MCB Real Estate, a local investment management firm, recently celebrated the renaming of one of its most notable development projects in Baltimore City. “The Enolia” will accommodate more than 450 students, fulfilling a much-needed Morgan State University (MSU) student housing demand.
MCB Real Estate, a local investment management firm, recently celebrated the renaming of one of its most notable development projects in Baltimore City.
The ceremony, which attracted scores of attendees, including community members, MCB officials, Morgan State University officials, project supporters and investors, business leaders, and others, was branded a “celebration of construction and community.”
Photo courtesy of MCB
Fulfilling a demand for much-needed housing for Morgan State students, MCB is overseeing the development of an elaborate residential complex located at 4529 Harford Road in the Hamilton-Lauraville area of Northeast Baltimore.
Originally named the Morgan Flats at Markley, the project was officially renamed “The Enolia” in honor of civil rights icon Enolia Pettigen McMillan, the first female chair of the Morgan State University Board of Regents.
MCB managing partner, P. David Bramble officially announced the renaming during his remarks at the podium at the ceremony on June 27, 2024. As Bramble made the announcement, a poster featuring McMillan’s image was unveiled, along with a summary of her legacy, extraordinary journey, and accomplishments as an educator and staunch equal opportunity advocate in Baltimore City.
“Enolia McMillan’s name carries an enormous amount of respect not just in Baltimore, but as one of America’s most revered civil rights trailblazers,” Bramble said.
“Given her tremendous work in advocating and progressing Morgan’s status as a premier learning institution, it’s only fitting that her name be associated with a project that will help alleviate the housing shortage that has become a significant barrier to the university’s growth.”
Morgan State University President David Wilson echoed similar sentiments about McMillan while lauding MCB’s efforts in helping to offer modern off-campus housing.
Photo credit: Gar Roberts
“As Morgan continues to grow, it is imperative that the community we are a part of also flourishes. We are excited about the expansion of housing options for our ever-burgeoning student population and the ability to offer them a modern, comfortable living environment while also paying tribute to a remarkable leader whose legacy of advocacy for education continues to inspire us all,” Wilson said.
“Having this new off-campus student housing complex named in honor of the esteemed civil rights pioneer Enolia McMillan, who made history in so many remarkable ways, is a fitting honor and we look forward to this development’s positive impact on our students and the broader community.”
Photo credit: Gar Roberts
Tiffany Mfume, the granddaughter of McMillian and wife of Rep. Kweisi Mfume, shared remarks during the ceremony. She was joined by several other McMillan family members in attendance, including Enoila McMillan’s son, Betha D. McMillan Jr.
“It’s an interesting honor. It means a lot to me,” McMillan said of the student housing being named in honor of his mother.
“She’s always been from Baltimore, loving Baltimore and Baltimore loves her back.”
Photo credit: Gar Roberts
The Enolia is expected to have a transformative impact on the Morgan State campus community and the broader Baltimore area. It is the school’s first off-campus student housing development built in more than two decades, and is located about a mile from MSU’s campus.
The 90-minute ceremony also marked the completion of the housing complex’s vertical construction. This crucial investment reflects MCB’s commitment to partnerships with Baltimore-area anchor institutions, such as Morgan State, to facilitate challenging projects.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, let me tell you – Baltimore is on the rise,” Bramble said.
“This development will bring hundreds of students to The Enolia who will support local businesses, solidify Morgan’s presence on this wonderful main street and provide Morgan students with the same type of class-A off-campus housing that’s available at other Tier 1 universities.”
Encompassing 3.4 acres of what once was a vacant parcel of land, The Enolia represents the largest developable assemblage within a one-mile radius of MSU. Some of The Enolia’s features will include:
- First-in-class amenities include study rooms, student collaboration spaces, a fitness center, a game room, an entrepreneur podcast studio and entertainment room, secure bike and package storage and a spacious amenities outdoor courtyard that will be actively programmed.
- Unit amenities include in-unit full-size washer and dryers, granite countertops and ensuite bathrooms.
- In total, there will be 473 beds and 151 units fully furnished with a one-bathroom to one-bedroom parity
- The project is made possible with support from the Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street organization and Morgan State University
- The building offers sustainable design features including energy-efficient systems, native plantings and innovative stormwater management
- Shuttle service to Morgan as well as a new bike path and secure indoor bike parking will provide students with a low-impact way to travel back and forth to campus
The construction project cost is around $58 million. According to MCB officials, construction began in May 2023 and is expected to be completed in July 2025, just in time for the 2025-26 academic year.