LOWER MERION — Two historic properties will be consolidated into one and connected with the construction of a two-story glass atrium, under a plan approved by the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners this week.

The two properties have been owned by Gratz College since 2024 when they announced they were purchasing the two Class II Historic Resources at 382 Bala Avenue, the Women’s Club and 327 Levering Mill Road, the Levering Mill Tribute House.

The plan consolidates both properties into one parcel, followed by the construction of a two-story, 860-squarefoot footprint glass atrium that connects the existing buildings.

The atrium will serve as a centralized, staffed entrance for both buildings. The applicant has stated that the improvement is not intended to increase capacity or occupancy.

During a Lower Merion Building and Committee meeting, Commissioner Gilda Kramer expressed her support for the plan.

“It’s a very, very nice plan and one that will allow for greater security at both buildings, where there are multiple entrances to each building,” Kramer said. “So there will be a central point of access. The other thing it will do is we’ll provide an elevator that will allow access to the lower level, and that’s particularly interesting because the lower level of the main building is where they will be digitizing the Elie Wiesel archives that they now have. And they will also have a room where there will be interactive holograms of Holocaust survivors. And so this will provide better access to the entire community to these very important resources.”

At the time the college purchased the buildings, President Zev Eleff said, “The new campus will empower Gratz to further accomplish its mission to advance Jewish wisdom and education, on the Main Line, just as in Melrose Park, Gratz will be a major incubator of culture and learning. Our faculty and staff are eager to synergize our significant resources and abilities with the needs of the Lower Merion community, Jewish and otherwise.”

Both buildings sit next to one another on Bala Avenue near Levering Mill Road. The tribute house name comes from a plaque at the entrance to one of the buildings, signifying it as a memorial to those residents who died in World War I and a tribute to all who served.

The buildings date back to the 1920s.

According to information from Lower Merion Township, the Women’s Club building, also known as the Ballroom Building, is a 17,132-squarefoot net lot parcel which fronts Bala Avenue.

Built in 1926, the property was owned by the Women’s Club of Bala Cynwyd from the 1920s until 2016. During this period, the Ballroom Building was utilized for club functions and community events.

In 2016, the property was transferred to The Merion Foundation, which continued to host public events and meetings for nonprofit and corporate entities.

Levering Mill Tribute House, also known as the Library Building, at 327 Levering Mill Road consists of a 6,155-squarefoot net lot parcel fronting Levering Mill Road. It is improved with a smaller brick structure, known as the Library Building. The building was constructed in 1926 and contains a library, two conference rooms and a small kitchen.

Originally Published: August 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM EDT