University of Baltimore to Lease Soon-to-Be Former Headquarters of The Associated

July 11, 2024 Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief

101 W. Mount Royal Avenue has served as headquarters of The Associated for 44 years. (Photo via Google Maps)

The University of Baltimore announced on Thursday, July 11, that it has agreed to lease the Krieger Building of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, at 101 W. Mount Royal Avenue.

The university said it plans to open a “UBalt Welcome Center” on the site, which served as headquarters of The Associated for 44 years. The 10-year lease begins on Sept. 1.

Last January, The Associated announced it was leaving the Krieger Building and moving to the campus of the Weinberg Park Heights Jewish Community Center, at 5700 Park Heights Avenue.

In a statement in January, The Associated said the relocation marked the final phase of an 18-month strategic plan growing out of the federation’s 2020 Centennial Anniversary campaign. The 10-acre campus in Upper Park Heights will be renamed the Goldsmith Campus in recognition of a major donation by the Goldsmith Family.

Construction on the project was scheduled to start in early spring.

“Using data from the 2020 Baltimore Jewish Community Study, an evaluation of its real estate and campus usage, and real-time trends from its agency network, this strategic plan focused on positioning The Associated and its agencies for their next century in serving the Jewish community while also strengthening its commitment to the Park Heights neighborhood, Pimlico area and the City of Baltimore,” read a statement from The Associated. “With more than a dozen Associated agencies to be located on the campus, the redevelopment will also foster a more efficient and collaborative environment for Associated network clients, community members and employees.”

Besides The Associated’s headquarters, the redevelopment of the Park Heights campus will result in a renovated Center for Sports and Wellness for the JCC, the Jewish Library of Baltimore, and the creation of multi-purpose and conference spaces for the community.

The Park Heights JCC opened its doors in September of 1960. Over the past six decades, the facility and campus have been renovated and expanded several times.

In a statement, Mark Renbaum, co-chair of The Associated’s Real Estate Committee, said, “We are thrilled that our neighbors at the University of Baltimore will utilize this property to enhance their institution and strengthen the community for all who live, work and study in Mount Vernon. While this is a bittersweet moment for our organization as we leave this building we have called home for the past 44 years, we will continue to maintain a strong presence in Baltimore City as we relocate our headquarters to our newly renovated Park Heights campus. The lease with an option-to-buy arrangement is a win-win for both The Associated and UBalt, and we look forward to a bright future for both organizations.”