Robin Godwin: Photo Tour of Vitamin’s New Federal Hill Headquarters

Though it can’t fill the building with its staff at this time, the digital-first, integrated marketing agency Vitamin has completed the relocation of its headquarters from Highlandtown to 720 Light St. in Federal Hill. Vitamin co-owners and wife and husband Amanda Karfakis and Mike Karfakis purchased the 6,000 sq. ft. building in January 2019 and completed a full renovation of the space.

720 Light St. was the former home of The Joseph E. Shaner Company which was acquired in 2017.

Vitamin, which started 19 years ago, is tripling the size of its headquarters with the move to Federal Hill.

720 Light St. is across the street from the Inner Harbor. Amanda Karfakis told SouthBMore.com last year the new location allows the team to walk to many places for lunch, walk to the harbor, have a walking meeting, and attend stadium events without moving their cars.

“The visibility is what tipped us over the top,” said Amanda Karfakis. She talked about the northern facade that is visible for several blocks up Light St. and the high traffic volume at the intersection. The visibility also gives the office building views of Downtown and the Inner Harbor that Amanda Karfakis calls “absolutely ridiculous.”

Vitamin is adding temporary signage on the facade this week and will take on more exterior renovations in the next year.

Amanda and Mike Karfakis have experience renovating Baltimore properties and said buying was a “strategic and economic decision.”

“We are able to eliminate some of the threats renters face and it allows us to remain nimble,” said Amanda Karfakis. “We don’t have to report to a landlord, we can make our own decisions.”

Vitamin worked with Joe Nolan of KLNB to acquire the building and RMF Engineering as the engineer on the project. Gaudreau, Inc. is the architect of record and Jensen Hughes is a consultant.

Vitamin employees have been working remotely since COVID-19 lockdowns began, but “the team is eager to begin collaborating in the agency’s new digs.” More than half of the team lives in Baltimore City.

Vitamin is a full-service marketing company with services including branding, logo development, public relations, and website development. It helps companies with marketing, communications, and business growth. It also helps companies market themselves to get acquired.

Vitamin has many clients in commercial real estate, architecture, engineering, and construction. It also works with companies in finance, health and human services, manufacturing, and nonprofit industries.

Below is a photo tour of the headquarters:

Photos courtesy of Maximilian Franz

First Floor

The first floor features the main lobby with open ceilings, waiting area, large conference room, war room, and entertainment area. The offices and conference rooms use a seamless glass system from local supplier Dynamic Hive. D-Hive’s system is minimal on framing with large, sliding entrances. Vitamin’s main conference room has seating for up to 16.

Second Floor

The second floor is the creative services collaboration area. “This is the space where our design and development teams work closely together to bring our clients’ brands new life,” said a press release from Vitamin. Also in the release:

Features include open ceilings, exposed duct work, architectural lighting and sound, and two private work/meeting areas. Plus, a full bath with a private shower for those who love biking to work or getting in a lunch-time workout. Eco-friendly water filler stations will be located here and on other levels to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles.

We chose a solid, wide plank, character-grade white oak for our flooring on levels 1, 2 and 3. This flooring was milled to order for 720 Light Street. Big thanks to Baltimore Floor Supply and GrafBros out of South Shore, KY. This is a rift and quartered plank bringing strength, durability and gorgeous textures.

Third Floor

About the space from the release:

This is where you’ll find our Account Services team, PR pros and C-suite. Here, and throughout our studio, audio is integrated and controllable from work stations and smart phones. All parting walls on this floor are soundproofed for this chatty bunch of strategic thinkers. The best part? Rooftop access to one of the most amazing views of Downtown Baltimore.

Lower Level

About the space from the release:

The lower level is where our team can relax and refuel. Tall ceilings, natural light, a polished concrete floor and exposed concrete bearing walls frame our café and gourmet, eat-in kitchen. There’s a twelve foot island that seats six, complete with charging stations for devices. An entertainment area helps our team unwind, recharge and connect to keep our creativity and collaboration fresh.

And in keeping with Vitamin’s commitment to employee health and responsible environmental practices, this area is equipped with interior bike racks for commuting cyclists.