In the heart of Madison, Wisconsin and Silicon Valley, sustainability meets technology. Nate Helbach, Founder and CEO of The Neutral Project, is leading a transformative movement in real estate investing and development. With a keen eye for environmental stewardship and community well-being, the Neutral team are redefining the landscape of urban living while democratizing real estate investing, one sustainable project at a time.
The company’s journey began in Madison, Wisconsin, with Nate Helbach’s vision to challenge conventional development strategies and build inspiring living spaces that minimize the environmental impact of development. Helbach leveraged his background in finance and sustainability to launch The Neutral Project in 2020. The company has three core goals:
- Thriving Communities: We design spaces that enrich lives and foster a strong connection with the environment.
- Sustainable Solutions: Carbon neutrality is a priority, and we actively seek innovative technologies to minimize our environmental footprint.
- Empowering Investors: Accredited investors have the unique opportunity to join us in creating a sustainable future through direct investment, reaping the benefits of our innovative and sustainable solutions.
“My journey in real estate began with a stark observation: while many developers claim “sustainability,” their actions often fall short, prioritizing immediate gains over long-term environmental well-being. Neutral was born from a desire to break this mold. We envision a future where buildings actively contribute to a thriving ecosystem, fostering restorative lifestyles and strong communities. Residents yearn for spaces that not only elevate their well-being but also leave a positive mark on the planet. Neutral strives to deliver on this aspiration. Beyond creating exceptional communities, Neutral empowers individuals to be part of the solution. We offer accredited investors the opportunity to directly participate in shaping a sustainable future through real estate projects like The Edison, a groundbreaking mass timber development. Investing with Neutral goes beyond financial returns; it’s a chance to contribute to a legacy of environmental stewardship.” – Nate Helbach said.
The Neutral Project’s ongoing development, Bakers Place, recently celebrated its topping out ceremony on April 11th with the structure set to be completed next month and fully functional in Q1 of 2025. Located at 849 E. Washington Ave the new building will feature 206 thoughtfully designed for-rent apartments over 14 stories with the best in class amenities including a library, co-working, conference room, PK Fitness Center, mercantile and cafe, sky lounge, managed community vegetable and herb gardens, arts and crafts room, outdoor entertainment lounge, outdoor kitchen, pet spa, art murals, and more. Bakers Place will be a catalyst for a new era of sustainable building development in Madison and the Midwest.
The groundbreaking of Bakers Place showcases a unique mass timber design that exemplifies The Neutral Project’s commitment to sustainability, expertise, and innovation. As Madison’s first mass timber development, Bakers Place signifies progress toward a more sustainable and regenerative future. Mass timber, or more specifically cross-laminated timber, which is what Bakers Place primarily uses for its structural material, is a wood panel that consists of several layers of kiln-dried lumber boards stacked in alternating directions, bonded with structural adhesives and pressed to form a solid, straight, rectangular panel. Mass timber has recently emerged as an innovation and a tremendous step forward in sustainable development. Remarkably, it acts as a carbon sink, capturing and storing carbon dioxide within the wood throughout the tree’s lifespan. This inherent capability, along with its durability and strength, positions mass timber as a promising solution for eco-conscious urban development. Bakers Place proudly incorporates glue-laminated timber beams and cross-laminated panels as part of its innovative design.
Looking ahead, The Neutral Project is actively working on its next project, The Edison, a 32-story building featuring 383 Class-A multifamily units and 7,182 square feet of retail space on the ground floor to be built in Milwaukee. The new development is to become the tallest mass timber structure in North America and the company plans to break ground on the project in September of this year.
For accredited investors, The Neutral Project has the opportunity for you to invest in The Edisio. Through direct investment opportunities like The Edison and future projects to come, The Neutral Project is making a concentrated effort to give greater access to what has historically been an exclusive asset class for investing – real estate.
As the Wisconsin project leads the way in sustainable development, The Neutral Project stands at the forefront, shaping the future of urban living. With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community, Helbach and his team are not just investors and developers; they are visionaries, creating spaces that inspire, nurture, and endure our communities and the ecosystem.
Be Part of the Thriving Future:
Join Neutral’s mission to cultivate a brighter, more sustainable and regenerative future for generations to come. Explore our communities and investment opportunities to discover a new way of living that elevates your life while leaving a positive mark on the planet. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.theneutralproject.com/
