Birchmere To Open New Music Hall in College Park

State of the Art Venue to Come to East Campus Redevelopment Project

Under the deal, the Birchmere - which attracts such diverse acts as Herbie Hancock, Lyle Lovett and Arturo Sandoval - would also build and operate a stage for up-and-coming singer-songwriters in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, with the aim of helping to develop and nurture the stars of tomorrow.

"We're very excited about opening a venue in suburban Maryland, and couldn't ask for better partners and a more ideal location," said the Birchmere's founder Gary Oelze. "We are very excited to have such a major player in the local music scene join us in creating a world-class, mixed-use center in College Park," added Richard Perlmutter of Argo Investment Company.

"Our goal with the East Campus development is to give the community more entertainment, retail and restaurant options, and the Birchmere will be a key part in this effort," said Douglas M. Duncan, University of Maryland vice president for administrative affairs. "The opportunities for creative collaboration with the university and our students are limitless and we couldn't be more excited about this."

An artist's rendition of what the East Campus Development might look like in College Park.

The Birchmere will be part of a major mixed-use development of 2.6 million square feet on the East Campus of the University of Maryland, which will include retail, residential, hotel, and office space. "Having the Birchmere as a key anchor is just what we have been looking for to kick off this effort," said Bryant Foulger of the Foulger-Pratt Companies.

From its pre-Civil War roots as Maryland's first agricultural college and one of America's original land grant institutions, the University of Maryland today is the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. Ranked No. 18 by U.S. News & World Report, it also has 31 academic programs in the Top 10 and 92 in the Top 25. The current faculty includes three Nobel Laureates, six Pulitzer Prize winners, 40 members of the National Academies of Science, and scores of Fulbright scholars. Maryland is committed to excellence as the state's premier center of research and graduate education and the institution of choice for undergraduate students of exceptional ability and promise. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit www.umd.edu.

About Foulger-Pratt

Established in 1963, Foulger-Pratt is one of the Washington region's most experienced and diverse real estate firms. The award-winning organization offers development, construction, asset management, and property management services. Foulger-Pratt is headquartered in Rockville , MD. For more information, visit: www.foulgerpratt.com.

About Argo

Established in 1996, Argo has completed over 2 million square feet of residential, office, retail, and civic facilities throughout the Washington , DC area. The firm is headquartered in Rockville , MD. For more information visit: www.argoinvestment.com.

March 15, 2007 East Campus Release
Sept. 18, 2007 Diamondback Student Newspaper Report

East Campus Redevelopment Project Home Page
The Birchmere Music Hall Home Page
Foulger-Pratt Home Page
Argo Investment Company Home Page

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