Martin’s Eastwind
The project at Martins Eastwind involved a transformation of a hall into a gorgeous, French, contemporary mansion.
The job involved the complete makeover of the exterior façade of a building that was heavily used for catering functions. Great care had to be taken during the building process to provide for the ongoing daily functions at the facility.
Specifically, the job used dryvit on the exterior surface to begin the conversion. The look was enhanced with the addition of many ornate elements, including special column pilasters with scamazzi capitols. Balustrades adorn the roof, with urns adding to the visual appeal.
Windowing required special attention since many of the windows added have no access from the inside of the building. CAM devised an ingenious anchor system to allow for easy window removal in the event of a breakage. The windows were aluminum-clad wood with spandril glass, which enhances the mansion’s exterior.
Despite 60 holes being drilled into the roof to accommodate the transformation, and 3 months of rain inside, operations proceeded without disruption.
1820 Lancaster Street – Union Box Co. Building
CAM Construction provided construction management and design/build services to Mason Dixon Capital Management for Lancaster Square in Fells Point. Savings of over 5% were achieved by utilizing the Construction Management Guaranteed Maximum Price delivery method. CAM utilized a value engineering process that permitted the project to proceed on a fast track basis to meet the developer’s needs.
The Lancaster Square renovation consisted of a group of five separate structures originally built in the 1880s and varying significantly in construction materials and floor plate elevations. The main building, The Union Box Co., is a timber-framed, three-story, 16,000-square foot brick warehouse. The other buildings are a two-story, steel-framed building, a two-story steel- and wood-framed building, and a 3-story brick townhouse.
Among the main challenges to this project was integration of the five structures into a single cohesive development while completely renovating the existing structures. The project called for major restoration including extensive masonry cleaning and re-pointing as well as cleaning and sealing the wood beams. The integration of the five structures unified 12 different roof elevations all of which were re-roofed and to which several large wood decks were added. Approximately 120 historic windows were replaced as part of the renovation.
Both a new five-story and three-story elevator shaft were installed within the existing footprint of the building. The project also added three stair towers, two of which were steel, and one was a concrete scissor stair.
As a part of the redevelopment, CAM constructed a three-story, light gauge addition between two irregularly shaped brick walls to integrate the structures. The project added another three-story addition that provides space for 10 luxury apartments atop the existing two-story structure.
At the main entrance a railroad motif with asphalt brick pavers, solid maple ties and stainless steel tracks lead visitors and residents from Lancaster Street to inside the Union Box Co. building. Once inside, the building glass walls seamlessly interface with the large wood timbers and provide aisles and office space while maintaining the historical character of the building. The apartment entrance is accessed through a large teak door flanked by tubular steel frames with stainless steel rods and an illuminated barrel vault canopy awning. The teak door gate is electronically interlocked with a secondary all-aluminum entrance at the other end of the courtyard, providing security for the apartment residents.
Lakeland Elementary/Middle School
The project was a multi phased renovation to renovate an existing 40,000 sq. ft. Baltimore City School and to bring its programs, life safety and major systems up to current standards. Work included renovations to the 1965 structure, a 40,000 sq. ft. fifteen classroom and media wing addition with ancillary spaces, brick masonry restoration and an addition to the gymnasium and kitchen.
All major systems were removed and updated, as were all finishes. The new elevator was installed within the confines of the existing building, providing a challenge to complete the work in confined quarters. Once the project was fully underway, foundations for the new addition poured and shop drawings submitted BCPS elected to triple the size of the new addition.
CAM worked with the School Board on a CM basis to revise all pricing, complete programming, make proper changes to the building and to let contracts in the approved amount which would increase the size and value of the addition.
Italian Sensations
This project consisted a tenant fit-out of a 3,000-sq. foot space at the Green Briar Plaza.
This empty space was transformed into an exciting Italian eatery with strong red and green accents.
Upon entering Italian Sensations, your attention is drawn to the extensive use of architectural drywall bulkheads with interesting built-ins. Over the eating area is an interesting, stepped bulkhead in the shape of an octagon. The bulkhead over the counter features hand-brushed, stenciled paneling.
