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Land is a scarce commodity, a fact evident in many of our densely populated cities. In highly urbanized centers of culture, efficient use of land is such a necessity that excavating deep below-grade and below the groundwater table to create multiple cellar levels is often considered in the development of many mid-to-high rise towers. In recent years, several buildings with deep subterranean space have been successfully developed even when located within challenging geologic conditions and adjacent to fragile and historic structures. The Marriott Marquis Convention Center in Washington, DC is an example of development using these excavation techniques. Such extensive excavations are made possible by the organization of an experienced design team who use knowledge, advanced analytical tools, and innovative building techniques to construct rigid and watertight excavation support systems and integrate them to act as permanent basement walls and load-carrying foundation elements.