Adapting to Change: A Mid-Construction Redesign
At Cates Engineering, innovation meets agility in every project. One of our standout examples is The Metropolitan at State College“”a high-rise, mixed-use development located in the heart of State College, Pennsylvania. Originally commissioned by a different developer, this 12-story, U-shaped building underwent a major transformation mid-construction when the project was sold and redesign directives were handed down by the new owner.
The original design featured a structural system combining cast-in-place concrete, precast elements, and girderslab technology. However, the new owner The Metropolitan at State College LLC mandated a shift to a primarily precast construction system, requiring a comprehensive redesign to accommodate this change while keeping the project on schedule.
Engineering Challenge: Handling Heavier Loads
The new design introduced precast bearing walls and a proprietary precast floor system, significantly increasing the weight of the structure. With construction already underway, our team was tasked with a complex structural reanalysis to ensure the existing design could support the added loads and revised system without compromising safety or timeline.
This level of flexibility isn’t just a bonus it’s a hallmark of how Cates Engineering approaches every engagement. Our team worked closely with the new stakeholders to align architectural and structural goals while maintaining code compliance, constructability, and cost efficiency. These adaptive solutions enabled the seamless transition between design philosophies, preventing costly delays or demolition of existing work.
Project Highlights: Mixed-Use, Student-Oriented Design
The Metropolitan is more than just a student housing complex. The building delivers over 400 beds across 112 residential units and integrates street-level retail, office, and amenity spaces along with three levels of underground structured parking. Designed to serve both students and professionals in the area, this mixed-use approach exemplifies the evolving nature of urban residential design.
Completed in 2017, the project stands as a testament to collaboration, engineering excellence, and the ability to thrive under changing conditions.
Why Cates Engineering?
At Cates Engineering, we don’t just design structures we engineer solutions. Whether your project starts with a clean slate or hits a fork in the road, our team is equipped to step in, adapt, and deliver. The Metropolitan at State College is just one example in our Beyond the Blueprints series that showcases the value of structural foresight, technical rigor, and project resilience.
Need a partner who can adapt to any challenge? Get in touch with Cates Engineering today.
