A group of Girl Scouts recently got the chance to help tear down walls as part of efforts to establish a new hub in Newark.

Paramount Assets started construction on the new Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Leadership Center at its office building located at 375 McCarter Highway June 27. To kick off the project, GSHNJ and Paramount executives welcomed local officials and others to a ceremonial “wall breaking” and lease signing June 27.

Fronting both McCarter Highway and Broad Street, the 151,032-square-foot building was built in 1979 and renovated in 2024. Upon completion, the first ever GSHNJ Leadership Center will occupy 5,436 square feet of street-level space. The hub will serve the 13,000 Girls Scouts in the region and its 9,000 adult volunteers as well as local girls and families.

Commenting on the new space, GSHNJ Chief Executive Officer Natasha Hemmings described the Brick City as an “ideal choice” for the inaugural hub. She cited the “strategic location, dynamic growth and vibrant diversity.”

“This expansion allows us to bring Girl Scouts to girls who may not have had access before, as well as to better serve our current membership of Girl Scouts, offering innovative and equitable access in a safe, supportive space,” Hemmings said.

Building foundations

The space will offer services, programs and events with space for administrative operations, storage, basic kitchen facilities, restrooms, parking and 24/7 security.

Looking outward, Paramount Assets said exterior signage will include a community-oriented Girl Scouts-branded mural. Further enhancing location ties, a Newark artist will create the public art piece.

Completion of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Leadership Center is set for the fall.

375 McCarter Highway offers quick access to Routes 21, U.S. 1&9, 78 and 280. It is just over 1 mile from Newark Penn Station and a nearby bus route runs seven days a week. Other tenants at the distinctive property include Dash Mart by DoorDash NJ, the State of New Jersey, EZ-Pass, Gopuff, Newark Downtown District, Newark One-Stop Career Center and Concentra Urgent Care.

The Leadership Center will offer activities including clinics, trips, cultural exchanges, community service projects and environmental stewardship. GSHNJ pointed to how the unique approach helps girls develop individual potential, relate to others and develop core values. Girl Scouting also helps foster leadership skills and cooperation.

GSHNJ serves Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren and parts of Middlesex counties. It has service centers in North Branch and Westfield and operates three summer camps: Camp Hoover in Middleville, Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough and The OVAL in Maplewood.

Family-owned real estate investment firm Paramount Assets is also based in Newark. The company is known for repurposing underused historical buildings for affordable housing, restaurants, banks, shopping centers and more – while retaining their original structure and grandeur. Its portfolio currently includes 3 million square feet of space across commercial, multifamily and mixed-use holdings.

Joining Hemmings at the event were GSHNJ board Chair Naima Ricks, City of Newark Council President and congressional candidate LaMonica Iver, Newark East Ward Council Member Michael Silva and Senior Projects Specialist Kaitlin McGuinness of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s office.

“The region’s Girl Scouts will soon have an exciting, new facility that will provide them with a nearby place to meet, learn, and hold memorable events,” commented Paramount Assets Senior Vice President Richard Dunn. “This new Leadership Center will serve their current members and leaders, but more importantly grow their involvement in the Newark community and bring their programs to larger numbers of girls.”