EM Structural is proud to have contributed to The Prospect, an eight-story mixed-use development that brings new energy and connectivity to Charlotte’s historic Gold District. Developed in partnership with The Spectrum Companies, the project is located near Uptown and South End and reflects the continued evolution of the area into a vibrant, walkable urban destination. 

The Prospect delivers 304 residential units alongside approximately 11,500 SF of ground-floor retail space, creating a dynamic environment that blends living, dining, and neighborhood activity. Structured parking and a range of resident amenities are thoughtfully integrated into the development, supporting both convenience and quality of life for residents. 

Built on a redeveloped site, the project transformed several underutilized parcels into a cohesive community that enhances the surrounding streetscape. The design prioritizes walkability and accessibility, strengthening connections between the Gold District and nearby neighborhoods while contributing to Charlotte’s broader urban growth. 

From a structural perspective, developments like The Prospect require careful coordination to support mixed-use functionality, efficient residential layouts, and open retail environments at street level. EM Structural worked closely with the project team to deliver a system that balances performance, efficiency, and long-term durability, ensuring the building supports both its architectural vision and everyday use. 

The Prospect’s impact has been recognized with the 2024 CoStar Impact Award for Multifamily Development of the Year, underscoring its role in shaping the future of the Gold District and setting a new standard for mixed-use development in Charlotte. 

EM Structural is proud to contribute to projects like The Prospect that transform underutilized spaces into thriving communities and support the continued growth of Charlotte’s urban core.

EM Structural provided structural engineering services for Cullman House, a seven-story mixed-use multifamily development located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This award-winning project combines residential, retail, and amenity spaces within a single urban development designed to support increased density while maintaining functional and community-oriented living environments.

The development encompasses approximately 443,543 SF and includes 294 apartment units, approximately 7,000 SF of retail and co-working space, and structured parking for approximately 345 vehicles. The project integrates residential, commercial, and shared amenity spaces into a cohesive layout that supports Charlotte’s continued urban growth.

Structural Design Approach

The building consists of seven stories of construction, with the first two levels constructed using cast-in-place concrete supporting five levels of Type IIIA wood framing above. Significant grade change was accommodated across the site with the use of cast-in-place concrete retaining walls.

This hybrid structural system was selected to balance durability, structural capacity, and construction efficiency. The two-level post-tensioned concrete podium accommodates parking and ground-level uses while providing the strength and stiffness required to support the wood-framed residential structure above. The wood framing system allows for efficient construction and flexibility in residential unit layouts while meeting building code and performance requirements for multifamily construction. Additional two-story townhome units were incorporated into the cast-in-place concrete levels.

Courtyard and Amenity Integration

The residential units are arranged around two interior courtyards, which serve as key amenity and open-space features within the development.

One courtyard is fully enclosed, creating a private interior amenity space for residents.

The second courtyard opens to the north and includes a pool and approximately 3,200 SF of dedicated amenity space. The pool was incorporated into the cast-in-place concrete structure.

Overall, the project includes approximately 10,400 SF or resident amenities, distributed throughout the concrete and wood framed areas, including a rooftop amenity area. Integrating these open spaces within the structural framework required coordination between structural and architectural systems to maintain openness while supporting the surrounding building mass.

Industry Recognition

The project received the Structural Engineers Association of North Carolina (SEA of NC) New Construction Award in the $50–$100 million project category. The award recognizes projects demonstrating engineering excellence, effective collaboration, and successful integration of structural systems within the broader design.

Project Team

EM Structural worked in collaboration with Avery Hall and BB+M Architecture to develop the structural system for the project. Coordination among the design team and ownership group helped ensure the final design aligned structural performance with architectural intent and long-term building durability.

EM Structural is proud to share that The Leggett, a transformative 16-story senior housing community in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, was recently honored with the 2025 NAIOP Award of Excellence for Best Multifamily Project in Montgomery County. Led by EM Structural Principal Tom Gillard, the project reflects a shared commitment to creating resilient, service-oriented spaces that strengthen the fabric of the community.

Developed as part of a larger master-planned initiative, The Leggett delivers 267 mixed-income senior residences, including 238 affordable units, expanding access to high-quality housing in one of the region’s most dynamic urban centers. The building also integrates essential community resources, including the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) and a Holy Cross Health clinic, placing recreation, wellness, and medical services directly within reach of residents.

EM Structural engineered a durable system designed for long-term performance in a dense downtown environment. Key features include post-tensioned floor systems, reinforced concrete shear walls, underground parking, and amenity spaces such as pools, a gym, meeting rooms, a green roof, and a rooftop garden. Each element supports both the architectural vision and the building’s focus on comfort, accessibility, and community wellness.

The project’s commitment to social impact and thoughtful design was further recognized with the AIA Potomac Valley Commendation Award for Multifamily Architecture, honoring its role in enhancing resident experience and neighborhood vitality.

Congratulations to our project partners and clients, including Montgomery County HOC, KGD Architecture, and Costello Construction, for bringing this meaningful development to life. EM Structural is proud to share in its success.

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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