Frederick, MD
Visitation Hotel Fire
Scope/Solutions
On 1 April 2023, a fire broke out on the roof of the former Visitation Academy building. At the time of the fire, the 1840s building was being redeveloped as a mixed-use site with a sixty-seven-room boutique hotel and two condominium buildings. SGH, who was serving as the structural engineer for the hotel renovation project, investigated the condition of the structure following the fire and designed repairs.
SGH evaluated the areas of the structure affected by the fire and water used to extinguish it, and designed repairs to address the structural damage. Highlights of our work include:
- Rapidly responding to the fire and visiting the site to identify the extent of damaged structural framing
- Assessing the residual capacity of fire-damaged, heavy-timber trusses and roof framing
- Collaborating with the contractor to develop remedial work plans that included retaining portions of the roof framing to brace the existing walls until the damaged components could be replaced
- Designing new roof framing to reinstate the original load path
- Preparing construction documents for repairing existing roof framing and installing new metal plate-connected wood trusses in areas that were not salvageable
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Commercial
Client(s)
O2J Visitation
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening
Key team members


Additional Projects
Mid-Atlantic
Capitol Crossing, 200 Massachusetts Avenue
Capitol Crossing is a five-building development centered between Capital One Arena and Union Station. SGH collaborated with the general contractor at 200 Massachusetts Avenue and provided building enclosure consulting services during the construction phase.
Mid-Atlantic
655 New York Avenue
The development at 655 New York Avenue is centered around a new ten-story office building over ground-level retail and below-grade parking. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design in collaboration with Shalom Baranes Associates and designed structural modifications for tenant fitouts.