Jun 20 2009
Baltimore’s Biggest Tease – McHenry Row
As someone who lives a block away from the future McHenry Row development, I have a natural interest in the project’s progress. Here’s a synopsis of what’s happened at the construction site since last October: NOTHING. Or at least not much more than nothing. I snapped the photos here back in October of 2008 – almost 9 months ago. If you drive by today, you’ll see not much has changed. Developer Mark Sapperstein ran out of financing back in the fall (BBJ article), and apparently is still working on the new funding.
I say the project’s a tease because the amount of buzz and excitement it has stirred up with area residents. Federal Hill and Locust Point desperately need a decent grocery store. Unless you have a special taste for moldy produce, the Shoppers at Southside Shopping Center comes no where close to “decent.” McHenry row promises to bring relief in the form of a sparkling new Harris Teeter.
Additionally, many of us are excited about other tenant names being thrown around like Panera, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Greene Turtle. The latter two are both shown on the McHenry Row Website, so there’s likely already a deal in place with those two. But given the delays, those deals could fall through perhaps. Green Turtle is particularly exciting. Having a nice restaurant/bar with outdoor seating and parking in South Baltimore will be a unique luxury.
6 Comments to “Baltimore’s Biggest Tease – McHenry Row”
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Sapperstein is an idiot. He had commitments for commercial and office tenants and he instead started work on the overpriced apartment/condos part of the development in a failing real estate market.
If he had built the commercial stuff first, he would have had the cash flow from rents to build the office building — which would’ve then given him even more cash flow from the office rents once it was complete.
My prediction is the development will either languish for years or the land will be sold off and what’s there now will be demolished. You will never see a supermarket on that site.
Sapperstein must have been really gutsy to sign that lease with Harris Teeter. That was only a year ago. We’ll see if he can wiggle his way out of that one.
At that time, it was reported that the grocery store wasn’t to be completed until late 2010. Perhaps he’s biding his time.
I understand your excitement about a good grocery store; but with the other tenants, why are you excited about having the suburbs move into the city? Who wants a bunch of national boring chains to steal the business of the local Locust Point bar/restaurants? Silo Point seems to have the right mix of local/interesting tenants, but the list for McHenry Row reads like a strip mall on Ritchie Highway. If I want to live in Glen Burnie I’ll move there, I don’t need it to move to me…
I’m fine with the suburbs moving in. Locust Point’s restaurants aren’t very strong. Other than the Wine Market, there’s not much worth eating. LP Steamers is an overrated tourist trap. Aloha Tokoyo – was a joke. Nasu Blanca – also a joke. Luca’s – while nicely rehabbed, and a nice staff, the food isn’t very strong and is a bit overpriced. Hull Street is overrated – although there brunch is good. Harvest Table used to be good, but not anymore. Harbaque isn’t bad, but how often can you eat that? So yes – I’m all for something like Green Turtle moving in. Or anything that has a large, good menu of American and/or traditional bar food. Fed Hill has Mothers and many other similar places. Canton has many ,and Fells has a couple. But Locust Point is lacking in this area. I would love to see a Mexican place move in. Chain or small business, either way works.
I’ve noticed some recent construction going on at McHenry Row. Anyone know what is happening there? Did they get some funding to continue?
Rumor has it they’ve found another financier. Although supposedly the project has been delayed a year from its 2010 opening.