The Silva Apartments

In the historic and colorful Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, construction of 1630 Columbia Road NW will soon begin after nearly a decade in planning, acquisition and design. The 10-story building with 172 luxury apartment units and two levels of below-grade parking will occupy the site of a former surface and underground parking facility next to the Scottish Rite Temple.

Designed by international firm Grimshaw Architects to LEED standards, the $120 million development by EastBanc Inc. and partner Mitsui Fudosan will offer high-end, modern units averaging 900 sf, augmented with ample lifestyle amenities. A percentage of the units will be set aside for affordable housing.

To inform the design process, EastBanc engaged Schnabel Engineering DC (SEDC)* to provide geotechnical engineering services. We conducted a subsurface exploration of the site to identify subgrade composition and characteristics, as well as the potential impacts of demolition and construction on adjacent structures, particularly the Temple. Our geotechnical engineering report contained recommendations for design and construction of temporary support of excavation, foundations, floor slabs, earthwork, below-grade walls, and sub-drainage. We advised underpinning the Temple’s lowest level to avoid exerting any lateral pressures on the new building’s below-grade walls.

^{*SEDC is an affiliate of Schnabel Engineering, Inc.
Photo: Kevin Weber}