With plans for future growth, b.well Connected Health just opened its first HQ on Federal Hill’s edge

Having outgrown its home offices, Baltimore-based health tech company b.well Connected Health announced this week that it found 8,000 square ft. in the emerging Stadium Square development for its first corporate headquarters since the COVID-19 pandemic.

An announcement this week alternately located the space in downtown Baltimore and Federal Hill. Depending on who you ask, the offices at 145 W. Ostend St. are part Federal Hill, the historically Black Sharp-Leadenhall community (it’s a short walk from the Leadenhall Baptist Church, home to one of the city’s oldest Black Baptist congregations) or a seemingly ambiguous non-neighborhood between Fed Hill and M&T Bank Stadium. Regardless of where you place it, it’s part of an area increasingly characterized by new development, as well as popular businesses like Checkerspot Brewing Company.

Founded in 2015 by Kristen Valdes, b.well aims to help consumers take control of their health through its innovative Connected Health platform. In reflection of this priority, Valdes partnered with The Verve Partnership — an interior architecture and data-driven design firm with offices in the Woodberry neighborhood and Allentown, Pennsylvania — to create a contemporary office environment that prioritizes user experience.

“The success of any project depends on the team,” said Kelly Ennis, founder and managing principal of The Verve Partnership, in a statement. “This means building a team early on that is engaged and motivated to achieve the client’s goals as if they were their own.”

Ennis’ comments highlight the importance of collaboration and dedication to success in development projects — values that are at the core of both The Verve Partnership and b.well Connected Health’s missions

According to b.well VP of People and Culture Alicia Raymond, the company chose the location to provide an invigorating workplace experience for its 45 employees. It also aimed to set an example and make a statement by establishing a new corporate headquarters in Baltimore. The city offers a host of amenities, and b.well leaders believe in its potential for the future, hoping that other companies will follow suit. b.well initially planned to open its headquarters a few years prior but was delayed by COVID-19.

“After working from home for so long, it was refreshing to be able to come to b.well’s new HQ and collaborate in person with my coworkers,” said Andre Neuland, the company’s senior consumer experience specialist, in an email to Technical.ly. “The space is energizing and engaging, making the office a place to enjoy our teams and the work we do.”

In the new space, b.well said it wanted to break the stereotype of the mundane corporate workplace by incorporating design elements that evoke a cozy living room ambiance while still maintaining a professional atmosphere. These components include soft colors, comfy couches and lighting choices demonstrated in photos embedded throughout this article. In keeping with the company’s mission to promote successful patient outcomes and overall wellness, the Baltimore offices will also feature motivational signage and healthy snacks.

As b.well continues to grow, the company plans to expand its operations beyond its Baltimore HQ. According to Raymond, b.well intends to create affiliate offices in other cities and replicate these workplace experiences. b.well’s focus on growth and innovation will be reflected in the design and atmosphere of these future locations, with the hope of providing a true sense of belonging for all employees.