Baltimore Grows

The most recent issue of Imbibe Magazine listed the top 100 places to drink beer in America, and two of Baltimore’s favorite watering holes got the nod.  One would think that Baltimore would have a few more on the list, considering the number of great places to throw back a pint around here, but the two Baltimore picks are spot-on. 

http://www.imbibemagazine.com/

First Brewer’s Art (one of my favorites) at 1106 N Charles St. in Mt. Vernon was noted as having one of the best bottle lists. That might be true, but whenever I’m there I can’t pull myself away from their heavenly Resurrection Ale.  Imbibe gives a shout out to Resurrection as well, and notes that it is essentially three bars in one: “the hipster-packed rathskeller; glit-edged upstairs bad; and formal, Tudor-inflected dining room”.  I must also say, from my own experience, that the food at Brewer’s Art is as delectable as the beer. 

The second Baltimore bar they ranked I’m kind of upset about.  And that’s because it’s my favorite watering hole in town.  Mahaffey’s Pub in Canton (2706 Dillon St.) was rated as one of the nation’s “Best Kept Secrets”.  Well I guess the secret is out now, but I suppose I can share.  Imbibe describes Mahaffey’s as “hidden in plain sight: just another corner bar in a neighborhood where hardly a block goes by without a neon beer sign.  Inside, it’s cramped and dark and scruffy. The beer lines, however, are sparklingly clean.” 

I must say that the food at Mahaffeys is also very good… especially considering the place is so small that the kitchen is essentially a small grill and fryer behind the bar.  Mahaffey’s is also one of few places where you can get cask ale.  Cask ale is served as cellar temperature and is flatter than normal keg beer, but it makes for an interesting taste.  This place is definitely recommended for beer aficionados.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore citizens will apparently be the guinea pigs for Sprint Nextel’s new WiMax according to an article in the Baltimore Sun today.  Baltimore will be the only city with the new technology until it is launched in Washington and Chicago over the next few months.  I suppose it’s nice to be in the limelight for at least a little while.  The technology, which requires special hardware, will allow computer users and mobile device users to connect to a broadband network basically anywhere in the city.  Plans will range from $25 to $45 a month. 

Read the Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

First the developers at Marketplace at Fells point switched from Condos to Apartments.  Then, ArcWheeler, the developer of 10 Inner Harbor, started to look at the proportion of condos in their project.  Now, Lexington Square Partners is revisiting their approach to the huge “Superblock” project in Baltimore’s West Side. 

Call it a sign of the times, but it seems like everyone is thinking things over a little more and mulling over decisions carefully.  All in all, the overall scope and size of these projects has remained relatively consistant, but the components or proportion of uses in the “mixed use” has changed.  For instance, the Superblock project will be changing as follows:

Original plan, unveiled in April 2007
Apartments: 400 units in two 14-story towers
Shops: 300,000 square feet
Parking: 900 spaces

Plan presented recently to the BDC board
Apartments: 360 units in one 32-story tower and smaller buildings plus a 150 room hotel.
Shops: 152,000 square feet
Parking: 800 spaces

Click Here to read the article

While the number of apartment units and retail space has been decreased, the developers have added a hotel component… not a bad deal overall.  The taller building will also likely stand out some more, helping to anchor the “new” west side.

The big downside to these changes are the delays associated with them.  In most cases, changes like these require changes to the Planned Unit Development (PUD), which requires the developers to present the revised plan to community associations and city officials.  Tack on time for re-design, permitting, bidding, and so forth, the process could take 6 to 12 months.  At least we can be thankful that developers aren’t walking out on projects (at least not yet).

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Baltimore, Maryland recently began welcoming the first homeowners. The project is being developed by New York based RexCorp, after changing hands because of some legal troubles during the construction process. The Baltimore project is the first ever condo project with no hotel component that will be branded and operated by the Ritz-Carlton.

“Baltimore has never seen anything like this,” said Kurt Hornig, sales consultant at the upscale development. “It’s like living in a Ritz-Carlton Hotel without all the guests.”

