Historic Masonry Building Renovation

Structural System

Load-bearing masonry walls and heavy-timber floors, supplemented with new steel framing at openings and a strengthened diaphragm-to-wall load path.

Existing Conditions

Century-old load-bearing masonry with deteriorated mortar at the parapets, undocumented floor framing, and prior unpermitted alterations discovered during assessment.

Scope of Work

• Structural condition assessment and documentation of the existing building
• Design of new floor openings, stair framing, and mezzanine
• Diaphragm and wall-anchorage strengthening for the change of occupancy
• Construction-phase support with exploratory-opening responses

Design Challenges

• No original drawings; member sizes and conditions verified in the field
• Change of occupancy triggering existing-building code structural provisions
• Preserving exposed masonry and timber as architectural finishes

Engineering Approach

• Targeted exploratory openings to confirm framing before design commitments
• Wall anchors and diaphragm strengthening detailed within floor depth to keep timber exposed
• New steel at openings designed to bear on verified masonry, with repair details for deteriorated areas

Construction Considerations

• Repointing and anchor installation sequenced with tenant-space buildout
• Field-condition protocol established so discoveries were documented and dispositioned quickly

Outcome

Sample outcome summary: the building was reoccupied under its new use with the historic interior finishes retained. Replace with a verified project narrative.

Project Images