our work
Wholey Legacy Homes
The Wholey Legacy Homes project required a carefully engineered sheeting system to support excavation for a multi-family development on a steep, space-constrained site in Arlington, Virginia.
The Project
The Wholey Legacy Homes project required a carefully engineered sheeting system to support excavation for a multi-family development on a steep, space-constrained site in Arlington, Virginia. Situated between two streets with an elevation difference of approximately 27 to 30 feet, the project involved cutting into a hillside while working beneath overhead power lines and near active utilities. Steele Foundation LLC designed and installed a robust sheeting system capable of retaining significant grade changes, providing safe working platforms, and accommodating limited access and complex site logistics. Very large steel beams were incorporated to address restrictions on temporary tiebacks, ensuring stability and performance throughout the excavation process.
Year
2023-2024
Location
1300 North Pierce St, Arlington, VA
Scope
Sheeting
Category
Multi-Family
General Contractor
Donohoe Construction Company
Challenges and Results
Steep terrain, overhead power lines, and utilities on the high side of the site created significant technical and logistical challenges. Additionally, neighboring property constraints prevented the use of temporary tiebacks, requiring the installation of large steel rakers. This increased both the complexity of the bracing system and the precision required for sequencing, particularly while installing the 40- to 50-foot beams beneath live power lines. Temporary access roads and working platforms were constructed using imported soils to safely support heavy equipment on the steep hillside.
Through detailed preconstruction planning, field reconnaissance, and continuous collaboration with Donohoe Construction and project partners, Steele minimized potential risks and addressed key challenges upfront. This disciplined approach allowed excavation to progress safely, efficiently, and with only a single minor change order, earning recognition from project leadership for the team’s careful planning and execution.
Why Steele Foundation?
Steele Foundation was selected for this project due to its extensive experience with challenging multi-family sites and longstanding relationships with Donohoe Construction and the owner, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. The team’s proven ability to integrate engineering precision with practical field solutions, along with its reputation for executing technically complex work under constrained conditions, made Steele a trusted partner.
From preconstruction through execution, Steele collaborated closely with project stakeholders to develop flexible, safe solutions tailored to the urban, site-specific constraints. The team’s disciplined planning, proactive problem-solving, and attention to detail ensured the excavation was completed efficiently, safely, and in alignment with schedule and quality expectations.