JLL Inks 28,000 SF Deal with Emory Healthcare at Baltimore Block in Midtown

Atlanta, GA, Feb 18, 2019 – JLL announced today that Emory Healthcare has signed a 28,000-square-foot lease at Baltimore Block, a recently renovated historic office development across the street from Emory University Hospital Midtown. Leasing efforts for the property are being led by JLL’s Claire Ross and Mike Werner, with Cushman & Wakefield Managing Director Bruce Propst representing Emory Healthcare. Baltimore Block was acquired by Gamma Real Estate and Meltzer Properties in 2015.

Emory Healthcare will dedicate the Baltimore Block space for their Finance and Materials Management operations. With the Midtown hospital being located just across the street, Baltimore Block is expertly positioned for employees to remain engaged with the nearby campus as Emory Healthcare expands its footprint within Midtown’s rapidly transforming neighborhood. Since taking over in January 2017, JLL’s leasing efforts have brought leasing momentum and stability to Baltimore Block. Historically a workplace for medical office, JLL sought to market the property to a wider and more innovative pool of potential tenants, such as tech consulting company Code Zero, which joined Baltimore Block last year. This latest signing by JLL brings occupancy to 91%.

“With Baltimore Block, our focus was to expand its traditional marketplace and attract a mix of tenants that would bring a new vitality to the property,” said Werner. “With Emory, we are curating the ideal mix of tech and medical office companies that Baltimore Block is expertly suited for.”

As one of the best-preserved historic office developments in the Southeast, Baltimore Block offers tenants a creative, modern work environment in one of Atlanta’s most connected districts. Under the ownership of Gamma Realty, the 104,000 square-foot property completed a $4.5 million renovation project which included enhancing the space with new finishes and modern touches, as well as the addition of collaborative common areas and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

“Baltimore Block is renowned across the Southeast for its robust history, and our team sought to pursue tenants that would complement the contemporary edge and timeless charm of the property,” said Ross. “With Emory Healthcare serving as the anchor of the office component, we’re confident Baltimore Block will continue to own an impactful slice of Midtown’s history.”

In 1885, the inspiration for Baltimore Block was drawn from the Colonial-Era’s rows of Baltimore and New York. Centered around 14 brick rowhouses, Baltimore Block once stood as Atlanta’s first rental units and was considered the most luxurious living quarters at the time. Over 200 years later, Baltimore Block was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was later converted to office space in 1989. With most of the original structure still standing, the property now features renovations expected by the modern office tenant, while still preserving Baltimore Block’s unique character.

Today, Midtown is Atlanta’s leading submarket for development and construction activity. According to JLL’s latest research reports, Midtown is home to an inventory of 18.5 million square feet of office space, with an additional two million square feet currently under construction.

“In 2015, our team recognized potential growth South of North Avenue and saw an opportunity to participate in the submarket’s reinvention,” said Matthew Jacobs, Vice President for Gamma Real Estate. “Baltimore Block is a textbook example of a culturally infused, next-gen office space, and we’re looking forward to experiencing the historic property’s future successes.”JLL announced today that Emory Healthcare has signed a 28,000-square-foot lease at Baltimore Block, a recently renovated historic office development across the street from Emory University Hospital Midtown. Leasing efforts for the property are being led by JLL’s Claire Ross and Mike Werner, with Cushman & Wakefield Managing Director Bruce Propst representing Emory Healthcare. Baltimore Block was acquired by Gamma Real Estate and Meltzer Properties in 2015.

Emory Healthcare will dedicate the Baltimore Block space for their Finance and Materials Management operations. With the Midtown hospital being located just across the street, Baltimore Block is expertly positioned for employees to remain engaged with the nearby campus as Emory Healthcare expands its footprint within Midtown’s rapidly transforming neighborhood. Since taking over in January 2017, JLL’s leasing efforts have brought leasing momentum and stability to Baltimore Block. Historically a workplace for medical office, JLL sought to market the property to a wider and more innovative pool of potential tenants, such as tech consulting company Code Zero, which joined Baltimore Block last year. This latest signing by JLL brings occupancy to 91%.

“With Baltimore Block, our focus was to expand its traditional marketplace and attract a mix of tenants that would bring a new vitality to the property,” said Werner. “With Emory, we are curating the ideal mix of tech and medical office companies that Baltimore Block is expertly suited for.”

As one of the best-preserved historic office developments in the Southeast, Baltimore Block offers tenants a creative, modern work environment in one of Atlanta’s most connected districts. Under the ownership of Gamma Realty, the 104,000 square-foot property completed a $4.5 million renovation project which included enhancing the space with new finishes and modern touches, as well as the addition of collaborative common areas and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

“Baltimore Block is renowned across the Southeast for its robust history, and our team sought to pursue tenants that would complement the contemporary edge and timeless charm of the property,” said Ross. “With Emory Healthcare serving as the anchor of the office component, we’re confident Baltimore Block will continue to own an impactful slice of Midtown’s history.”

In 1885, the inspiration for Baltimore Block was drawn from the Colonial-Era’s rows of Baltimore and New York. Centered around 14 brick rowhouses, Baltimore Block once stood as Atlanta’s first rental units and was considered the most luxurious living quarters at the time. Over 200 years later, Baltimore Block was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was later converted to office space in 1989. With most of the original structure still standing, the property now features renovations expected by the modern office tenant, while still preserving Baltimore Block’s unique character.

Today, Midtown is Atlanta’s leading submarket for development and construction activity. According to JLL’s latest research reports, Midtown is home to an inventory of 18.5 million square feet of office space, with an additional two million square feet currently under construction.

“In 2015, our team recognized potential growth South of North Avenue and saw an opportunity to participate in the submarket’s reinvention,” said Matthew Jacobs, Vice President for Gamma Real Estate. “Baltimore Block is a textbook example of a culturally infused, next-gen office space, and we’re looking forward to experiencing the historic property’s future successes.”