Former Rallo’s on Fort Avenue Under Renovation for Future Restaurant Tenant
War Horse Cities is continuing its investment at the corner of Lawrence St. and E. Fort Ave, which borders Riverside and Locust Point, as it is currently renovating the former Rallo’s Restaurant at 838 E. Fort Ave. and the two adjacent rowhomes. War Horse, which also co-developed Anthem House across the street, is finishing up construction on A2 by Anthem House located in Rallo’s former parking lot behind the building.
Rallo’s made its home at the corner rowhome from 1941 to 2011 before the business was sold and renamed Big Matty’s Diner. The diner was later sold to brothers Nick and Steve Karvounis who spent a couple years on Fort Ave. before they relocated to Southside Marketplace and rebranded the business at Southside Diner. The brothers were bought out of their lease on Fort. Ave. by War Horse Cities.
The Rallo’s building and the two adjacent rowhomes served as a staging area and field office during the construction of Anthem House and A2. The properties and the former parking were purchased by War Horse in 2012. The former Thornton’s Pub liquor license was transferred to 838 E. Fort Ave. in 2015 as Thornton’s was converted into a residence.
Jim Mills of War Horse told SouthBMore.com that they are proceeding with a vanilla renovation of the former Rallo’s so that an operator can come in and add their own touches and design. The 4,064 sq. ft., two-story building could be laid out as a two-story restaurant and will have a back patio in the former parking pad behind the building. The space is currently being marketed for lease.
The two adjacent rowhomes are being renovated into two-bedroom homes with parking pads and finished basements. These homes will be available for rent and the tenants will be able to use the Anthem House amenity package which includes a pool, gym, dog run, elevated park space, and community gathering spaces. Mills expects the homes to be ready later this year.
Anthem House currently has one retail space still available for lease at the corner space facing Lawrence St. and Fort Ave. Mills said War Horse has been working with several interested tenants.
Current retail tenants at Anthem House include Bar Method, Amber, and Jazz + Soju. Limoncello is currently under construction.
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.