View of Ritz-Carlton Residences from Harbor East neighborhood

To read more CLICK HERE

I recently stumbled across this article in the Maryland Daily Record on cities that are rethinking their parking standards in an effort to build more density and better walkability (Follow this link to the article).
Baltimore has standards, like many other cities, requiring developers of new projects to provide a certain amount of off-street parking.  The thought behind this is that the new development would then not add to or create parking problems nearby.  On the contrary, the policy adds to traffic congestion, by encouraging more people to drive…more parking garages are created taking away from retail, office, and residential space that adds to the city’s density. 

The question is, should we in Baltimore move away from this policy?  I would argue that this would be possible in Baltimore if public transportation was better, but wouldn’t the push for better public transportation come if parking were more difficult?  What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Interesting article today on the Washington Business Journal. According to some the government’s planned takeover of $700 billion in bad mortgages will eventually lead to an increase in the area’s economy. They point to the post-911 response and savings and loan crisis of the 80’s, as other major events that spawned increased government spending and local jobs. As most of us know the Baltimore-Washington area is often lumped together as one metropolitan area. The economies of the two cities tend to be linked as they share commuters from local counties, and even from within the city limits. So in theory, what’s good for the macro DC economy is also good for the Baltimore metro area’s economy.

David Kessler of accounting firm Reznick Group P.C. had this to say - “It’s going to create a whole new industry of services for all of us, for the banking sector, for commercial real estate, the advisory and brokerage sector, legal and accounting…” “We’re going to see a boost in the local economy as a result of that.”

Baltimore’s Best Hotel

Recently I was asked what the best hotel in Baltimore was. Having not stayed in many hotels in the city, I didn’t really have a good answer. I know which ones look nice from the outside, are in a good location, or perhaps have nice lobbies, but that’s about it. So to better answer the question I directed them to the first place I always go when looking for a hotel – www.tripadvisor.com. The site allows users to rate hotels and post photos and videos. The rankings below are based on Trip Advisor ratings. FYI – some hotels are ranked lower when they don’t have many reviews.

Best Baltimore Hotels

1. Henderson’s Wharf Inn (5 out of 5)
2. Hampton Inn Baltimore - Camden Yards (4.5 out of 5)
3. Residence Inn Baltimore Downtown / Inner Harbor (4.5 out of 5)
4. Homewood Suites by Hilton Baltimore (4.5 out of 5)
5. Renaissance Harborplace Hotel (4 out of 5)
6. Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (4 out of 5)
7. Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown / Inner Harbor (4 out of 5)
8. Hilton Baltimore (4.5 out of 5) *
9. Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor (4 out of 5)
10. SpringHill Suites Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor (4 out of 5)

Best 4 and 5 Star Baltimore Hotels

1. InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore (4.5 out of 5)
2. Renaissance Harborplace Hotel (4 out of 5)
3. Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (4 out of 5)
4. Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel (4 out of 5)
5. Hyatt Regency Baltimore (3.5 out of 5)
6. Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards (3.5 out of 5)
7. Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore (3 out of 5)
8. Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel (3 out of 5)
9. Doubletree Inn at The Colonnade (3 out of 5)

Best Baltimore B&Bs and Inns

1. Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast ( 5 out of 5)
2. Inn at 2920 (4.5 out of 5)
3. Blue Door on Baltimore (4.5 out of 5)
4. Aunt Rebecca’s Bed & Breakfast (4 out of 5)
5. Wilson House Bed and Breakfast (4 out of 5)
6. 1840s Carrollton Inn (4.5 out of 5)
7. Celie’s Waterfront Bed and Breakfast ( 3 out of 5)
8. Ann Street Bed & Breakfast (3.5 out of 5)
9. Glenda’s Bed & Breakfast (3.5 out of 5)
10. Park Avenue Bed and Breakfast (3.5 out of 5)

Everyone knows that the financial market has been collapsing recently, but it’s unclear how the current crisis might affect Baltimore.  Almost certainly no one will know for sure until the dust settles, but one can always speculate.

