our work
1455 Church St NW
1455 Church Street NW, a six-story condominium project in the heart of Washington, DC’s 14th Street Historic District, required the preservation of two historic façades while constructing a new 65-unit development.
The Project
1455 Church Street NW, a six-story condominium project in the heart of Washington, DC’s 14th Street Historic District, required the preservation of two historic façades while constructing a new 65-unit development. The complex foundation work demanded innovative shoring, sheeting, and underpinning solutions to stabilize the façades and support deep excavation for a basement and underground parking ramp beneath an existing structure. Steele Foundation addressed varying foundation depths, large façade openings, and structural vulnerabilities with real-time design modifications and temporary masonry infills.
This historic preservation project represents the final piece in a decades-long transformation of an area once in decline following the unrest in the 1960s and now revitalized into one of DC’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Over the past 30 years, Steele Foundation has played a key role in this resurgence, contributing to multiple projects within just a few blocks.
The capstone project, completed in partnership with Holladay Corporation, Eric Colbert & Associates (architect), Ehlert/Bryan, Inc. (structural engineer), and Walter L. Phillips (civil engineer), demonstrated technical excellence through advanced 3D modeling, flexible construction sequencing, and close team collaboration. The result is a successful blend of historic preservation and modern construction.
year
2025
Location
1455 Church St NW, Washington, DC
Scope
Sheeting, Shoring, and Underpinning
Category
Multi-Family
General Contractor
Holladay Corporation
Consultants
Architect: Eric Colbert & Associates
Structural Engineer: Ehlert Bryan
Geotechnical Engineer: Piedmont Geotechnical, Inc.
Challenges and Results
The site’s dense urban environment required deep excavation adjacent to fragile structures, demanding precise underpinning, shoring, and sheeting solutions. On the west side, inconsistent foundation depths and large façade openings created vulnerabilities to lateral forces, necessitating real-time design modifications and innovative stabilization strategies.
Steele Foundation began by temporarily shoring the façades, allowing controlled demolition of the remaining structures while maintaining architectural integrity. The team employed temporary masonry infills to strengthen key openings and mitigate wind loads until the new structure could assume support. Advanced 3D modeling allowed engineers to analyze lateral pressures, optimize shoring layouts, and visualize load paths.
Through phased coordination and adaptive solutions, Steele integrated the underpinning, shoring, and excavation systems with evolving site conditions while maintaining project safety and schedule. The result was a structurally sound, historically respectful development that balanced preservation with progress, enhancing the architectural legacy of Logan Circle.
Why Steele Foundation?
Steele Foundation was selected for this technically complex project due to our longstanding relationship with Holladay Corporation and our reputation for excellence in complex urban foundation engineering. The client trusted Steele’s expertise in underpinning, shoring, and façade stabilization in constrained environments.
From the outset, our team collaborated closely with project stakeholders, offering proactive solutions that addressed the unique challenges of integrating historic façades with new construction. Our depth of experience in real-time design adjustments, advanced modeling, and adaptive construction sequencing made Steele the ideal partner to navigate the project’s structural intricacies while preserving critical architectural elements.
