A Baltimore institution is getting an overhaul that is designed to give it a new look and help it draw more members.
The Center Club, a private dining establishment that was founded by civic leaders in 1962, has begun a $2.7 million renovation that will be complete by September.
The overhaul is the first upgrade of the Center Club since it moved in the late 1980s to 100 Light Street, now known as the Legg Mason Tower. It represents a commitment by the club's directors to stay in the heart of downtown Baltimore.
"It was absolutely a vote of confidence in downtown," Center Club President Howard B. Miller said of the decision to make improvements. "We're happy where we are."
The private business club occupies the 15th and 16th floors of the Legg Mason Tower, which is undergoing $20 million worth of renovations. The renovation to the club involves the main lobby and dining areas on the 15th floor; the 16th floor remains in use while the work is under way. A later phase of work will affect meeting rooms and other areas on the 16th floor.
The building's lead tenant, Legg Mason, is moving to Harbor East starting later this month. Legg Mason's departure will free up space in about half of the 500,000-square-foot building - floors 17 to 35 - and the tower's name will change to 100 Light Street in October.
This is the third location for the Center Club, which was started in 1962 at One Charles Center and moved to 36 S. Charles Street in the 1970s.
The club has 1,619 members, down from a peak of 2,200 members in 1999-2000. Members include bank officers, lawyers, physicians, university officials and other civic leaders. Miller said the club has leased its space at least through September 2019 and hopes to see the membership rise to 1800 by next spring. Besides the renovation, the club will be launching a new Web site, membership campaign and programming initiatives later this year.
The design team, headed by Dennis Gaffney and Jennifer Wegmann of RTKL's Washington office, planned the renovation to take advantage of the club's panoramic harbor views. Features will include a new bar and lounge near the entrance, a new dance floor, and a wine room that will showcase the club's renowned wine collection.
Other changes to the building, one of the tallest in Baltimore's skyline, include a redesigned main lobby, reconfiguration of the plaza and a new garage one block north. Other tenants include Ferris Baker, Colliers Pinkard, the Thomas & Libowitz law firm and the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.
John Alba, vice president of Winthrop Management, the building's manager, said the Center Club's improvements will help make the building more attractive to prospective tenants, and the other building improvements should help the club attract new members.
"It's well-timed," he said. "It helps us. It's going to help them."
