November Section PDH & Networking Event
Elms Fells Point
Adaptive Resue on the Waterfront
Presented by:
David McLaren, PE
Brian Riggs, PE
Daniel Murphy, PE Diver
Topic:
Baltimore’s former historic Wolfe Street warehouse has been transformed into Elms Fells Point, the city’s new 285-unit multifamily community on the waterfront. McLaren Engineering Group played a pivotal role in this conversion, reimagining the existing two-story structure and adding a wood-framed vertical extension that aligns with the Fells Point Urban Renewal Plan's design goals. A portion of the warehouse was also demolished and replaced with a 5-story, 307,500 square-foot wood-framed addition, skillfully constructed on the existing foundations. Due to floodplain considerations along Baltimore Harbor, ground-level garages were integrated into the project. The site includes a restored bulkhead and a public promenade, enhancing community connectivity to the waterfront. McLaren's in-house P.E. divers conducted meticulous above and underwater inspections, providing recommendations to improve the system's longevity with the design of a new bulkhead that reutilized existing tiebacks and piles. The development is proudly aligned with the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Silver certification, underscoring its commitment to urban sustainability.
About the Speakers:
David McLaren, PE
Dave has over three decades of experience in structural engineering analysis, design, and project oversight. He has spent his career working in the Baltimore area, first at George Evans Associates, and later opening McLaren’s Baltimore office, where he leads the firm’s structural team. He has directed projects of various sizes, shapes, scopes, and complexities across the country, including iconic adaptive reuse, multi-story residential facilities, mixed-use structures, parking garages, historic buildings, and entertainment venues. With a specialty in the renovation and expansion of existing facilities, Dave provides expert guidance for evaluating structures and recommending the most appropriate and economical structural systems to achieve the client’s goals.
Brian Riggs, PE
An experienced structural engineer and project manager, Brian has designed complex projects ranging from adaptive reuse renovations and high rise new construction to mid-rise wood-framed construction and tenant fit-outs. His technical expertise includes modeling and designing buildings from concept through construction documents, applying familiarity with a range of materials, including steel, concrete, wood framing, and masonry. As a senior associate, Brian excels in coordinating structural issues with architects, MEP engineers, and contractors to achieve the optimal outcome for project stakeholders.
Daniel Murphy, PE Diver
Daniel is a professional engineer and ADCI-certified commercial diver specializing in the structural analysis and rehabilitation design of waterfront infrastructure, including bulkheads, piers, esplanades, and bridges. His work involves performing comprehensive underwater and topside inspections as well as developing repair designs aimed at improving the condition and extending the service life of existing in-water structures.
