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Central Baltimore

Photo Credit: Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association

Home to the world famous Inner Harbor and historic neighborhoods of Mt. Vernon and Bolton Hill, Central Baltimore is at the heart of everything — culture, history, cuisine, shopping… you name it, it’s here.

Central Baltimore is a fabulous place to live and work, offering every type of convenience. This is a neighborhood that will wrap you up in its past, present and future. You won’t want to leave.

Central Baltimore neighborhoods include:
Charles North | Downtown | Inner Harbor | Mid-town Belvedere | Mount Vernon | Seton Hill | Bolton Hill | Madison Park | Resevoir Hill | Druid Heights | Heritage Crossing | Upton

Charles North
Charles North is made up mostly of commercial property and residential areas are predominately rentals. But the area is support by a strong community association, The Charles Street Development Corporation.

Charles Street became known as Baltimore's upscale retail corridor. With this growth came the establishment of the George Peabody Institute, Walters Art Museum, The Johns Hopkins University and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Today, the history, architecture and culture that founded Charles Street's early years of prosperity are again fueling its redevelopment; revitalization efforts are encouraging tourism, as well as commercial, retail and residential land use. Today, what were once large houses are now being converted into apartments.

The corridor from Midtown Charles Street to the Charles North neighborhoods is host to two incomparable educational institutions--The University of Baltimore and the Maryland Institute, College of Art as the concert halls of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera House.

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Downtown
Downtown Baltimore represents a unique way of living, a cosmopolitan culture unlike anything else in the region. Life in Downtown Baltimore is about fun, vibrancy, convenience, and charm.

You wake up at your Westside loft. . . you're a little late because you decided to stay for the last inning of the game last night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards…the local news is reporting heavy traffic jams getting into Downtown…you smile because you know your commute will take only 10 minutes… you walk to your office in Charles Center. . .catch a lunchtime concert at Hopkins Plaza… run some errands as you walk back to the office…grab dinner at one of the restaurants at the Waterfront after work. . .then stroll through scenic Mount Vernon before heading home.

More and more people are discovering the benefits to being Downtown. This is why the Downtown Housing Initiative will expand Downtown's housing supply by at least 1,300 units during the next few years, mostly through the conversion of historic older buildings into market rate apartment units.

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Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor offers high-rise rental apartments or for-sale condominium towers that overlook the infamous waterway. Where else could you sit on your balcony and enjoy a stunning view of the harbor with the downtown skyline in the background. The center of all of the action is literally right in your front yard.

The Inner Harbor features world-class attractions such as the National Aquarium and Port Discovery Children's Museum as well as thousands of hotel rooms and acres of meeting space. People can enjoy fine shopping, dining and entertainment at Harborplace, the Power Plant and Power Plant Live. Nearby communities include Little Italy, Jonestown, Harborview, and Inner Harbor East.

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Belvedere
Belvedere is a diverse and proud neighborhood that enjoys all of the benefits of living within walking distance of most of the downtown business districts, the ever popular Inner Harbor, restaurants, nightclubs, libraries, museums, music, and theater.

The community has the character of a village with residential sections surrounding the community-scaled commercial hub at the intersection of York Road and E. Belvedere Avenue. The area is anchored by three landmarks. The Govans Presbyterian Church is a beautiful old stone church sitting on 8 acres of land, up a small knell on the west side of York Road. The church has been a leader in the community, providing an excellent pre-school used by many local families, and featuring a Senior Center with extensive offerings. The tolling of its bells can be heard throughout the community. The Senator Theatre, one of the finest Art Deco buildings in Baltimore, is probably the best-known landmark. The Senator features quality movies and special events and hosts premieres of films shot in Baltimore. The Belvedere Shopping Center, now called Belvedere Square, was opened in 1948. It, along with the rest of the commercial district, provides shopping, dining and services to area residents. The Belvedere Improvement Association is a very active community organization with meetings, special events, and a newsletter, the Belvedere Beacon. It also represents the community to the City government and its agencies and other civic organizations on matters of local importance. Each street has one or more "Block Representatives" who provide direct outreach.

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Mount Vernon
A National Register Historic District, Mount Vernon encompasses the best of what city living has to offer. This lively neighborhood not only serves as the cultural center of Baltimore but as the home to a diverse group of residents and businesses. College students who walk to class and professionals who work here, downtown, or as far away as Washington and New York are just some of the people who take advantage of Mt. Vernon's convenient location. Singles and empty nesters, who seek to avoid the monotony of the suburbs, enjoy a wide array of art, entertainment, and services just steps from their front door. Living spaces include, single family Victorian row homes, carriage houses, condominiums, apartments in row homes, and several high-rises.

