EM Structural Engineers is no stranger to architectural innovations—but recently, two of our projects, Elizabeth House III and Alexander House brought us to the cutting edge of affordable housing.

The term “affordable housing” conjures many images in popular culture—none of them particularly flattering. In movies and television, characters who live in affordable housing are often relegated to small, dilapidated living spaces.

But with Elizabeth House III and Alexander House, EM Structural Engineers has helped create incredible living spaces for mixed-income residents to thrive in.

The Elizabeth House III—located in Silver Spring, Maryland, and completed in 2022—is a colorful and dynamic high-rise building that features 67 mixed-income senior housing rental units. Residents have access to an amenity space, a health clinic, and a Montgomery County Recreation Center that features a swimming pool, gymnasium, exercise space, and meeting rooms. The building also features three levels of underground parking, and will eventually provide a green roof, biorientation, and rooftop garden.

Also located in Silver Spring, Maryland is the Alexander House Renovation. Originally built in 1992, this affordable housing project consisted of renovating all 305 units, in addition to the lobby and amenity spaces, and the replacement and upgrade of MEP systems and elevators. On top of impressive structural improvements, EM Structural Engineers spearheaded efforts to update the building’s appearance through new canopies, handrails, and façade elements.

Neither of these projects would have been possible without the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, which provided funds for both projects. Established in 1974, the HOC owns, leases, and operates housing and obtains public and private funds which allow the commission to provide housing, arrange for social services, and more. Their mission is to provide affordable housing and other supportive services that enhance the quality of life of low- and moderate-income individuals and families throughout Montgomery County.

Their innovative model differs from standard affordable housing models, in that they integrate affordable housing throughout the county. No longer are these projects relegated to poorer neighborhoods or different sections of the same building—instead, lower and moderate-income housing is housed in the same building—within the same communities, and with the same amenities, as standard and higher-end housing. The Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission has pioneered this model, and local governments throughout the country continue to adopt their revolutionary practices.

The combination of creating new state-of-the-art buildings, renovations, and their progressive housing model enables the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission to achieve its mission of strengthening families and their communities. EM Structural Engineers is proud to have been a part of these incredible projects.

Prose NoDa, a new 302-unit apartment complex is underway in the NoDa community of Charlotte. Once complete, it will boast two open courtyards with a resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen and grilling areas, a dog park, private coworking offices, a fitness center, and a clubroom for residents.

It is expected that the first units at Prose NoDa will be available in 2024.

EM Structural is proud to partner with Cline Design and Alliance Residential on this exciting venture!

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We are excited that construction has begun on a new $80-million mixed-use development, named Waldo’s, in Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta, GA!

This development is a mix of hotel rooms, office space, retail, and townhomes, and is expected to “start moving in tenants” in the second quarter of 2023, after being stalled by the pandemic after its 2019 groundbreaking.

We are excited to partner with TVS Design for this new project!

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A new luxury development at Birkdale Golf Club is now underway, and will include 210 luxury apartments, a 140-room hotel with a conference center, and 45,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space to the market when complete.

It is expected that Birkdale Golf Club should reopen in the third quarter of 2023, after renovations to its clubhouse and a realignment of the ninth hole. In 2021, $500,000 was invested to convert the greens to Ultra-Dwarf Bermuda grass at the 18-hole course.

The first of two commercial buildings will deliver in the fourth quarter of this year. That 28,500-square-foot building will be two levels. No tenants have been named to date, but Gustafson says a full-service restaurant and fast-casual concepts are on his radar.

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