The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is acquiring the Gratz College building on its Mandell Campus in Elkins Park, reports Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The purchase comes as Gratz relocates to a new site on the Main Line. The Federation will become the sole owner of the 28-acre campus in Montgomery County, taking over Gratz’s equity stake in the 60,000-square-foot Ann Newman building. Financial details were not disclosed.

Gratz College has moved much of its education online. It purchased the Levering Mill Tribute House in Bala Cynwyd for $1.8 million, downsizing to a 10,500-square-foot space. 

Gratz President Zev Eleff has plans to host events like weddings and B’nai Mitzvahs. “We’re calling it a gathering space, or a third space, and that’s really exciting,” Eleff said. “Gratz ought to be that place. We ought to be a convener agency for the broader community.”

The transition will be complete by July 2025.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Federation aims to maximize the Mandell Campus by exploring opportunities for its future use. With Gratz’s departure, the Ann Newman building could become home to other Jewish organizations, including schools or camps. Livi Dicaro, senior chief of finance and operations for the Federation, envisions the campus growing as a hub for activities.”One of the possibilities is the existing tenants grow their business on the campus and that business growth will hopefully help to fuel the Jewish community,” she said.

The Federation has owned the Mandell Campus since 1985, and current tenants include the Gutman Early Learning Center, Perelman Jewish Day School, and Orot. Dicaro hopes the campus will continue to support Jewish community growth over the next decade.

Read more about the Jewish Federation’s acquisition of the Gratz Colleg building at the Philadelphia Business Journal.