A brief history of the inner harbor
The history of Baltimore's Inner Harbor follows that of most American cities, which grew and developed around waterways used for shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing. Waterfronts were polluted and unwelcoming industrial places of private business.
Baltimore Inner Harbor, earlier known as the Basin, circa 1925
As shipping evolved, requiring deeper ports and access to trucking and parking, older waterfronts were abandoned in favor of new port facilities away from city centers.
Baltimore Inner Harbor circa 1950
Many cities built interstate highways at or over abandoned waterfront locations, cutting them off from public use. Baltimore rejected several proposals, including one running a highway through Federal Hill, across the harbor, and through Fells Point and Canton.
Highway plan 1967
Instead, the Inner Harbor was redeveloped for public enjoyment, with a promenade, historic ships, museums, and open space for recreation, festivals, and other events.
Maryland Science Center and brick promenade 1976
So prized was this public park that in 1978, a proposal by the Rouse Company to develop a few parcels for commercial use was tossed to the electorate. The resulting charter amendment enshrined the land as public park land named Inner Harbor Park, with two areas at Pratt and Light streets for the low-rise pavilions we know as Harborplace, which opened on 2 July 1980 to great fanfare.
Its architect, Benjamin Thompson, described the design as “transparent, light, shimmering, …a place in a park, … a part of the waterfront, continuous with the city, … in some ways invisible, a non-building, a building of magic.”
Harborplace postcard 1980
A carefully curated mix of locally owned shops and eateries, and daily entertainment at the amphitheater between the pavilions put the festival in "festival marketplace." As the Rouse Company duplicated its success in other cities, James Rouse appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1981, proclaiming "Cities Are Fun!".
Harborplace Light Street pavilion food hall 1980
In time, taller buildings rose across Pratt Street and Light Street, a dramatic backdrop that creates a sense of intimacy at water's edge.
Christmas Village 2022
Shopping, dining, sporting events, museums, annual festivals such as the Christmas Village, and extravaganzas, such as Sailabration, the Star Spangled Spectacular, Fleet Week, Light City, and the Book Festival activated the Inner Harbor year-round.
Sailabration 2012
Harborplace was acquired by General Growth Properties in 2004. Where the Rouse Company prioritized small local businesses, GGP sought out national chains and large footprint tenants. The airy Light Street food hall was carved up for a tourist attraction and larger retailers. Eventually the bankrupt GGP sold Harborplace to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, whose poor stewardship forced the property into receivership in 2019. Covid followed right behind.
Harborplace Light Street pavilion 2020
The Inner Harbor remains a popular four-seasons destination. Visitors continue to flock to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, new Rash Field playground, historic ships, and special events. Harborplace remains open, albeit with fewer retailers and eateries.
Christmas Village December 2023
On 30 October 2023, the mayor of Baltimore City announced that, three years earlier, he had secretly hand-picked developer MCB to redevelop the area occupied by Harborplace. There had been no design competition, no RFP, no traffic study etc. MCB purchased the Harborplace lease and developed a plan for housing and office uses, both disallowed on that site, per the Baltimore City Charter.
MCB illustration 2023
If armed with zoning changes, rescinded height restrictions, and narrowing of already overloaded streets, MCB plans to demolish Harborplace and erect, at water's edge, a pair of 32 and 25 story luxury apartment towers and several other structures.
MCB illustration 2023