Tidewater Construction, a New York firm, began excavation toward the end of June 1907.
Quicksand was soon discovered.
The geology of the site consisted of 16 feet (4.9 m) of soil, 4 feet (1.2 m) of watery sand, 27 feet (8.2 m) of quicksand, and then a very deep vein of hard, blue clay.
The surprising discovery of quicksand required extensive soil engineering by superintendent of design L.J. Lincoln (Bacon's chief assistant) and structural engineer F.A. Burdette.
Their solution was to redesign the foundation so the building could "float" on the bed of quicksand.

The T.B. Bryson company of New York City was the general contractor for the cofferdam.
To create the cofferdam, Bryson excavated to the watery sand.
About 600 steel sheets, manufactured by Carnegie Steel and each 35 feet (11 m) long and 12 inches (30 cm) wide, were then driven completely into ground.
This left the sheets embedded in about 4 feet (1.2 m) of the blue clay.
Sheet-driving was subcontracted to the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. Each steel sheet dovetailed with the one next to it, and soft pine splines inserted into the dovetails.
The wood swelled when it came into contact with water, helping to ensure a tight seal.

Sheet-driving began in the middle of the west side, and worked counter-clockwise.
Because 1218 Euclid had a very shallow foundation, a two-story concrete wall had to be erected to support building while excavation occurred.
A drop hammer rather than a steam hammer was used on the east side as well, as sheet-driving occurred within 8 inches (20 cm) of the adjacent structure's wall.
Once the sheet-driving reached the east side, work began in the middle of the west side and worked clockwise around the site.
Special care needed to be taken on the Euclid Avenue side of the building due to the danger of cave-ins.
The work met at the northeast corner of the site.

The Bryson company then drove large, round wooden piles through the quicksand and into the clay below.
The interior of the cofferdam was excavated, and timber braces (each 12 by 12 inches (30 by 30 cm) in thickness and 8 feet (2.4 m) long) were placed 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) apart to help stabilize the sheeting until the foundation and interior walls could be constructed.
Tidewater Construction, a New York firm, began excavation toward the end of June 1907. Quicksand was soon discovered. The geology of the site consisted of 16 feet (4.9 m) of soil, 4 feet (1.2 m) of watery sand, 27 feet (8.2 m) of quicksand, and then a very deep vein of hard, blue clay. The surprising discovery of quicksand required extensive soil engineering by superintendent of design L.J. Lincoln (Bacon's chief assistant) and structural engineer F.A. Burdette. Their solution was to redesign the foundation so the building could "float" on the bed of quicksand.
The T.B. Bryson company of New York City was the general contractor for the cofferdam. To create the cofferdam, Bryson excavated to the watery sand. About 600 steel sheets, manufactured by Carnegie Steel and each 35 feet (11 m) long and 12 inches (30 cm) wide, were then driven completely into ground. This left the sheets embedded in about 4 feet (1.2 m) of the blue clay. Sheet-driving was subcontracted to the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. Each steel sheet dovetailed with the one next to it, and soft pine splines inserted into the dovetails. The wood swelled when it came into contact with water, helping to ensure a tight seal.
Sheet-driving began in the middle of the west side, and worked counter-clockwise. Because 1218 Euclid had a very shallow foundation, a two-story concrete wall had to be erected to support building while excavation occurred. A drop hammer rather than a steam hammer was used on the east side as well, as sheet-driving occurred within 8 inches (20 cm) of the adjacent structure's wall. Once the sheet-driving reached the east side, work began in the middle of the west side and worked clockwise around the site. Special care needed to be taken on the Euclid Avenue side of the building due to the danger of cave-ins. The work met at the northeast corner of the site.
The Bryson company then drove large, round wooden piles through the quicksand and into the clay below. The interior of the cofferdam was excavated, and timber braces (each 12 by 12 inches (30 by 30 cm) in thickness and 8 feet (2.4 m) long) were placed 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) apart to help stabilize the sheeting until the foundation and interior walls could be constructed.
Halle Building