We helped to preserve a community landmark through work on the neglected East End Theater in Richmond’s historical Church Hill neighborhood. We handled the structural engineering needs for the renovation as well as the expansion.

Since no documentation was available for the building, Draper Aden Associates utilized new technology to create an interactive building information model (BIM) for the structure. This scanning technology was critical to the project because it showed that, although the roof was gone, the roof framing could still be used, saving the developer $100,000 and making the renovation more feasible.

We utilized self-supporting floors in order to create commercial space and two floors of apartments. Challenged by poor soil conditions and the need to maintain the existing shell of the theater, we solved a variety of issues using innovative solutions and returned the theater to a vital community asset. After completion, the project houses the Liberty Public House restaurant on the first floor and 22 apartments available for lease.

Learn more about our adaptive reuse expertise here.

Services:

Structural Engineering

Awards:

2016 ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Grand Award

2016 ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Pinnacle Award

2016 ACEC Engineering Excellence National Recognition Award

2015 ULI Best Renovation or Adaptive Reuse