Baltimore Grows

The Baltimore Business Journal reported that H&S properties is planning a 280 room Westin Hotel as part of their Harbor Point project adjacent to Harbor East. The article also seems to confirm that the developers will be courting a high end department store, possibly Barneys, to anchor the retail portion of the project. Previous rumors suggested that H&S was also courting Neiman Marcus. With this news, it seems that the Southeast side of the harbor could become the new mecca for shopping in Baltimore, desperately needed since the decline of Howard street over the past few decades.

Click Here to Read the Article

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When Rolling Stone Magazine recently named Baltimore as having the nation’s “Best Scene”, it left many people scratching their heads.  How could Baltimore be considered as having the best music scene when most national acts pass up the city for larger venues in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.?  Yet another segment of people agreed with Rolling Stone, and say they got it right…but about two years late. 

The latter segment of people are probably those that are familiar with Baltimore’s vibrant and thriving underground music scene.  This scene is led by loosely organized groups that often times draw hundreds of mostly young participants to dilapidated old buildings and warehouses in parts of town most people would never recognize to see performances that range from hip-hop to electronic, folk to jazz.  Typically the shows are never advertised and sometimes the locations of the events are passed by word of mouth to those “in the know”.  While not outwardly apparent, this scene is poised to build up Baltimore as a major player in the national music arena while energizing the city’s young residents and fostering even greater activity for Baltimore’s nightlife.  While it’s hard to gauge the scope of this scene, it’s possible to get somewhat of an idea by exploring some of its pillars.  Here’s to name a few:

Wham City - Music, art, performance, writings…this organization is mainly know by it’s annual Whartscape festival (scheduled this year for July 17th through 20th).  Most of the events take place in and around the Station North neighborhood.  http://www.whamcity.com/

Charm City Arts Space - All volunteer organization based out of a dilapidated rowhouse in the Station North neighborhood.  There’s no sign and the place looks like it’s about to fall down, so you’d never notice the place if you were to walk or drive by.  They have art and music events a few times a week.  http://www.ccspace.org/index.php

The Talking Head Club - Originally located in a small building on an alley downtown, they’re currently operating out of Sonar at 407 E. Saratoga.  The original building had no windows and appeared to be abandoned (which is probably why it shut down). http://www.talkingheadclub.com/

While not all people are likely to appreciate this unique part Baltimore culture, we can appreciate it for adding to the city’s quirkiness, coolness, and as some would say “charm”.  After all, this is not anytown USA…this is Baltimore…this is to be expected.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

All great cities have one, so if Baltimore is (or is going to be) the Greatest City in America, then we better get one too! See the information below regarding the potential for a Baltimore Design Center.  Also visit http://alterurban.com/bdc.htm

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This Labor Day weekend, August 28-31, 2008, the 28th annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show will open its doors to over 30,000 attendees looking for unique, one-of-a-kind treasures among over 550 international dealers and a 60-dealer Antiquarian Book Fair. An educational lecture series enhances the show and will offer attendees and the general public a chance to learn about a wide range of topics relating to antiques featuring an all-star line-up of speakers, all renowned experts in their fields. Continue Reading »

I came across this blog in my online search to promote the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show and thought I might find some readers who may be interested in attending this event. Art and antique aficionados from across the country and around the world will celebrate the final days of summer at the 28th annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 28-31 at the Baltimore Convention Center.  Guests will have the unique opportunity to view and purchase from the collections of over 550 international dealers drawn from the United States, Canada, France, Italy, and England all in one place, all at one time.  Showcased collections of fine art, jewelry, silver, porcelain, American folk art, decorative accessories, furniture, glass, textiles and more ranging from the antiquities to the 20th century will line aisle after aisle at the largest summer antiques show in the nation.  The show also includes a 60-dealer Antiquarian Book Fair offering rare books, first editions, fine manuscripts, autographs, and unusual bibliographical material.

Adding to the event’s cultural experience, the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show will once again present an educational lecture series that is free to the public as well as show attendees.  The lecture series, which debuted in 2007, includes presentations on a wide variety of topics by respected dealers and industry experts.

Thursday, August 28     12 pm – 8 pm
Friday, August 29          11 am – 7 pm
Saturday, August 30     11am – 7 pm
Sunday, August 31    11am – 6 pm

Baltimore Convention Center: One West Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21201
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call the Palm Beach Show Group at 561-822-5440 or visit www.baltimoresummerantiques.com.

Enjoy!

Baltimore will be getting some positive press as a documentary highlighting the revitalization will be aired on public television.  The program, on MPT tomorrow at 10:00 PM, will cover the redevelopment of Baltimore’s downtown starting in the 1950’s.  The program will mainly focus on the inner harbor and its influence on cities across the world who have tried to mimic its success.  There is also a pretty cool website with other information, including a time lapse video of one day in the life of the harbor.  Check it out:

http://www.globalharbors.org/index.html

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The old Baltimore Broom Factory, which sits at a highly visible location on the corner of Boston and Conkling Streets in Southeast Baltimore’s Brewer’s Hill neighborhood, will be undergoing a redevelopment over the summer months. The building, which really was a broom factory at one point, previously contained low rent studio space for artists, fabric suppliers, and the like. Rumor has it that the newly renovated building will be home to a new 300 seat restaurant. The Broom Factory project will complement other developments in the area including the Brewers Hill Project by SBER across Conkling St. and Ed Hale’s Canton Crossing projet across Boston St. Over the next four years, this area of Southeast Baltimore stands to gain over 1000 housing units and thousands of feet of retail space.

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Hi everyone,

I heard and read about Baltimore being an unsafe place while I’m planning to transfer to the University to Baltimore. I think that in any city it’s not that safe to walk in the streets late at night but is it worse over there? I’m starting being scared. So please guys, tell me everything about Baltimore. In which neighborhoods near the university can I live, study, and be safe? How are people over there? And one more thing: Has anyone been in Cresmont Loft Apartments?

The Baltimore Sun reported today that the City Board of Estimates cleared the way for a 20 year, $12 million dollar tax break that will allow the $75 million dollar Fitzgerald project to move forward.  The Fitzgerald Project, near University of Baltimore will consist of more than 200 luxury apartments, 40,000 sf of retail, and a parking garage. Plans posted on the developer’s website (Bozzuto) also show a supermarket.  The project is bounded by the Mt. Royal Ave, W. Oliver St., Maryland Ave, I-83, and the Light Rail tracks.  Construction will begin this summer.

Click here to view the site plan
 

Canstruction, a popular competition that takes place in cities around the world, is coming to Baltimore.  Especially popular in larger cities like New York and Chicago, the Canstruction competition pits local architecture firms against each other in this one day event. 

Thousands of canned food items to feed the hungry will be used to create colossal structures on Saturday May 17th from 6am to 3pm.  Participants will include teams from Ayers/Saint/Gross, RTKL, CSD, Curry Architects, and Marks Thomas Architects.  Judging a will begin at 3:30 pm with a reception and gala to follow at 5pm.  The entire event will take place in the Harborplace and Gallery Mall in the Inner Harbor.  The structures will be on display through Memorial Day Weekend where you can vote for your favorite. 

The event is being sponsored by AIA Baltimore and the Harborplace/Gallery Mall. 

 Visit http://www.canstruction.org/ or http://www.aiabalt.com/  for more information.