With a crane overhead, Nancy Hafford was ready to see something blow up on Friday.
“We need you to start,” Hafford, the executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, implored developers.
Hafford was ready to see some more digging and dynamite at the site of the future Towson Row, a $350 million mixed-use development that will bring retail, hotel and housing close to the five-acre site that’s close to the center of Towson at Chesapeake and Washington Aves.
Officials like Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz gathered to mark the beginning of construction. The groundbreaking was delayed a few weeks due to rain, but a long area of rubble next to the area where officials spoke showed that work has already started.
The new development will feature a 45,000 sq. ft. Whole Foods. It will also include 370 luxury apartments, a 100-room hotel, and student housing for 900 people, along with shops and restaurants. Caves Valley Partners is helming the $350 million project.
“It was quite a task to assemble these 5+ acres,” said CVP Partner Arthur Adler.
The developers plan to include sustainable design elements, such as energy efficient lighting and eco-friendly stormwater management. The project is expected to be completed in about three years.
