Free Construction Trades Classes Fill Need

North side program has taught some 400 people, helping meet post-recession needs in the industry.

Northwestern Mutual Selects Contractor to Deconstruct East Office Building
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Selects Contractor to Deconstruct East Office Building

Northwestern Mutual today announced it has selected Veit, a specialty contracting and waste management firm with an office in the Milwaukee area, to serve as project manager for the deconstruction of the company’s east office building in downtown Milwaukee.

Wangard Breaks Ground on New Apartment Development in Park East Corridor
Press Release

Wangard Breaks Ground on New Apartment Development in Park East Corridor

Avenir apartments expected to open September 2014

Does Lakefront Still Lack a Vision?

Does Lakefront Still Lack a Vision?

Panelists at Discovery World conference debate plans and opportunities for Milwaukee's lakefront. A report with photos.

Eyes on Milwaukee: More Northwestern Mutual Skyscraper Renderings
Eyes on Milwaukee

More Northwestern Mutual Skyscraper Renderings

Northwestern Mutual's new office tower isn't just a skyscraper.

First Look at NML’s New Skyscraper

First Look at NML’s New Skyscraper

The stunning, curved glass design for the 32-floor tower is by Pickard Chilton of New Haven, Connecticut.

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Unveiled
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons Unveiled

Signature structure, public spaces reflect growth of the company and confidence in the city

City a National Leader in Skyscrapers

City a National Leader in Skyscrapers

Since 2000, Milwaukee ranks 10th among 67 big cities in high-rises built per capita. Part I of a two-part series.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Riverwest 24 Registration Gets Huge Turnout
Eyes on Milwaukee

Riverwest 24 Registration Gets Huge Turnout

Hundreds began arriving as soon as 5:30 a.m. to sign up for the event. And as we stood in line more new developments for Milwaukee were announced.

Council vote clears way for new NML downtown HQ tower
Press Release

Council vote clears way for new NML downtown HQ tower

The Common Council voted today to approve the creation of Tax Incremental District 78, which will help fund the addition of a 1.1 million square foot office tower to the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance campus in downtown Milwaukee.

Make Way for Wisconsin’s Largest Building!

Make Way for Wisconsin’s Largest Building!

Plan for new NML building has been expanded to make it the state's largest building.

Northwestern Mutual Tower Advances

Northwestern Mutual Tower Advances

Proposal that's a "celebration of Downtown" sails through the city's Redevelopment Authority.

GMC Statement on Northwestern Mutual Development
Press Release

GMC Statement on Northwestern Mutual Development

This is a game-changing investment by Northwestern Mutual and the city of Milwaukee.

Quiet Company Could Build City’s Tallest Building

Quiet Company Could Build City’s Tallest Building

An examination of the who, what, where, and when of the new Northwestern Mutual office tower.

Northwestern Mutual Announces Commitment to Downtown Milwaukee
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual Announces Commitment to Downtown Milwaukee

Planned office tower means 2,800 downtown jobs

Northwestern Mutual to Announce Major Development in Downtown Milwaukee
Press Release

Northwestern Mutual to Announce Major Development in Downtown Milwaukee

Local elected officials, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and business, community and civic leaders will join Northwestern Mutual Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Schlifske as he announces plans to expand the company’s downtown Milwaukee headquarters with a proposed high-rise tower to replace Northwestern Mutual’s east building.

Building data on this page, including assessment information, was last updated on April 5, 2024

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