A well-known Westside location where thousands used to shop is now a place where hundreds go to work.
With the opening of its new world headquarters on West Lexington Street, Catholic Relief Services contributes to the ongoing Westside “Superblock” renaissance.
“We?re proud to be a part of the revitalization of this part of the city,” Ken Hackett, Catholic Relief Services president and chief executive officer, said Wednesday at an opening ceremony at the facility.
Catholic Relief, which assists the poor and disadvantaged in 100 countries, recently moved from its home on West Fayette Street to the old Stewart?s department store building on West Lexington Street. About 400 employees occupy 170,000 square feet of renovated office space in the building.
When Catholic Relief began looking for a new home about seven years ago, the organization saw about 50 properties in and around Baltimore before finding a location “in our own backyard,” Hackett said.
Catholic Relief program expenses totaled $561 million in 2006, the third straight year programming exceeded more than $500 million dollars, according to the organization.
“Our operations are vibrant, and we want to contribute to the life of the city,” Hackett said.
Mayor Sheila Dixon praised Catholic Relief for its efforts to improve human development and recognized the organization as a vital piece of the Superblock puzzle.
“You?re going to have some new neighbors in the Superblock,” Dixon said. “[The developers] are committed to making it happen, sooner than later.”
Catholic Relief is leasing the location from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. At the end of 2006, rent rates for Class-A office space were $25 to $30 per square foot, according to Downtown Partnership?s 2006 State of Downtown Baltimore Report.
“I?m eager to see the development next door, and I?m looking forward to having a beautiful area down here,” said Shale Stiller, president of the Weinberg Foundation.
The new headquarters includes an atrium, multiple conference rooms, a chapel, a gym and bike room and open floor plans.
“We wanted to create an environment that promotes personal interaction on a regular basis,” Hackett said.
