Three New Townhomes Planned Next to The Hollins Market
Development company In Habit is planning to build three new townhomes at 1101-1105 Hollins St. in Hollins Market. The property is at the corner of Hollins St. and Arlington Ave. and is across the street from the Hollins Market.
The properties have served as a green space in recent years. Two homes stood at the site until they collapsed in 2000 when a load-bearing wall was removed. The homes were completely demolished after the collapse.
War Horse Cities previously had plans for three townhomes at the property, but the project never moved forward and was acquired by In Habit in partnership with capital investment from The Aequo Fund.
In Habit is owned by Megan Elcrat and Phillip Jones who also own architecture firm Present Company. The Aequo Fund was started by SAA/EVI Co-managing Member Ernst Valery who developed Bath House Square in Pigtown and is making additional investments in Hollins Market.
Hollins Market is in a Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) district. In Habit has been working with the commission on the designs. Elcrat says Present Company does a lot of historic work and that was one of the reasons her and Jones were drawn to the opportunity. She noted the neighborhood has a lot of historic architecture to pull from for inspiration.
Elcrat said In Habit would of been interested in the opportunity with or without the continued investments to the adjacent Hollins Market, which has a second phase of renovation upcoming next year, but she noted it is a bonus.
The new 1,840 sq. ft. townhomes will be have three stories, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a rooftop deck. The facade on the first two stories of the homes will be made of different patterns of CMU. There will be a metal material on the side and front of the third-story additions.
Elcrat described the interior as “livable modern.” The design has exposed ceiling beams, exposed CMU, hardwood floors, and open layouts. She said buyers can choose whether they want the dining room or living room in the front of the house. The windows on the front of the house will open up as doors to juliet balconies.
The third story will have a bedroom and bathroom as well as a living room that opens out to the rooftop deck. The living room will open up to the rooftop deck with either a garage door or another type of large opening.
Elcrat said they are still running the costs, but she hopes the homes will be available for under $300,000.
In Habit has been working with the Hollins Market and Union Square communities on the design of the project. Both communities groups support the project. The project also has the support of Councilman John Bullock.
Elcrat said she hopes this project is a “proof of concept” for small-footprint homes that In Habit can translate to other sites around the city.
Renderings from Present Company
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.
