The Crescent at Fells Point

Owner: The Hanover Company
General Contractor:
Civil Engineer: STV, Inc.
Architect: Design Collective
Structural Engineer: SCA Consulting Engineers

The Crescent at Fells Point, developed by The Hanover Company, is a mixed- use development in Baltimore, Maryland. This eight-story concrete-framed structure, featuring a partial below-grade level, includes 252 luxury apartments and 10 four-level waterfront townhomes. The completion of the project revitalized a previously underutilized waterfront site through brownfield reclamation and urban infill.

D.W. Kozera, Inc. provided comprehensive geotechnical engineering services to address the site’s complex subsurface conditions. Investigations revealed layers of Man-placed fill, soft alluvial soils, and remnants of historic waterfront structures complicating foundation design. For the main structure,
driven steel piles were used to penetrate dense Potomac soils to support the building. The waterfront townhomes were supported by reinforced concrete mat foundations, with a ground improvement program utilizing soil surcharging to address settlement risks posed by the soft alluvial soils. Additionally, the partial below-grade level required waterproofing systems and a geotextile-stabilized subgrade to manage tidal groundwater and hydrostatic pressures effectively.


The Crescent at Fells Point is a great example of urban brownfields revitalization in Baltimore City. By addressing complex geotechnical challenges, D.W. Kozera, Inc. contributed to the project’s success.
Recognized with multiple awards, including Delta Associates’ Best Mid-Atlantic High-Rise Apartment Community and NAHB’s Pillars of the Industry Award, The Crescent exemplifies the impact of thoughtful engineering and collaborative development.