List of tallest buildings in Madison facts for kids

Madison, Wisconsin skyline

Welcome to a list of the tallest buildings in Madison, Wisconsin! Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin. This list will show you the highest buildings in the city.

The Wisconsin State Capitol building is the tallest building in Madison. It's a very important landmark. The tallest office building in the city center is the State Office Building.

Madison has a special rule about building heights. This rule helps protect the amazing views of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Buildings on the Madison Isthmus (a narrow strip of land) cannot be taller than the bottom of the Capitol's dome pillars. This means most buildings are kept under about 187 feet (57 meters).

The first tall building in Madison was the Churchill Building, finished in 1915. The current State Capitol was completed in 1917. It replaced an older Capitol building that burned down in 1904. Because of Madison's height rules, buildings usually don't go over 160 feet (49 meters) tall.

Tallest Buildings in Madison

Name	Image	Height ft / m	Floors	Year Built	What Makes It Special
Wisconsin State Capitol		284 / 86	6	1917	This is the tallest building in Madison. It's also the tallest building in Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee.
Van Hise Hall		243 / 74	19	1967	This is the tallest building on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. It's one of the tallest education buildings in the world. It is planned to be taken down in 2025.
UW Engineering Research Building		184 / 56	14	1968	A key building for engineering studies at the university.
UW Atmospheric Oceanic & Space Sciences Building		180 / 55	15	1966	This building has special equipment on top, like satellite dishes, for studying weather and space.
State Office Building		177 / 54	13	1939	This is the tallest office building in the main part of Madison.
151 East Wilson		172 / 52	14	2018	A modern building in the city.
University Square Office Building		164 / 50	12	2008	This complex has shops, apartments, and offices used by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Ovation 309		162 / 50	14	2015	Located close to State Street, a popular area.
Edgewater Hotel		160 / 49	15	1945	This hotel was updated in 2014, and its new tower is 160 feet tall.
The Constellation Apartments		158 / 48	14	2014	Found in the fast-growing Capitol East District.
The Galaxie		158 / 48	14	2016	Also located in the Capitol East District.
One Hundred Wisconsin Avenue		157.07 / 47.8	12	2004	This building has shops, offices, and fancy apartments. It uses special materials like granite and limestone.
Nolen Shore		149 / 45	12	2006	Named after John Nolen, a famous landscape architect for Madison.
The Loraine		143 / 43	10	1925	This building was once a hotel and is now home to apartments. It's listed as a historic place.
The Lux		143 / 43	12	2016	A modern apartment building.
Belmont Hotel/YWCA		140 / 42	11	1924	The height of this building actually helped create Madison's current height rules.
Metropolitan Place 2		135 / 41	13	2007	A residential building.
Hovde Building		134 / 41	10	1928	An older building in the city.
Churchill Building		134 / 41	9	1915	This was Madison's very first skyscraper!
City View		134 / 41	12	2014	Offers views of the city.
309 West Washington		133 / 41	11	2008	Another building in the downtown area.
The Lyric		132 / 41	11	2017	Also located in the Capitol East District.
Hyatt Place Madison Downtown		126 / 38	11	2010	A hotel in downtown Madison.
Tenney Plaza (aka The Tenney Building)		125 / 38	10	1929	This building has an Art Deco style and was Madison's first steel building.
Weston Place		122/37	12	2005	A tall apartment building on Madison's west side.
Capitol Centre Apartments building I & 2		119 / 36	16	1982	A tall apartment building in downtown Madison.
Oakwood Village tower		118 / 36	15	1975	This is a senior living center on the west side of Madison. It's one of the few tall buildings not in the downtown or university areas.