Since 1997, the Saint Luke's Foundation has worked to eliminate barriers to health equity and improve the social and physical well-being of residents of the Buckeye-Shaker, Woodhill, and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods and surrounding communities in Cuyahoga County.

For the past 11 years the Foundation has operated out of the former Saint Luke’s Hospital building—the 1927 neo-Georgian brick building designed by renowned Cleveland architecture firm Hubbell & Benes.

St. Luke's Foundation will build its new headquarters and community hub on this vacant lot in the Woodland neighborhood.Earlier this month, Saint Luke’s Foundation announced plans to build a new 21,000-square-foot headquarters at 10804 Woodland Ave. in the Woodland neighborhood—making a big change from its current sixth-floor offices to a more accessible, ground-level community-centered location.

"We want people to know where the Saint Luke's Foundation is, and we want them to feel invited," says Saint Luke’s Foundation president and CEO Tim Tramble. "Right now, people don't know where the St. Luke's Foundation is because we're on the sixth floor of what some people have described to us as 'the ivory tower.'"

Descending from the tower
The foundation subsequently issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to architects for the design and development of the new facility, which will occupy a currently vacant lot along Woodland Avenue. Described as both the administrative home for Saint Luke’s Foundation and a welcoming community hub, the foundation plans to use approximately 35% of the space, with the remaining 65% dedicated to community use.

The project budget is $15 million to $17 million, with construction expected to begin in 2028.

The move aligns with the foundation's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Tramble explains, adding that being seen as an ivory tower is the exact opposite of the organization’s mission, vision, and culture. “We are committed to community input and community engagement," he says.

The Woodland site where St. Luke's Foundation will build its new headquarters and community hub."We don't want it to be so high class and so upscale that we have to protect it from just everyday use," Tramble notes. “While we are a resource to the community, we are a resource that the community doesn't see unless and until we get out and we engage with them. We want to be a resource that is very visible.”

Moving from the ivory tower to the “ground floor” has several interpretations, says Tramble.

“It's on the ground in the community, where everyone is at eye-to-eye level,” he explains. “Residents [wanted] a space that felt open and approachable by design, [with] flexible indoor and outdoor areas where neighbors can come together for events, celebrations, and everyday connections."

The new headquarters location represents more than just a physical move; it symbolizes a shift in how the foundation engages with the community it serves. "We are this thing that they know is there, but they can't feel it and touch it,” Tramble says, adding that the ground-level presence changes that dynamic, making the foundation more accessible and visible to the community it serves.

Community conversations at St. Luke's FoundationCommunity feedback

The location was strategically chosen to maintain proximity to the historic Saint Luke's campus while positioning the foundation more visibly in the community. "We want to complement and become a part of a comprehensive neighborhood strategy, rather than just the anchor of the neighborhood strategy," Tramble said, noting that a $35 million investment in the Woodhill Choice development project is already taking place across the street.

Timothy Tramble, President & CEO, St. Luke's Foundation

Internal Design Team’s input revealed several key priorities:

• Safe and visible spaces supporting youth and family engagement.
• Well-lit areas with universal access.
• Design elements honoring the neighborhood's history and culture.
• Green spaces with outdoor seating.
• Practical spaces for everyday use that will be welcoming and accessible.

Balancing priorities
The foundation plans to maintain its current level of community support, which approaches $8 million annually in grants. "Our priority is grant making," Tramble stresses. "We want to build a building where once we're done with it, we can still grant the kind of resources that we've been granting. We don't want that to go [down] to $6 million a year because we have this high-cost building."

To achieve this balance, the foundation is exploring partnerships with national philanthropic organizations to help fund the project without diverting resources from local initiatives.

"We're hoping that we can package a comprehensive neighborhood strategy that's really going to uplift the neighborhood in a way that brings a national funder to the table to ensure that the full vision can be realized," Tramble says.

Community leaders share hopes for new St. Luke’s Foundation headquarters
As plans move forward for the new St. Luke’s Foundation headquarters and community center, Cleveland leaders are envisioning a space that is more than just an office building—it’s a hub for empowerment, collaboration, and neighborhood growth.

Jack Hill, retired IT professional and Eagle Scout.Among those helping shape the vision are two members of the internal design team: longtime community activist Jack Hill and Rev. Clarence Hall, pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church.

For Hill, a retired IT professional and Eagle Scout, the new building represents a shift from what has been deemed an “ivory tower” on the sixth floor of the hospital building into a truly accessible community resource.

"They’re asking us what they should have in the building,” Hill says, “and my first question is, ‘how much space do they need? They need like 9,000 square feet where they sit right now.”

He points out that much of the 23,000-square-foot facility can be reimagined for neighborhood needs.

Those needs, Hill says, include a robust resource center, and he envisions computer labs, tutoring rooms, and spaces staffed by people who can help residents navigate educational and professional opportunities. “Most of the stuff can be virtual, but I do want it to be staffed by humans if it’s needed,” he says.

Just as important, Hill says, are flexible meeting rooms where local organizations can gather—free of charge.

Pastor Hall echoes that emphasis on accessibility. He says believes the new headquarters should reflect the values of the neighborhoods St. Luke’s serves.

“This should be a place where people feel welcomed, where they know they belong,” Hall says, adding that the building has the potential to become not only a center for services but also a symbol of trust and investment in the community’s future.

Both leaders see collaboration as the cornerstone of success. Hill stresses that grassroots organizations shouldn’t compete but instead share what works.

“If each group or organization would do that—teach the next person how you did it and this the way it worked for you—why not teach the next person and the next person?” Hill suggests.

Morningstar Baptist Church Pastor Clarence Hall.Hall says he agrees, noting that the church, nonprofits, and residents can all play a role in making the center vibrant. “Partnership is how we lift each other up,” he says.

Underlying Hill’s philosophy is a commitment to teaching self-sufficiency. “I don’t believe in just giving,” he explains. “Teach them how to get other resources or try to teach them how to be self-sufficient.”

Hall adds that dignity must be at the heart of every program in the building. “If people walk out of this space feeling stronger than when they came in, then we’ve done our job,” he says.

The project is still in the planning phase, with architects and contractors working with community members to finalize details. With construction on the new headquarters slated for 2028, the planning committee will continue to analyze residents’ feedback and refine their vision.

For Hill and Hall, the new St. Luke’s Foundation headquarters represents far more than bricks and mortar. It’s an opportunity to build a welcoming, collaborative space where neighbors can learn, organize, and grow together.