32-Acre Gibbons Commons Mixed-Use Development Breaks Ground

By Adrian Maties, Associate Editor

Last week, Saint Agnes Hospital celebrated the groundbreaking of a new, four-story apartment community at the future site of the 32-acre Gibbons Commons mixed-use development. The apartment complex is developed in partnership with Bon Secours Baltimore Health System.

Called the Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments, the four-story building will feature 80 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as parking and recreational space. It is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2016. Bon Secours will start accepting lease applications from qualified residents this fall.

In addition to Bon Secours, Catholic Charities of Baltimore also plans to build a housing project at Gibbons Commons. The nonprofit wants to bring two- and three-bedroom apartments for intergenerational families. It will also provide a wide range of complementary services to support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

Gibbons Commons is being developed in phases, on the site of the former Cardinal Gibbons High School, a site purchased by Saint Agnes from the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2012. The project will not only include housing, but also food options and green, recreational and office space. Its development team includes RTKL, Whiting Turner and Obrecht Properties.

During last week’s groundbreaking, the developers unveiled other details about the project, including the names of several new partners, such as Royal Farms, Kibby’s Restaurant & Lounge and the Y of Central Maryland. Royal Farms will open a 5,371-square-foot store and gas station at Gibbons Commons in 2016. Kibby’s Restaurant and Lounge will also lease between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet of space for a new sports themed restaurant celebrating Babe Ruth’s legacy. It is scheduled to open in 2017.

As a tribute to Babe Ruth, Saint Agnes is working with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to preserve and enhance the baseball field where the famous athlete played as a young man. This field will be expanded to provide space for community residents to play baseball, football and lacrosse. It will be managed by Y of Central Maryland. The Y also plans to renovate the 30,000-square-foot Cardinal Gibbons gym and turn it into a full-service family center.

Photo credit: Saint Agnes Hospital