The counter is composed of a rich black Corian counter with a stainless steel display. The countertop also features a brilliant display of architectural overlapping copper plates. This counter encircles the full service commercial kitchen responsible for the fine Italian delicacies.
The centerpiece of the eating area is a series of circular, cone-shaped benches that were fabricated out of hardwood veneer in the field. These benches also feature wainscoting and ceramic tile border accents.
Throughout the facility is architectural and drop-down lighting over a patterned ceramic tile floor.
How-Nor Office Building
Work included design, interior demolition, complete renovation, and tenant fit-up of an existing, 53,000-square foot, three-story masonry structure. The project was accomplished by a “fast track” method of construction over a 90-day period to accommodate the State agency’s requirements.
Located at the very busy intersection of North Avenue and Howard Street, removal of debris and delivery of new materials presented challenges for this renovation project. Constructed in the early 20th century, this landmark building includes both masonry details and historic windows typical of the period
CAM was both construction manager as well as developer for this important adaptive re-use project.
Boyle Buick Renovations
This project involved extensive additions and renovations to the existing Boyle Buick flagship site. The exterior façade and entryway were improved with exterior column accents. Renovations were also made to the offices, engine bays, and waiting rooms.
All business operations continued without interruption during construction. As the owner stated, “keeping operations going is critical to auto dealerships”. The owner enjoyed our open-book delivery method and hands-on construction management approach.
“They were sensitive to our needs and worked with us to minimize the impact to our ongoing operations. In my business that is very important.” Chris Boyle- Owner
1712 Thames Street – Celie’s Waterfront Inn
Celie’s Waterfront Inn on Thames Street project consisted of the renovation of a row home in the historic district of Fells Point, which, at the start of construction, was in a total state of disrepair.
The plans called for the total gutting of the interior of the house. A new stair was constructed to provide access to the second and third floor suites and access to the new roof terrace. Entry to this stair is provided by a separate, gated entrance on the side of the building.
The second floor suite is 1,200 square feet, with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bath. The third floor suite is 800 square feet, with one bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bath. Both of these suites are accented with exposed brick walls that required major re-pointing. The roof terrace was constructed using wood decking surrounded by a wrought iron railing.
The ground floor contains retail space with an exposed brick wall, and the exterior façade was restored to reveal a store front that differentiates it from other structures in the area. At the rear of the retail space is a terrace secured by the construction of a privacy wall and brick pavers to provide an inviting patio.
This unique project transformed a building with limited use to a modern retail and residential structure.
Archbishop Borders School at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
CAM was selected as the Construction Manager at Risk for this multi-phase renovation to the former Sacred Heart of Jesus School; now renamed the Archbishop Borders School. This is the only multi-lingual Catholic school run by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and was created following the consolidation of Baltimore’s Catholic Schools to serve the culturally diverse population in the East section of Baltimore City.
Throughout construction, the school classrooms were used for Sunday School classes, necessitating close coordination between construction activities and the Church. The lower level Great Hall, now used as the Cafeteria for this K-8th school, remained in use by Church committees nearly until the school year began. With its new servery, the school now provides lunches for all of its students.
Despite the modest budget allowed for the first phase of renovations, CAM was able to renovate the majority of the existing restrooms, provide several new restrooms, re-roof the school building, provide all new finishes, and create the needed emergency exit platform and staircase for the Kindergarten classes.
The existing wood closet cubbies were completely restored, and the original hardware was refurbished for use by the faculty. New white boards and tack boards were carefully installed over the existing slate chalk boards and trimmed out using moldings that match the original. The classrooms are differentiated by complex, yet cost-effective, patterned, vinyl tile floors, and the newly epoxy-painted hallway floors include colored accent circles to match the classrooms.
The new Administrative Suite was created at the main entrance to the school, with offices for the Principal, Vice Principal, Business Manager, and a welcoming Reception Area. The large fixed window at the Reception Area has been designed and installed to accommodate the planned multi-story elevator addition.
Phase 3 work included complete renovations to the 2nd floor administrative wing, new covered entry for students, modifications and enlargement of the covered entry to allow for student drop off at the new entry, refurbishment and new finishes, new windows and lighting at the gymnasium, new windows, and a new restroom at the lower level cafeteria.
Current work includes construction of the new playground.
