How the Hopkins Bloomberg Center is giving Pennsylvania Avenue a boost
A new hub for arts, culture, policy, and more marks one year in the heart of the nation’s capital
During the pandemic, downtown D.C., like other cities, became a shell of its former self, as workers who once commuted daily for jobs began working from home.
District leaders are now working to bring new life to the downtown area, and the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center is a proud partner in the effort. In the year since the Hopkins Bloomberg Center opened, it’s become a go-to destination for locals looking to engage with art, music, literature, policy dialogue, and more.
Earlier this month, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center won the Economic Impact Award at the 2024 D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s ChambersChoiceGala.
“The Hopkins Bloomberg Center (HBC) has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and engagement since its establishment at 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW. It has become a hub of city activity,” D.C. Councilmember at Large Kenyan R. McDuffie wrote in a letter of support to the D.C. Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Hopkins Bloomberg Center, “This vibrant community activity serves as a boon to downtown D.C., fostering the growth of related businesses and services, and contributing to the economic prosperity of our residents.”
2024 Economic Impact Award
The D.C. Chamber of Commerce recognizes the Hopkins Bloomberg Center for its significant impact on the District of Columbia’s economic vitality
More Coming
Last week, the building’s Irene and Richard Frary Gallery opened with an exhibit featuring art and graphic design of the European Avant-Gardes. The inaugural exhibition presents rare, avant-garde artwork, books, photography, and ephemera from Russia, Ukraine, Eastern and Central Europe, and the Baltics from 1910 to 1941. This and future exhibits are free and open to the public.
The Hopkins Bloomberg Center also hosts a regular cadence of free lunch-time and evening music, dance, and performing arts programming from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.
Early next year, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe, a veteran- and family-owned cafe known for handcrafted doughnuts, will open a publicly accessible location on the ground floor of the Hopkins Bloomberg Center.
“We love seeing local businesses open, grow, and thrive in D.C.,” said Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development. “Good Company will be a wonderful addition to the Hopkins Bloomberg Center, which continues to bring vibrancy and energy to downtown D.C.”
Exciting Future
The year-one activities are just a start. The Hopkins Bloomberg Center is excited to host more engaging programming in the coming years. Already on the docket is a conversation between veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher and Meta’s chief AI scientist Yann LeCun.
“We invite our neighbors throughout the Washington community to discover the diverse array of free public events and concerts at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center,” said Cybele Bjorklund, executive director of the Hopkins Bloomberg Center and Johns Hopkins University’s vice president of federal strategy.