224-Unit Apartment Building Set to Move Forward at McHenry Row
McHenry Row developer Mark Sapperstein and his company 28 Walker are moving forward on plans for a new 224-unit apartment building at the Locust Point complex. Using the parking lots and space created from the demolition of a former cold storage facility at the old Phillips Headquarters, 28 Walker recently constructed a 600-car parking garage and is now in the planning phase for the new apartment building which would be built north of the garage and south of office buildings 1 and 2 that face Fort Ave.
The proposed apartment building is five stories high and will include mostly one- and two-bedroom apartments with the potential for some three-bedroom apartments. The building will surround an exterior courtyard that will feature a pool. The building will also have a gym and rooftop deck.
Sapperstein told SouthBMore.com that the apartments would be high-end, but certainly not some of the most expensive units in the city. He hopes to begin construction this year.
The Locust Point Civic Association (LPCA) has reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sapperstein for the new development. The MOU states that the building must include in its lease prices one on-site, off-street parking space per apartment unit. The organizations also agreed that prior to occupancy at the new building, the following improvements must be made: an extension of the right turn-only lane on the east side of Whetstone Way between McHenry Row and Fort Ave.; installation of a new right turn-only lane on the west side of Whetstone Way between Fort Ave. and McHenry Row; and, the installation of signage at all three access points to the property to prohibit left turns from the property onto Fort Ave. during the hours of 4pm to 7pm.
An additional phase will be built by 28 Walker south of the new parking garage in a space that is currently used as Harris Teeter’s surface parking lot. 28 Walker and LPCA have agreed that any future development must consist of either a senior housing facility with a maximum of 225 units or a hotel with a maximum of 200 rooms. Sapperstein said this agreement fits into his plans for the property. He noted a senior housing facility would be a great alternative for senior residents who are priced out of much of the housing in Locust Point and that a hotel could be a great asset to the community and could pick up a lot of business from the Port of Baltimore cruise terminal across the street. No timeline has been set for this phase.
Buildings 1 and 2 were recently redeveloped and include a 60,000 sq. ft. space for MAIF, a 47,000 sq. ft. space for Under Armour, a 13,000 sq. ft. space for MindGrub, a 12,000 sq. ft. space for Shapiro & Co., a 10,000 sq. ft. space for Kiddie Academy, and a 6,800 sq. ft. brewery for Diamondback. The first phase of McHenry Row was completed in 2012 and featured a Harris Teeter, two garages, two apartment buildings, an office building, and first floor retail along Whetstone Way.
28 Walker has also made improvements to the adjacent South Baltimore Little League complex.
Drawing from Kimley Horn
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
