Overview
A transformation of a long-vacant, three-story historic masonry structure in Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District into a mixed-use development with eight units of workforce housing above a ground-floor commercial artist studio. Originally constructed circa 1900 as a horse stable and later used as an industrial warehouse, the building required a collaborative and technically rigorous approach to realize its adaptive reuse potential while preserving its historic character.
The project was delivered on an exceptionally accelerated timeline, with design and construction completed in approximately eight months. This pace, uncommon for a historic adaptive reuse effort, was achieved through close integration and continuous coordination between the architect, structural engineer, and contractor. Early structural involvement enabled rapid decision-making, proactive risk management, and alignment of construction sequencing with design intent.
Structural engineering efforts focused on stabilizing and adapting the existing masonry and timber structure to support new residential occupancy above an active commercial use. Extensive masonry repairs and stabilization restored load-carrying capacity, while selective modifications to load paths accommodated new interior bearing conditions with minimal disruption to the historic fabric. A key intervention involved the removal of a failing heavy timber roof system, dismantled by hand, followed by the introduction of new framing strategies, including interior framed walls and full-span trusses, to increase headroom and support modern residential layouts. Despite restrictive site constraints, the completed structure now provides eight residential units priced below 80 percent of Area Median Income, supporting housing diversity and neighborhood revitalization. A 100-foot wrap-around mural further integrates the project into the surrounding arts community, helping anchor the neighborhoods of Charles North, Greenmount West, and Barclay. The project demonstrates how thoughtful structural engineering can unlock reuse opportunities in constrained urban environments and extend the service life of historic construction.