About the author  ⁄ D. Matthew Stuart, P.E., S.E., P.Eng, F.ASCE, F.SEI, A.NAFE, SECB

D. Matthew Stuart is Senior Structural Engineer at Pennoni Associates Inc. in Philadelphia, PA. (mstuart@pennoni.com)

Part 5: Wrap-Up

A four-part series of articles in late 2021 (Part 1, STRUCTURE, September, Part 2 – October, Part 3 – November, Part 4 – December) discussed the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, PA. This article wraps up the discussion with information obtained from the Presbyterian Historical Society, including the original 1895 specifications.

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Part 4: Structural Investigations

This four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, PA (Part 1, STRUCTURE, September 2021, Part 2, October 2021, Part 3, November 2021). Part 4 continues the discussion of the structural investigations, including the Gray columns, new floor openings, and demolition of the second-floor mezzanine to allow for a new second-floor loft. Numbered photos are provided in the print version of the articles; lettered photos are provided only within the online versions of the articles.

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Part 3: Structural Investigations

This four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Part 1, STRUCTURE, September 2021, Part 2, October 2021). Part 3 continues the discussion of the structural investigations – specifically the main roof and original mechanical penthouse – conducted to understand the existing structure better. Numbered photos are provided in the print version of the articles; lettered photos are provided only within the online versions of the articles.

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Part 2: Adaptive Reuse and Structural Investigations

This four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, PA (Part 1, STRUCTURE , September 2021). Part 2 includes a discussion of the ongoing adaptations during construction and the structural investigations conducted to better understand the existing structure. Numbered photos are provided in the print version of the articles; lettered photos are provided only within the online versions of the articles.

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Part 1: Building History and Structure

This four-part series discusses the adaptive reuse of the Witherspoon Building in Philadelphia, PA. Part 1 includes the building history and description of the structure, including previous structural additions and alterations. In addition, numbered photos are provided with the print version of the articles, and additional lettered photos are provided with the online version of the articles.

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Part 4: Demolition Special Inspection and Post Demolition Assessment

This four-part series (Part 1, STRUCTURE, November 2019, Part 2, January 2020, Part 3, April 2020) discusses how the collapse of a building during a demolition operation in Philadelphia in 2013, which resulted in several fatalities, led to the enactment of a City Ordinance to prevent similar future calamities.

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Part 3: Adaptive Reuse Feasibility Analysis

This four-part series (Part 1, STRUCTURE, November 2019, Part 2, January 2020)  discusses how the collapse of a building during a demolition operation in Philadelphia in 2013, which resulted in several fatalities, led to the enactment of a City Ordinance to prevent similar calamities. As a result of the Ordinance, the author became involved with the structural investigation, review of the Site Safety Demolition Plan, and Demolition Special Inspections associated with the adaptive reuse of the Apex Hosiery Company Building located in Philadelphia.

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Part 2: SMI Concrete Flat Plate and Site Safety Demolition Plan Peer Review

This four-part series (Part 1, STRUCTURE, November 19) discusses how the collapse of a building during a demolition operation in Philadelphia in 2013, which resulted in several fatalities, led to the enactment of a City Ordinance to prevent similar future calamities. As a result of the Ordinance, the author became involved with the structural investigation, review of the Site Safety Demolition Plan, and Demolition Special Inspections associated with the adaptive reuse of the Apex Hosiery Company Building located in Philadelphia.

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Part 1: History of the Philadelphia Demolition Ordinance and the Apex Hosiery Building

This four-part series discusses how the collapse of a building during a demolition operation in Philadelphia in 2013, which resulted in several fatalities, led to enactment of a City Ordinance to prevent similar future calamities. As a result of the Ordinance, the author became involved with the structural investigation, review of the Site Safety Demolition Plan, and Demolition Special Inspections associated with the adaptive reuse of the Apex Hosiery Company Building located in Philadelphia.

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STRUCTURE magazine