Today, Mount Vernon is Baltimore's centerpiece of urban design. Residents and visitors to this cultural campus enjoy being only steps away from numerous galleries, world-class museums, music, cafes, restaurants, markets, places of worship, institutions, organizations, and businesses call this area home. Baseball, football, cinemas, theater and Harborplace are within walking distance. From the century-old Flower Mart to the newer First Thursdays and Book Festival, people enjoy the variety of annual activities that occur here. The central location and the well-built historic homes are enticing to newcomers. These homes feature materials, details and craftsmanship unavailable today in new construction at any price. Mansions built by Baltimore's elite more than a century ago are being restored.

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Seton Hill
An area rich in religious, Afro-American and architectural history, Seton Hill was designated, in 1968, as a Historic and Architectural Preservation District of Baltimore City and in 1975, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Seton Hill is architecturally significant as one of Baltimore’s earliest intact rowhouse neighborhoods. Small shops and convenience stores border this residential area of mixed economics and mixed ethnicities. Seton Hill is among the most stable residential communities within the downtown area with some residents living here as long as 20 years. Seton Hill is an ideal choice for downtown living for a wide range of lifestyles.

Seton Hill attractions include:

• Mother Seton House - once home to America’s first native-born Saint
• Old Saint Mary’s Chapel - dramatic example of Neo-Gothic architecture
• Orchard Street Church - one of the oldest black churches, beautifully restored
• St. Mary’s Park - site of the first seminary in the U.S. and Baltimore’s first university; it now provides acres of natural serenity tucked into a bustling downtown landscape.

Seton Hill is served by numerous MTA bus lines, the Light Rail, and the Metro Subway and is within close proximity to Walter’s Art Gallery, Washington Monument, Enoch Pratt Main Library, Lexington Market, Trinacria’s Italian Market, Arena Players, Baltimore Symphony, University of Maryland and University of Baltimore.

Historically, the area is linked to the Saint Mary’s Seminary, the first Catholic Seminary in the United States and Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American canonized saint. Located on the Seminary grounds and placed on the National Register of Historical Landmarks are The Chapel of Our Lady of the Preservation, one of America’s oldest and finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture and the Mother Seton House, home of Elizabeth Ann Seton.

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Bolton Hill
Bolton Hill is a neighborhood with tranquil tree lined streets, small quaint urban parks with fountains that complement the period architecture of 19th century mansion homes and modern townhomes. Most homes contain plots of exterior space set out as hidden retreats or formal gardens that combine with the elegant buildings to make Bolton Hill an urban retreat in the city.

This neighborhood is located within walking distance of the city's cultural district that includes the Lyric Theater, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Walters Art Gallery, and Everyman Theater. The newly renovated Charles Theater featuring first run movies and art films is only a short walk. The H. Lewis Gallery features shows by local artists. Penn Station with Amtrak and MARC is a five-minute walk and three light rail stations serve the neighborhood. Two bistros, jr. and the Hidden Bean, provide the neighborhood with eclectic menus and some of Baltimore’s best restaurants are only a short distance away (Spike and Charlie's, La Tessa Tano, City Cafe, Arrogant Director, Central Station, Donatello's, Viccino's, and several pubs). Mapleleaf, Fitzgerald, Park Avenue, and Eutaw Place parks provide a chance to meet neighbors, linger, and enjoy being part of Bolton Hill. The Bolton Swim and Tennis club is the center of summer activities for many residents and children in Bolton Hill with an olympic pool, a youth swim team, 4 tennis courts, a tennis pro, a playground, and a picnic area. A fall Festival on the Hill brings visitors and residents together to celebrate with food, crafts, music, and art. Artscape, a summer Baltimore Celebration of the Arts, brings national and local artist to the neighborhood in a three-day festival and celebration combining food, music, and the arts. The Bolton Hill Band Concert is an annual attraction in Fitzgerald Park featuring the Baltimore City Band with spirited music, good food, and camaraderie.

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Madison Park
Madison Park is Baltimore’s seventh Historic District, designated in 1977. The district is composed of late Victorian rowhouses and churches, and extends from the 1800-2100 blocks of Madison Avenue.

