IMEG provided structural, MEP, and technology engineering design for the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the 1,100,000-sf Broadway Trade Center in Los Angeles, CA. The former May Company department store originally opened in 1907.
Phase 1 included removing approximately 57,000-sf of floor space to create light wells, a courtyard, new mezzanine and rooftop levels that increased the building’s peak height to 16 stories above grade. Phase 2 of the renovation consisted of the fit-out of approximately 500,000-sf of office and hotel space, 200,000-sf retail and restaurants, new mezzanine floors (multiple), and rooftop additions that include pools, gardens, and landscaped areas.
IMEG structural engineers completed a seismic risk assessment and evaluation of the entire building using the California Historic Building Code. The building was originally constructed in four phases over a 20-year span in the early 1900s and limited as-built drawings and information were available for the first two phases. This information was necessary to complete the seismic evaluation, and IMEG engineers completed site survey and investigation to gather the missing as-built information including existing material testing of lateral force resisting elements that was then used in the evaluation.
Additionally, the design team was challenged to maintain or restore as many historical elements as possible and add new elements without affecting the existing historical features of the structure. To do this, the team limited the demolition of existing historical elements.
IMEG structural engineers performed linear dynamic analysis to evaluate the existing structure and designed the new special concrete shear walls to take all the lateral loads with new foundations.