Almost certainly New York City has the most to lose.  Out of New York’s population, it’s estimated that over a half a million people work in finance.  Already 25,000 people at Lehman Brothers have lost their jobs.  There will undoubtedly be more losses to come.

While it’s been a while since Baltimore has been a major player in the finance world, the current crisis could have an effect on the major institutions that still operate here.

For instance, Morgan Stanley’s plans to expand their operations in Fells Point by 900 people along with expansion into a new building in Harbor Point could be brought into question with news today that they are in talks with Wachovia for a possible sale.

Click HERE to read the article

The Baltimore Sun reported today that Constellation Energy, one of Baltimore’s few remaining fortune 500 companies, might be considering a sale to a French Energy Company.

Click HERE to read the article

Legg Mason, who’s funds were once stars in the overall market, are now being battered…especially the Value Trust Fund, which had previously set a record for beating the S&P 500 for 15 years in a row.

Click HERE to read the article

Undoubtedly, Baltimore will feel the effects of the financial crisis in one way or another.  However, Baltimore as a whole is well positioned to weather the economic downturn better than most other regions.  Baltimore is still booming in healthcare and education, and the economic effects of military speding and the Base Relocation Plan will be beneficial for years to come.  While we can not rest on our laurels, we may may remain cautiously optimistic.  Let’s hope that when that dust settles, we’ll only need a slight brush off the shoulders and be able to continue the economic prosperity of the past several years. 

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Baltimore Business Journal reported that OZ Chophouse will be opening a location in the new Ritz Carlton Residences.  This will be OZ’s second location.  Their other restaurant is located in Maple Lawn, Howard County (near Laurel).  OZ specializes in steaks and burgers (all made to order).  I’ve only had their burgers at their Maple Lawn location, which were delicious, but can’t comment on their other menu items. 

The restaurant is decribed as “swank yet casual”, but I was suprised that they didn’t come up with something a bit more “upscale” for the Ritz.  I was thinking a 5 star restaurant perhaps?  The BBJ did say that this would be the Ritz Carlton’s “first” new restaurant, so maybe there’s more to come?

Click HERE to read the article

Visit their website:  http://www.ozchophouse.com/

Plans were unveiled yesterday for the 100 million dollar Pratt Street makeover. Over a year in the making, this project has the opportunity to change the center of Baltimore City in ways that only a few other projects have.

Click HERE to read the article

People have been quick to criticize, citing that the plan “lacks height”, demolishes the skybridges, and eliminates the largest public fountain in Baltimore city. I on the other hand applaud city officials and designers for thinking big and taking the steps necessary to transform Baltimore City into something greater.

The project stands to add over 650,000 square feet of retail. The fact that the proposed buildings “lack height” has absolutely no bearing whatsoever. The slim parcels of land that they would be able to carve out of the existing Pratt St. aren’t large enough to support skyscrapers, nor are skyscrapers necessary for this plan to work. Building huge buildings closer to the waterfront is contrary to the inner harbor master plan anyway, which called for a “tiered” effect from the water. Height of buildings is not what makes other “great streets” successful. Most retail on New York’s 5th Ave, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, and the Champs Elysees isn’t more than 2 or 3 stories anyway. It’s the proximity to the street that matters, and the creation of a truly urban effect…one that is lost in the current design.

The skybridges were the worst idea anyone ever came up with. They create a second level that robs the street of pedestrian activity and vibrancy. Baltimore will never have street level retail if we remove people from the streets. New Yorkers can manage to cross the streets without sky bridges, and their streets are way more congested than ours.

The fountain will not be a loss. It is a giant blockade at the corner of the most important intersection in the city. It effectively serves as a wall…keeping visitors to the inner harbor at the harbor. With the fountain out of the way, people will be presented with a huge public plaza and will be drawn beyond the harbor and further into the city. This city deserves a great public plaza like this one.

The plan is a bold one, and many Baltimoreans are afraid of change. We need to quit complaining, make positive suggestions to the right people where we can, and get on with it!

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com