Atlantic executed the full-scale masonry and stone restoration of the historic St. Elizabeths Center Building, a 500,000-square-foot complex of interconnected 19th-century masonry structures forming the centerpiece of the new Department of Homeland Security Headquarters on the St. Elizabeths West Campus.

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Constructed between 1860 and 1905, the complex featured multi-wythe load-bearing brick façades, corbelled details, arched openings, and cast-iron window hoods - all of which required stabilization before new structural systems could be introduced. Atlantic’s scope included the temporary stabilization of the existing façade, allowing for interior demolition and the construction of a new concrete structure within the preserved historic envelope.

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Following stabilization, Atlantic completed over 37,000 square feet of full-depth masonry rebuilds, replaced 1,100 deteriorated wood lintels, replicated 200,000 custom face bricks, and installed 900,000 new interior brick units to reconstruct the structural skin. Work also included repointing over one million linear feet of joints with custom lime mortars and the restoration or replacement of 1,200 carved stone elements in brownstone, granite, and sandstone.

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Over 70 Atlantic restoration specialists were on site for more than two years, coordinating daily with the General Services Administration, Shalom Baranes Architects, and John Milner Associates to ensure that every material, technique, and joint profile met the project’s strict historic preservation standards.

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The result: a structurally re-stabilized, historically accurate façade that preserves the architectural legacy of St. Elizabeths while housing the modern Department of Homeland Security Headquarters.

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