Let’s take a look at some of the things going on in the area:
New 7-Eleven Opening Soon
We already have three 7-Elevens on the South Peninsula, so I’m sure people won’t be camping out for grand opening of the new location at 1111 Light Street. The 7-Eleven will be relocating from their location at 1024 Light St. and opening within the next week. The new 7-Eleven will be the first action for the 1111 Light Street development. Their old location is still available for any entrepreneurs looking to get in on the hot retail/restaurant market in South Baltimore.
New Owners at Blue Agave
Longtime Federal Hill Mexican restaurant Blue Agave is under new ownership for at least the third time from our calculations. Originally opened by Michael Marx of Miguel’s and Rub BBQ, the new owners will look to keep the upscale Mexican and tequila/margarita bar going for more generations. Here was a statement from their Facebook page:
Blue Agave is under new ownership! We are gonna make some changes, but need your feedback before we do! Message us with things you love, or would like us to change… or stop by and say hello!
Centro/Bicycle Finds New Owners
Another spot that has been a longtime staple of South Baltimore is the site of the old Bicycle restaurant on the 1400 block of Light St. JBL Real Estate has leased the restaurant and we’ll have more details for you soon as things are still being finalized. The west side of the 1400 block will certainly spring back to life with the new tenant and the big renovation going on for the long-blighted property on the corner of Light St. and Fort Ave.
A Castle Comes Back to Life
As most of you are aware, the Pabst Castle on the corner of Charles and Wells St. is undergoing a renovation to become a brewery pub. We will see if there are any hiccups in the permitting and licensing process of the business, but the current restoration work is really looking great. United Restoration has been acid washing the bricks back to their patented Baltimore red and repointing the mortar. They even brought one of the Pabst badges beautifully back to life. SouthBMore.com will keep you posted as we enjoy watching the castle restoration.
Slyce Bar Opens on Monday
Slyce Bar, which has been undergoing a renovation of the former Bill’s Lighthouse Inn, will be opening next Monday. Just from walking by you can see they’ve done a pretty intensive renovation on the inside. I’ve noticed nice brick and metal work, as well as a giant Light St. sign behind the bar. The floors appear to be stained concrete. No work has been done to the outside yet, but hopefully soon as it currently has the decor of an 1980s Ocean City condo.
Update: The Bill’s signs have come down and black paint is currently going up on the outside of the building.
Big Progress on Washington Blvd.
Washington Blvd. in Pigtown is transitioning into a nice little business district and it appears the 700 block is seeing the addition of some nice new store fronts. Several properties near the corner of Washington Blvd. and Barre St. are undergoing a major renovation from Magnum Construction. They are looking very good and will provide another great addition to a growing Main Street. No news yet on who the potential tenants might be.
Oriole Park Releases First Rendering of Renovations
If you’ve been following the sports section this winter or SouthBMore.com, you’ve probably heard about a Eutaw St. renovation underway at Oriole Park. This will include a new monument park where the picnic area used to be, a rooftop bar and concession area on top of the center field batters wall, a lowered right field wall for better Eutaw Street viewing and a new brew pub in the warehouse replacing the Bud Light Warehouse Bar. The Orioles have released their first rendering… can’t wait for that rooftop bar!
Office Condo Building for Sale
Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that an office condominium property at 735-737 S. Hanover St. will be available at Auction from AJ Billig. Chas Salon used to be a tenant of the building, but have since moved to the Ritz Carlton Residences.
Expansion for 101 Wells Property
The southern end of the peninsula continues to be a hot destination for development and it looks like the back building of 101 Wells is finally going to get in on the mix. There are site engineers surveying the surrounding area and they told SouthBMore.com they are doing tests for a renovation of the back portion currently occupied by Guardian Services Group LTD. There also appears to be a moving company affiliated with Guardian or that also works out of the building. Many moving trucks are always parked on the 1900 block of Light St.
If the renovation will include additional apartments for 101 Wells, it does appear that there would be ample parking that could be included. There are several gated off open areas occupied by Guardian as well as a metal warehouse that could come down and become a parking lot. We’ll see what happens, hopefully the developers can leverage the repaving of Light St. in return from the City of Baltimore.
