Dr. Kelly Papke, the owner of Hampden Veterinary Hospital who also grew up in Hampden neighborhood, leases nearly half of the 7000 square foot project on 3300 Keswick Road
Ashref Elshazli, Brocar Properties; Kelly Papke, Hampden Veterinary Hospital and Ckori Jones, Brocar Properties.
Brocar Properties, a Clinton, Maryland-based development and investment company, is nearing completion on its program to completely refurbish and modernize 3300 Keswick Road, a 7000 square foot, three-story structure that has functioned in numerous capacities including Jack’s and Benjamin’s, two different bars/restaurants that a young Kelly Papke remembers playing pinball in when growing up in the neighborhood. Now a doctor of veterinary medicine, Papke intends to open Hampden Veterinary Hospital in approximately 3400 square feet of space on the ground floor level by the end of June.
Herbert Burgunder III, Member, Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (PK Law), represented Brocar Properties in the acquisition of the building last summer.
The structure was originally constructed in 1916 as a drug store and shops, according to Charles Belfoure, a local historic preservation consultant. The druggist also resided in a space above his store.
According to Brocar Properties owners Ashref Elshazli and Ckori Jones, the team invested approximately $625,000 into the project which included a complete gutting of the interior and the installation of new mechanical, lighting and HVAC systems throughout. “We found structural problems in the basement that needed stabilization and shoring, but the end result will be a building with modern operational equipment, as well as new walls and flooring, that will service the needs of its varied users for many years to come. We love old buildings and always strive to maintain as much of the original historical character as possible, because it adds charm and uniqueness to the finished project,” explained Ckori Jones.
With Hampden Veterinary Hospital leasing the first floor, the second level will contain four separate apartment units ranging from 715 to 800 square feet of space. “Each will be decidedly Hampden-esque with two-level configurations, rooftops decks that offer attractive outdoor living space and sun porches ranging from 200 to 480 square feet” Ashref Elshazli added. “We performed a great deal of research to determine the residential characteristics of the local neighborhood and integrated many of the design features into 3300 Keswick Road.
Among the residents that spent time living in these apartments was Kelly Papke’s older sister, adding to the coincidences of the story.
“Having grown up on Chestnut Avenue, I always knew I wanted to return to the Hampden area to open up a practice,” explained Papke, who added that she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian since attending elementary school. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Papke has worked for area veterinary practices for more than twenty years before making the decision to strike out on her own with a focus on dogs and cats.
“The building is positioned on a fantastic corner,” she added, “and it is near a park, where I can visualize my clients taking their pets to run around a bit. I also like that it is a little bit away from all the craziness of Hampden, yet close enough to be walkable to the main attractions.
3300 Keswick Road is historically federal and state approved and the project will receive property tax abatement from the Baltimore City Commission for Historical Architectural Preservation (CHAP) based on Brocar Properties’ efforts to preserve most of the original construction elements. “The community is getting back the original storefronts of this building from the early 1990s and the development team should be commended for its plan to reclaim part of the history of Hampden. This building has many stories to tell and has served several generations of people,” Charles Belfoure stated.
“Ash and Ckori bring tremendous vision to every project and they have established a love affair with the City of Baltimore based on several projects they are working on in Highlandtown and Hampden,” stated Herbert Burgunder III, Member, Pessin Katz Law. “They significantly improve and add value to every real estate investment they become involved in, and their interest in Hampden signals great news for the local community. Businesses and residents will be hearing much more about this team in the coming years.”
Brocar Properties is also nearing completion on the comprehensive upgrade of 3301 Eastern Avenue in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore City. After initially focusing on residential renovation projects in the District of Columbia and suburban Maryland area, the company pivoted to acquiring commercial buildings, specifically in Baltimore City. For more information, visit www.brocarproperties.com
Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (PK Law) is the ninth largest law firm in the Baltimore area and has been serving clients for close to thirty years. PK Law maintains full-service offices in Towson, Columbia, and Bel Air and is comprised of more than 60 lawyers, paralegals and law clerks. Practice areas include corporate and business law, real estate and zoning, education law, estate planning, elder law, labor and employment, litigation, insurance law and medical malpractice defense. For additional information, visit www.PKLaw.com
