Kellen — an association management company that employs about 250 people globally — has relocated its headquarters from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. The company signed a new lease that expands its footprint at the National Press Building to 32,000 square feet, effectively doubling its D.C. presence.
Although the organization established its presence in D.C. in the 1990s, the current deal came about when CEO, Travis Rush – a former D.C. resident – felt that the company’s headquarters at the Towers at Wildwood Plaza on the outskirts of Atlanta was no longer strategically ideal. After a year of consideration, Washington, D.C. was chosen over Chicago, another major association hub.
A $150,000 grant from the Washington, D.C. government’s Vitality Fund further solidified the decision.
While Kellen offers the standard services of association management, such as planning and organizing meetings, it specializes in public affairs and government relations. This also means that many of the company’s clients require a strong D.C. presence to effectively advocate for their interests. Accordingly, this strategic move allows Kellen to be closer to those clients. The extended lease at the National Press Building also secures the space well in advance and allows for future growth.
The National Press Building, located at 529 14th St. NW, is also conveniently near The White House. The 14-story property, built in the mid-1920s, was originally home to various members of the press, and the National Press Club remains a prominent tenant to this day.
Cannon Hill Capital Partners is responsible for managing the building, which was most recently refurbished in 2018. The National Press Building provides 560,000 square feet of modern Washington, D.C. office and retail space. Beyond Kellen, the property attracts a diverse tenant base, including Cuts by Hugo — a high-end barbershop — and SPIN Washington DC (a ping-pong sports bar and social club).
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