The $4 million transformation project is the winner of the 2018 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Baltimore WaveMaker Award, which honors Maryland’s most successful real estate developments, and swept a variety of regional American Institute of Architects (AIA) awards. These 2018 awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in architectural design, include the Maryland People’s Choice Award, Chesapeake Bay’s Honor Award, and a Baltimore Design Award.
McLaren Engineering Group performed an initial feasibility study and condition assessment and worked to maintain the structural integrity of the floor framing for this transformation project.
From there, the firm modified the sloped roof framing to convert it into occupiable office space and assisted with a vertical and horizontal expansion. This includes a new floor for additional offices, an outdoor terrace, plus a new lobby entrance and new stair and elevator locations to free up floor space. The structure now features linear planks, which subtly parallels a ship’s hull, highlighting Annapolis’ unique role as a maritime city.
“We’re proud that the project has helped to revitalize this commercial section of West Annapolis and the office now offers cutting-edge features, a sleek design and ample office space for leading businesses,” said McLaren Engineering Group Vice President and Maryland Regional Director, David McLaren. “We were happy to partner with GriD Architects to bring a wholly unique vision to life.”
Since re-opening in 2018, 706 Giddings Ave. has attracted prestigious tenants including two national law firms and a private equity firm and has spurred two additional redevelopments nearby. Commenting on its unique, modern architecture and upscale features, GriD Architects Co-Founder and Principal, Alick Dearie, said, “The intentionality of the design, paired with its attention to the surrounding context, allows the project to be a catalyst for the rest of the neighborhood.”
The West Annapolis neighborhood, which saw commercial growth stall for nearly a decade, has traditionally featured medical offices and boutique retail shops constructed during the 1960s and ’70s. Identified as an “area of opportunity” in neighborhood studies, West Annapolis remains a gateway to the historic downtown, as it is highly trafficked yet retains walkable space. The 706 Giddings Ave. building capitalizes on that dynamic by offering outdoor seating, the neighborhood’s first public bike rack and its first electrical vehicle charging station.
Dearie continued, saying, “This project elevates the neighborhood’s existing design paradigm by implanting a modern tone that bridges the residential and commercial scales of the area.”
The building, owned by MRE Properties, was developed by Solstice Partners and designed by GriD Architects, with landscape architecture services from Campion Hruby, construction from Plano-Coudon and civil engineering by Bay Engineering, plus structural engineering from McLaren Engineering Group.
About McLaren Engineering Group
For over 40 years, McLaren Engineering Group has provided innovative, customized engineering solutions for more than 15,000 projects. With over 200 employees in 10 offices, McLaren is licensed in 49 states and serves 10 key markets. With experts in numerous engineering disciplines – and a passion for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking – McLaren can address any project’s specific range of design requirements with technical excellence. McLaren has offices in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., New York City, N.Y., Albany, N.Y., Lehigh Valley, Pa., Middletown, Conn., Baltimore, Md., Roswell, Ga., Orlando, Fla., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Oran, Algeria.www.mgmclaren.com
About GriD Architects
The Annapolis, Md.-based GriD Architects, which boasts an extensive portfolio, is a firm dedicated to interconnectivity. The firm serves as an eager collaborator with its clients, other design professionals, engineers, artists, scientists and others. GriD Architects cares deeply about its profession and strives to balance the art of design with the craft of building. The firm’s work seeks to be a result of an incredible network of people, places and ideas. gridarchitects.com/.
About Plano-Coudon
Since 1998, Plano-Coudon has brought big-company sophistication, small-company flexibility, an engineer’s mindset and unparalleled enthusiasm to a broad range of construction projects. Based in Baltimore City, Md., Plano-Coudon is a contractor of choice for educational facilities from pre-schools to grad schools. We have developed deep expertise in healthcare, life sciences, mission critical, industrial, commercial, sustainable, residential and religious/nonprofit projects. Meanwhile, our Small Projects Division provides dedicated, expert service to clients in all sectors who need smaller construction jobs completed or building maintenance and support services. Plano-Coudon provides construction expertise, sound advice and outstanding performance in an environment that is positive and respectful. plano-coudon.com/.
