Morabito Consultants provided structural engineering and building envelope restoration services for the historic masonry façade at Henderson’s Wharf, a residential and hospitality complex in Baltimore’s Fells Point waterfront district. The project originated from a comprehensive façade assessment that identified widespread masonry deterioration, including cracking, displaced brickwork, deteriorated mortar joints, weathered cornice elements, corroded shutter anchors, and water infiltration concerns affecting the long-term performance of the building envelope.
Working within the constraints of a historic masonry structure, Morabito Consultants developed a phased restoration program that prioritized life-safety concerns while establishing a framework for future rehabilitation efforts. The repair program included brick replacement, extensive mortar repointing, crack stabilization using helical reinforcement and masonry stitching techniques, installation of masonry anchors, sealant replacement, masonry cleaning and sealing, repairs to deteriorated cornices and architectural masonry features, and reinforcement of connections between the exterior masonry walls and supporting structure. Parking garage masonry repairs were also completed to restore structural integrity at critical bearing wall locations.
Construction activities focused on the most severely deteriorated façade areas, including an 80-foot section adjacent to the neighboring property along Fell Street, where comprehensive restoration was performed from grade to the upper levels. The project included replacement of approximately 2,050 brick units, more than 15,000 linear feet of mortar joints, 832 masonry anchors, and extensive crack reinforcement and waterproofing improvements. Follow-up monitoring completed in 2023 and 2024 confirmed that the repairs remained in good condition and showed no evidence of ongoing building movement or deterioration at the restored locations.