Story

Nestled in Washington, DC’s vibrant Logan Circle neighborhood, the 1455 Church Street NW project exemplifies Steele Foundation’s innovative approach to urban construction and historic preservation. This seven-story, 65-unit condominium development is a historic property that required meticulous engineering to overcome complex structural challenges while preserving the architectural character of two historic façades. Steele Foundation played a critical role in the project by designing and installing the sheeting, shoring, and underpinning systems necessary to stabilize the historic façades and support the excavation, allowing the basement to be excavated and built along with a ramp under one of the existing buildings to accommodate underground parking. The team’s work began with the temporary shoring of the façades, allowing the demolition of the rest of the structures while safeguarding key architectural elements. The project posed intricate challenges, particularly on the west side, where varying foundation depths, elevations, and thickness required extensive field investigations and real-time design modifications. Some sections of the old structure were to remain intact, while others required demolition, which demanded precise underpinning and shoring solutions to ensure stability. Another challenge involved stabilizing the west façade, which featured large openings that left it vulnerable to lateral forces. To mitigate this risk, Steele collaborated with the client to temporarily fill critical openings with masonry, providing stability until the new structure could take over the load-bearing functions. This approach ensured the structural integrity of the façade throughout construction. Advanced 3D structural modeling played a key role in the project’s success. The Steele team’s models allowed the engineering team to visualize potential distortions, analyze lateral loads from wind pressures, and optimize the layout of the shoring system. Multiple iterations were tested to achieve the optimal balance of vertical support, stiffness, and load transfer, ensuring the stability of the preserved and new structures. Collaboration was essential at every stage. Steele worked closely with the Holladay Corporation, project architects, and engineers to address intricate design challenges, including adjusting the placement of an underground parking ramp to accommodate the underpinning and shoring. By maintaining open communication and a flexible approach, the team made necessary adjustments that accommodated the underpinning and shoring systems without compromising the project timeline or safety. Steele’s extensive experience on Church Street, where the company has completed multiple projects since the 1990s, further contributed to the project’s success. Familiarity with the area’s unique characteristics and community expectations helped the team navigate logistical constraints, address neighborhood concerns, and deliver a high-quality result that enhances the architectural landscape of Logan Circle. The 1455 Church Street NW project showcases Steele Foundation’s technical excellence, innovative problem-solving, and commitment to preserving DC’s architectural heritage. By overcoming complex foundation challenges and fostering strong collaboration, Steele has again demonstrated why it remains a trusted partner for high-stakes urban construction projects.