Award Overview
Story
Miller Consulting Engineers provided structural engineering services for the seismic upgrade and rehabilitation of Spencer Court, a historic two-story building originally constructed in 1918 and damaged by fire. The project transformed the structure into a modern, interconnected commercial space while preserving significant historic elements and maintaining the building's existing footprint within a constrained urban site.
The award-winning retrofit incorporated innovative seismic strengthening solutions, including the SR Wall System, concrete moment frames, and soil-anchor foundations to improve seismic performance without expanding beyond property boundaries. MCE also engineered a 90-foot self-supporting elevator tower, skybridge, and rooftop deck, creating connectivity with adjacent buildings and increasing usable tenant space. By preserving existing structural elements wherever possible and integrating contemporary seismic design with historic preservation goals, the project successfully balanced resilience, functionality, and architectural character.
