The Westside Initative (http://www.downtownwestside.com/) is probably Baltimore's largest redevelopment effort since it developed its Inner Harbor.
The Westside is home to some of Baltimore's most unique and stunning architecture. Not too long ago, this area of Baltimore was THE place to be. It was the premier district in the city for shopping and entertainment. Department stores, resturants, theaters, specialty stores....everything.
But, like in most other city's, white flight and the birth of the shopping mall reduced this once thriving district into THE mecca of Dollar Stores, wig shops, sneaker stores and locally owned CD shops. I'll be honest, lots of redevelopment has already taken place, but for the most part, this is still a very seedy part of town.
But its getting better. Developers are buying everything. Apartments and condos seem to be the most popular type of development. Some properties have been redeveloped into office and retail space. University of Maryland at Baltimore and the UM Hospital and Medical System are located here and their presence has certainly been a driving force in redevelopment.
To be fair, I walked (and took shots of) about 30-40% of the Westside. This is the way I walk to work.
The Zenith is the tallest residential-only tower built in Baltimore since the late 80s/early 90s. Its gonna be across the street from Oriole Park.
Apartments on Pratt Street
Forgot to mention, the University of Maryland's downtown Baltimore campus is located on the Westside
My personal favorite UM Building
UM School of Medicine
Maryland Shock Trauma Unit
Newly constructed student apartments (building in the center)
UM School of Nursing
New UM School of Denistry building
UM School of Social Work
a public plaza
University of Maryland Hospital
UM School of Law
random building
More apartments
Shot of Redwood Street
More UMMS offices
Entrance to an apartment building
This monstracity is called the Abell Building, it was recently purchased by PMC who plans to covert it into either apartments or condos with ground level retail.
Entrance to anotther apartment building
This shot was supposed to be of the apartment building ABOVE the parking garage. (It was early....)
Baltimore's France-Merrick PAC is a westside fixture. It opened in 1914. After years of being vacent, finally reopened about a year ago. Broadway shows and other performances are performed in the Hippodrome theater here. The Miss USA pagent was filmed here too. The entire project spans an entire city block and encompasses the original theater and two old bank buildings.
A parking garage and lofts
These lofts will be online soon.
A 7-11
The VERY old First Mariner Arena (Baltimore really needs a new arena)
A nearly finished apartment building
When I came to work in the morning, these guys were just starting to rebuild the sidewalk.....when I walked past coming home, the sidewalk was done.
22 S. Howard St. (the red building in the center) was recently purchased by New York developers. They plan to turn the building into condos.
Entrance to Bank of America's Centerpoint, a $80 million luxury apartment complex
Theres a huge tower component, but I didnt get a shot of it, heres the rendering though
The Westside has lots and lots of development opportunity...
An office building...
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
These are shots parts of City Center
A public plaza
Mechanic Theater, its closed now, but a developer recently purchased it with plans to turn it into a movie house
Side entrance to the Radisson
Starbucks and another entrance to the Radisson
The World Relief Headquarters
Johns Hopkins Downtown Center
The Westside is home to some of Baltimore's most unique and stunning architecture. Not too long ago, this area of Baltimore was THE place to be. It was the premier district in the city for shopping and entertainment. Department stores, resturants, theaters, specialty stores....everything.
But, like in most other city's, white flight and the birth of the shopping mall reduced this once thriving district into THE mecca of Dollar Stores, wig shops, sneaker stores and locally owned CD shops. I'll be honest, lots of redevelopment has already taken place, but for the most part, this is still a very seedy part of town.
But its getting better. Developers are buying everything. Apartments and condos seem to be the most popular type of development. Some properties have been redeveloped into office and retail space. University of Maryland at Baltimore and the UM Hospital and Medical System are located here and their presence has certainly been a driving force in redevelopment.
To be fair, I walked (and took shots of) about 30-40% of the Westside. This is the way I walk to work.
The Zenith is the tallest residential-only tower built in Baltimore since the late 80s/early 90s. Its gonna be across the street from Oriole Park.
Apartments on Pratt Street
Forgot to mention, the University of Maryland's downtown Baltimore campus is located on the Westside
My personal favorite UM Building
UM School of Medicine
Maryland Shock Trauma Unit
Newly constructed student apartments (building in the center)
UM School of Nursing
New UM School of Denistry building
UM School of Social Work
a public plaza
University of Maryland Hospital
UM School of Law
random building
More apartments
Shot of Redwood Street
More UMMS offices
Entrance to an apartment building
This monstracity is called the Abell Building, it was recently purchased by PMC who plans to covert it into either apartments or condos with ground level retail.
Entrance to anotther apartment building
This shot was supposed to be of the apartment building ABOVE the parking garage. (It was early....)
Baltimore's France-Merrick PAC is a westside fixture. It opened in 1914. After years of being vacent, finally reopened about a year ago. Broadway shows and other performances are performed in the Hippodrome theater here. The Miss USA pagent was filmed here too. The entire project spans an entire city block and encompasses the original theater and two old bank buildings.
A parking garage and lofts
These lofts will be online soon.
A 7-11
The VERY old First Mariner Arena (Baltimore really needs a new arena)
A nearly finished apartment building
When I came to work in the morning, these guys were just starting to rebuild the sidewalk.....when I walked past coming home, the sidewalk was done.
22 S. Howard St. (the red building in the center) was recently purchased by New York developers. They plan to turn the building into condos.
Entrance to Bank of America's Centerpoint, a $80 million luxury apartment complex
Theres a huge tower component, but I didnt get a shot of it, heres the rendering though
The Westside has lots and lots of development opportunity...
An office building...
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
These are shots parts of City Center
A public plaza
Mechanic Theater, its closed now, but a developer recently purchased it with plans to turn it into a movie house
Side entrance to the Radisson
Starbucks and another entrance to the Radisson
The World Relief Headquarters
Johns Hopkins Downtown Center