Morabito Consultants provided structural engineering services for the transformation of the historic Government House, an 1889 mansion in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, into The Ivy Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant. The project preserved the character of the historic mansion while introducing modern hospitality functions, guest rooms, suites, public spaces, restaurant areas, and spa amenities.
The project included full renovation of the existing structure and a new three-story addition extending to the south property line. This work required careful integration of new construction with the historic building fabric, existing foundations, constrained urban site conditions, and modern building systems.
Significant structural challenges included design of a deep foundation system using helical piles in place of conventional spread footings, modifications to basement wall systems, and coordination of complex excavation and foundation conditions within the tight urban site.
Additional structural design addressed reconstruction of unique architectural elements, including a four-story octagonal structure at the rear of the building. This feature required detailed framing, lateral support, and connection design tied into the existing historic structure.
Throughout construction, Morabito Consultants provided structural revisions and coordination to accommodate evolving architectural and operational needs, including interior modifications, support for new structural features, and integration of modern building systems within the historic framework.
The completed Ivy Hotel successfully preserves the character of a historic Mount Vernon mansion while delivering the structural performance, luxury amenities, and refined hospitality experience required for a contemporary boutique hotel.