Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons in Milwaukee Complete

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Gilbane Building Company has completed the 1.1-million-square-foot Tower and Commons project for Northwestern Mutual in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along the lakefront. This project allows Northwestern Mutual to better serve the expanding needs of its more than 4 million policy owners and clients. Gilbane served as construction manager on this downtown project with JV partner CG Schmidt.

The 32-story tower adjoins the two-block-long, three-story space known as the Commons. Amenities include a three-acre public green space with abundant gardens and trees, a coffee shop open to the public, an interactive museum, 75,000-square-foot food server on the second and third floors, 25,000-square-foot fitness center and outdoor balconies on the 31st and 32nd floors.

Construction began in 2014, and local community impact was a high priority for the team from day one. Early on, Gilbane worked closely with the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, Milwaukee’s Office of Small Business Development, the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades, local affinity groups including the ethnic chambers of commerce and other key stakeholders who support and engage local and small construction firms and related services. Full resources were dedicated to support the owner’s commitment to the city of Milwaukee’s SBE requirements and Residents Preference Program.

Small Business Enterprises were awarded more than $121.5 million in contracts and commitments of applicable construction and professional services contracts as of the end of 2016. Milwaukee residents eligible under the RPP performed 45.1 percent of the construction hours on the project for this same period. The final results on these commitments will be presented to the city of Milwaukee by year end 2017.