With the exception of a few structures, all of the buildings in the proposed district were built between 1876 and 1894. These rowhouse groups, developed during the era of the Annexation of 1888, were built, and often designed, by master carpenters and builders who were responsible for much of the appearance of Bolton Hill, Charles Village, Upton and reservoir Hill. In later years, builders like Francis E. Yewell and Jacob Gerwig were major real estate developers in the growing suburbs of northwest Baltimore

In the 1920’s, many of Baltimore’s black professionals moved into the neighborhood. These families — The Wilson’s, the Ford’s the Jordan’s-boasted newspaper owners, leading businessmen and educators among their members. At that time, the Madison Park area was one of a very few middle class areas open to blacks. During World War II, many residences were converted into apartments.

The continuing desirability of the neighborhood is confirmed by its popularity among prominent political leaders and college professors. The tradition of long-term family residences and home ownership contributes to the stability of the community.

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Reservoir Hill
This area is one of Baltimore’s historic and resurgent communities. Known for its beautiful nineteenth century architecture, large mansions, and close proximity to Druid Hill Park – one of the largest urban parks in America, Reservoir Hill is quickly becoming “the Place” to call home.

You’ll find Reservoir Hill to be diverse in architectural design, and in the individuals and families that make up the community. The community consists of well-known artists, entrepreneurs, educators, professionals, executives, students, and people from various backgrounds. Although the backgrounds and professions are diverse, the goal of the neighborhood is common – to embrace and enrich the community for people who choose urban living in Reservoir Hill.

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Druid Heights
Druid Heights is rich in character and diversity. The community has been an important African American community for well over one hundred years. It has two commercial corridors, North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue and a history for entertainment and religious attractions in the area.

After a turbulent thirty-year period where the community witnessed rapid deterioration in its housing stock, municipal neglect and out-migration of middle and upper income residents, the community today is undergoing an upward transition. Where blocks of abandoned, vacant houses once stood, there are now beautiful two and three-story owner-occupied town homes, some with built-in garages and others with private rear parking pads. Old playgrounds are being renovated, luxurious three bedroom apartments are available for low and moderate-income families and there is an aggressive partnership between the Bank of America and Druid Heights CDC to produce nearly 100 new single-family homes. Other plans for the area include the development of open space areas featuring elaborate flower and shrub gardens. The old Fire Engine House # 25 is now closed and will soon be reopened as a community center offering twenty-four hour day care, youth programs and senior citizen activities.

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Heritage Crossing
Heritage Crossing is a totally new community planned for central Baltimore. The open space, tree-lined streets, traditional architecture, sidewalks and paths throughout the community all surround the historic gazebo in the village green. Heritage Crossing is an affordable, diverse, urban community where young professionals can walk to work and families stroll in the park.

Only blocks away the exciting Inner Harbor beckons with its one-of-a-kind attractions: The National Aquarium, The Maryland Science Center and the Power Plant’s Hard Rock Café and ESPN Zone. For the culturally inclined, art lovers can gather at the Walter’s Art Gallery and music lovers can attend shows at the Lyric Opera House or The Meyerhoff. The location of Heritage Crossing is close to shopping and services with the convenience and excitement of the city. For those who are born to shop, there are the neighborhood boutiques and the Inner Harbor’s Pavilions. And everyone enjoys the city’s restaurants, pubs and the famous Lexington Market. For the sports fans it is only a short walk to the sports complexes - Camden Yards to watch the Oriole birds hit a home run and PSI Net Stadium to cheer on the Ravens for a touchdown.

The neighborhood is also close to the State Office Complex, Social Security Administration, University of Maryland and other major employers. There is easy access to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Route 40, I-395, I-95, I-83 and B/W Parkway as well as being convenient to the Light Rail commuter trains just minutes from Penn Station.

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Upton
“There's no ‘I’ in Upton” “Love yourself! Love your neighbor! Love your neighborhood!” Upton West is nestled in the western area of a historically rich African-American community. Together with the Upton Planning Committee, neighbors have created a family atmosphere while working to keep the community safe and clean. Upton West is a young community association. Upton West is one of a kind neighborhood with a family theme throughout the community.

Upton West is a fifteen minute walk from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, University of Maryland Medical System, and downtown Baltimore's shops and markets; including the famous Lexington Market. The Avenue Market, a market for great produce and shopping is only a short walk on Pennsylvania Avenue. On Friday nights, the Avenue Market is the place to enjoy good food and great local jazz talent. Upton has four tennis courts, a baseball diamond and basketball courts sprinkled throughout the area.

The neighborhood is also home to Gardens of Hope: A four block urban farming project. This urban farming project includes a butterfly garden for the community children and plots for all neighbors and their families. Residents utilize this garden to educate community residents on healthy activities. Last year they harvested string beans, eggplants, peppers, herbs, swiss chard, collard greens and even sweet potatoes.

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