Building Conversion

Project Description

Red Oak Properties converted this under-used office building in downtown Manchester to much-needed apartments. Team Engineering is proud to have collaborated with Dennis Mires Architects and North Branch Construction to provide structural engineering services.

Originally built in 1871, the 5-story building is wood-framed with a structural brick masonry. We designed modifications to the adjustment of multiple load-bearing walls, and accounted for added loads from rooftop mechanical units and a generator. We designed rigid steel frames in new window openings on the right side that allowed for the optimization of apartment living spaces while maintaining the lateral load capacity of the wall. We also designed a new wood floor structure to restore the 5th floor, in the area previously used as a 2-story Masonic temple.

The project also included the construction of a new steel-framed restaurant on the right-side of the building. Team Engineering designed the roof for large amount of snow drift loading possible from it abutting a tall building wall.