CommercialRenovation
Historic Warehouse Adaptive Reuse
Conversion of 1920s warehouse into modern office space while preserving historic character and structural integrity
Location
Tacoma, WA
Completed
2022
Budget
$5M - $7M
Role
Structural Engineering Services
Key Performance Indicators
$1.2M
Historic Tax Credits
Federal and state credits secured
93%
Preservation Score
Historic review board rating
100%
Code Compliance
Full modern code compliance
95%
Tenant Occupancy
Pre-leased before completion
Challenges
Balancing preservation with modern requirements:
- Deteriorated timber framing requiring selective replacement
- Meeting modern seismic codes while preserving character
- Historic preservation requirements limiting modifications
- Hazardous materials abatement (asbestos, lead paint)
- Deteriorated timber framing requiring selective replacement
- Meeting modern seismic codes while preserving character
- Historic preservation requirements limiting modifications
- Hazardous materials abatement (asbestos, lead paint)
Our Approach
Preservation-focused engineering:
1. **Structural Assessment**: Detailed evaluation of existing timber and masonry
2. **Seismic Upgrade**: Concealed steel bracing and foundation improvements
3. **Material Matching**: Sourced period-appropriate materials for replacements
4. **Building Systems Integration**: Hidden mechanical systems preserving open spaces
1. **Structural Assessment**: Detailed evaluation of existing timber and masonry
2. **Seismic Upgrade**: Concealed steel bracing and foundation improvements
3. **Material Matching**: Sourced period-appropriate materials for replacements
4. **Building Systems Integration**: Hidden mechanical systems preserving open spaces
Results & Outcomes
Successfully transformed historic structure:
- 35,000 sq ft of Class A office space with original character
- Qualified for federal and state historic tax credits
- Became anchor for neighborhood revitalization
- Featured in regional architecture awards program
- 35,000 sq ft of Class A office space with original character
- Qualified for federal and state historic tax credits
- Became anchor for neighborhood revitalization
- Featured in regional architecture awards program
Project Tags
renovationhistoricadaptive-reuseseismictimber