United Way of the Greater Capital Region unveils The Blake Annex
ALBANY, N.Y. » United Way of the Greater Capital Region announced recently the launch of The Blake Annex.
The space will be located over two floors of the historic Kenmore Hotel building, partially on the premises of the former Steuben Athletic Club. Featuring private offices and co-working space, and an inspiring and collaborative work environment in the heart of downtown Albany.
The Blake Annex will look to build capacity and promote efficiency for Capital Region nonprofit organizations by bringing non-profit partners together to share services and drive collaboration within and across sectors to create innovative solutions to the region’s most entrenched challenges.
“It’s partnerships and collaborations that make everything we do at United Way possible. The development of a designated space for nonprofits to share services and co-create solutions to our communities’ most complex and systemic challenges will be transformative for our region,” Peter Gannon, President & CEO at United Way of the Greater Capital Region, stated.
“In addition to the dynamic and inspiring workplace experience, The Blake Annex will break down silos, increase efficiency and capacity, inspire thought leadership, drive creative collisions, and elevate the critical role nonprofits play in building strong communities,” Gannon noted.
The Blake Annex is named for the builder of the Kenmore building, one of downtown’s most iconic historic buildings. Adam Blake, Jr., the son of a slave, became among nineteenth-century Albany’s most successful businesspeople, making his way as a restaurateur and eventually hotelier. He opened The Kenmore Hotel in 1878, which was hailed as “the most elegant structure on the finest street in Albany.”
The 25,000-square-foot flexible workspace features office suites of various sizes and configurations, multiple open coworking areas, dedicated desks, meetings rooms, and a training room facility capable of hosting up to 100 participants for large meetings or training sessions.
The Blake Annex will observe comprehensive COVID-19 mitigation protocols, including but not limited to mandatory masking in common areas, extensive cleaning schedules, sanitizer stations, and contact tracing for all visitors.
Members will also enjoy access to a fresh brewed local coffee, unmetered use of meeting rooms equipped with presentation and videoconferencing technology, fast and secure internet access, content creation lab, mailing and package handling, and access to a nursing mothers room, among the many amenities.
Garage parking is available nearby, and full-time members will enjoy 24/7 access to the space. The Blake Annex will be fully staffed during operating hours.
Additionally, full-time members of The Blake Annex will have access to the amenities at The Kenmore, including a fitness center, rooftop deck, interior dog park and interior atrium garden. United Way partnered with Redburn Development on the construction of The Blake Annex, transforming the space into a modern, thoughtful environment that also preserves the building’s historic character.
Redburn Development is investing $82 million in eight prominent downtown Albany buildings, creating 300 mixedincome apartments and more than 75,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. The spaces are nearly 100 percent occupied.
Several important regional organizations have already become members of The Blake Annex and will be commencing operations while the space’s fit-up period is completed. They include Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Prevent Child Abuse New York, Girls on the Run Capital Region, and CEK RN Consulting, Inc. Each organization is re-locating their operations and staffs to The Blake Annex.
“Development of The Blake Annex, which is about more than new office space, has been years in the making and on behalf of the United Way Board of Directors, I am excited to see it announced today,” UWGCR Board Chair Carm Basile, commented.
“The partnerships and collaboration developed at The Blake Annex will help us to be better and to fulfill our mission to improve the health, education and financial stability for the people who live in the Capital Region. Congratulations to Peter and the entire United Way team on a job well done,” Basile continued.
“Today’s news from United Way of the Greater Capital Region announcing The Blake Annex embodies much of what makes our region such a special place,” Rep. Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) stated.
“The facility will take strong steps to drive innovation and
lasting partnerships forward while paying homage to the historic significance of the Kenmore building and Adam Blake Jr. — the pioneer behind it. Congratulations to everyone who has brought this project to life. I’m excited to see this new, innovative space foster further collaboration and growth, not only among our numerous local non-profits, but for our community as a whole,” Tonko exclaimed.
“The Blake Annex is an exciting, high-energy location for area non-profits to collaborate, integrate their activities with access to the fitness center, dog park, and garden, and collectively make strides in meeting the needs of the Capital Region,” New York State Sen. Neil Breslin explained.
“The Blake Annex will be a wonderful addition to the heart of downtown Albany. For local nonprofits the inter-organizational interactions that come with a coworking space like this can be incredibly helpful. This new business will provide a place for nonprofits to meet, work and grow their business with a flexible office setting,” New York State Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, opined.
“I have been proud to partner with United Way of the Greater Capital Region throughout the pandemic and long before it, because this organization has a proven track record of improving lives. With the end of COVID in sight, but with many still struggling in its aftermath, this co-working space couldn’t have come at a better time,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy remarked.
“United Way’s latest venture will pay dividends by not only supporting the missions of other likeminded nonprofits, but by also breathing new life into the historic Kenmore and the entire Downtown Albany community, and continuing the progress we’re making in the area,” McCoy added.
In addition to the myriad programming, educational, and collaborative benefits associated with membership, nonprofit organizations stand to lower their overhead through membership at The Blake Annex. Organizations transitioning to a private office in a shared workspace environment stand to save up to 47% on the cost of a traditional commercial office lease.
For more information on The Blake Annex, visit www.theblakeannex.org. Tours are currently by appointment only, and can be scheduled via the website or by emailing info@theblakeannex.org.