GBC News

Marks, Thomas Architects' landmark building at the science and technology park at Johns Hopkins

Contact: Naomi Reetz, Director of Marketing
1414 Key Highway, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21230
410.400.7493

Allen & O'Hara a wholly owned subsidiary of Education Realty Trust Inc., one of the nation's largest developers, owners and managers of quality university housing properties has selected Marks, Thomas Architects as the lead firm on the architecture and design of The Graduate Student Housing Community at the Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins. The project will consist of 321 apartments (572 beds) in a unit mix of primarily 1-bedroom/1-bath, 2- bedroom/2-bath and efficiency units in proportion to indicated demand levels. The project will feature various residential amenities including a green roof for socializing and gathering, a fitness center, as well as meeting and study rooms. The project will be the tallest in the New East Baltimore Development and faces the neighborhoods central green. LEED's Silver certification will be sought for the project.

The over 4,000 students currently enrolled at the JHMI schools will be the primary residents of the new state of the art 20-story, high-rise apartment community. Johns Hopkins University currently provides limited housing for the graduate students on the medical center campus. A portion of the current housing will be taken out of service when the new project opens.
"Being an integral part of the major urban re-development project untaken by EBDI is very exciting and gratifying as well. It requires a significant amount of collaboration and cooperation to develop quality housing at affordable rents. We couldn't be more pleased with the efforts of all of our partners to make this project a reality."

Construction is scheduled to start in the summer of 2010 for the summer of 2012 opening.

If you would like more information, please contact Naomi Reetz.

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Established in 1967, Marks, Thomas Architects is an established and award winning architectural and interior design firm in Baltimore, Maryland. The firm is a leader in the creation of multi-family housing communities, including student housing and senior housing, as well as waterfront housing, urban mixed-use communities and institutional projects. The architectural services we offer include planning, urban design, programming and interior design. For additional information, visit www.marks-thomas.com or call 410.539.4300

Education Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR) is a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust that owns, develops and manages high-quality student housing communities throughout the United States. Led by a team with over 200 years of shared industry experience, EDR is one of America's largest owners and operators of collegiate student housing. Its portfolio includes 64 communities in 22 states with 37,827 owned and managed beds. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.educationrealty.com.