In the heart of downtown Madison, a new construction project is challenging conventional building methods while addressing urban housing needs. Madison native Nate Helbach, co-founder and CEO of Neutral and not yet 30 years old, is spearheading the adoption of mass timber construction with his 517 W. Main St. project.
“This project is a rare example of ‘middle housing’ bringing gentle infill density to the urban downtown,” Helbach said in an email interview. “Historically, urban zoning in the United States prioritized either high-rise apartment developments or single-family home zones,” rather than focusing on medium-density housing.
The 517 W. Main St. development will include 33 rental apartments, ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, to downtown Madison’s housing inventory. The four-story building includes underground parking and will feature a café on the ground floor. Construction began in fall 2024 after the property was acquired earlier that year, and is expected to be finished in August…