Southern Management Companies, in collaboration with Workshop Development, has begun a multi-year modernization of Charles Plaza, an 857-unit residential community and commercial hub in the heart of Charles Center.
The $1 million first phase includes upgrades to building façades, signs and outdoor amenities and is scheduled for completion in early 2027. Southern Management and Workshop plan to upgrade the property’s retail, office and public areas and its high-rise apartment buildings in future phases.
The investment is part of a broader push to strengthen Baltimore’s central core and draw more activity to Charles Plaza and the Charles Street corridor. Southern Management has retained MacKenzie Commercial to lead retail leasing for the development, where Streets Market is an anchor retail tenant.
The Apartments at Charles Plaza includes Charles Towers, Park Charles, and 39 West Lexington — apartments inside the former Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. headquarters. The main entrance is in the 200 block of N. Charles Street, part of Baltimore’s 33-acre Charles Center renewal area.
BCT Architects.
Southern Management acquired Charles Plaza in 1999. It’s the largest of the company’s 11 Baltimore City properties, which together contain more than 2,400 apartments.
The renovation work is being undertaken with support from the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB), which awarded Charles Plaza its first cluster façade improvement grant, a new DPOB initiative that offers enhanced funding to multi-tenant commercial revitalization projects in concentrated areas that achieve “full-block impact.” The project received additional support from the Baltimore Development Corporation as part of Downtown RISE, Mayor Brandon Scott’s initiative.
The modernization team also includes BCT Architects, which is leading design; Younts Design, which is developing new signage; and JC Porter Construction, which is serving as general contractor.
“We appreciate the leadership of Mayor Scott and his team in focusing on revitalizing downtown,” said Southern Management CEO Suzanne Hillman, in a statement. “That’s why we have committed to strategically investing in Charles Plaza to improve the environment for our residents, tenants and patrons.”
“We’re grateful to the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore for recognizing the important role Charles Plaza plays downtown and for making such a significant investment in our efforts,” said Southern Management President Gabrielle Duvall. “This grant reflects the Partnership’s renewed focus on the areas most critical to downtown’s future. Their team was incredible to work with and partnered hand in hand with the Baltimore Development Corp. to maximize its impact.”
“We are proud to support the revitalization of Charles Plaza, which serves as a nexus for Downtown residents, workers and visitors in the heart of Downtown’s historic Charles Street corridor.” said Patrick Terranova, Vice President of Economic Development at the Downtown Partnership, in a statement. “This project is a testament to how collaboration between the private, public and non-profit sectors is adding vibrancy to our district, and we are thrilled to have a partner of Southern Management’s caliber doubling down on Downtown in such a meaningful way.”
