Hot House: 1220 Bank Street #102, Baltimore, MD 21202
Luxury industrial style loft condo, circa 2005, in historic building, circa 1881. Brick exterior with interior walls of exposed brick and concrete. 18’ ceilings. 1,599 sq. ft. with 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, spa master bath. Private rear patio. Parking, w/ direct access to condo from garage: $569,999 * (see NB)
What: The Canal Street Malt house takes up a full block in what’s left of Little Italy, just north of Harbor East. It was actually a brewer’s malt warehouse back in the day, when Central Avenue was called Canal Street because a water channel (now underground) ran straight down the middle. Two new wings were added when the malt house became luxury condominiums back in 2005, but happily, this loft is in the original building and retains some nice details and an industrial feel. It’s an impressive space, with soaring ceilings perfect for large-scale art work, tall south-facing windows, vertical iron beams and exposed piping. The floors command attention too – wide plank Brazilian cherry, cork upstairs, textured marble in the bathrooms. (The art and much of the furniture, including an amazing clear blue acrylic table designed by Elizabeth Paige Smith, is for sale.) The space’s distinctive look is the result of a collaboration between designer Tracy Reichert and decorative painter/painting contractor Christopher Licata. The interior has open floor plan, with sleek kitchen overlooking the larger living space. Metal staircase rises to the loft master bedroom, which has custom designed built-ins, walk in closets, dressing area and spa bath with separate shower. Downstairs again, the back patio off the main space is private. A gate leads to central courtyard garden. Condo fees are $302/month, includes maintenance, sewer, snow and trash removal, water.
Where: The front entrance to #102 is nice covered ‘porch’ on Fawn Street, just off Central Avenue, the street that divides little Italy from Fells Point. The streets around here are wide and quiet — unflashy, like lower Manhattan in the ‘80’s. You can walk to Harbor East or Fells Point in a matter of minutes, maybe 5 to Whole Foods. But stay in the hood. Be a player at St. Leo’s Bocce Park on Wednesday night, when competition is fiercest. Eat every night around the corner at Osteria Da Amedeo, “the Cheers of Little Italy”, watch free movies at Cinema Al Fresco in the summer. It’s La Dolce Vita.
Why: You’re urban and urbane, with a large scale art collection that requires lots of big walls.
Why Not: Toilet in master bath is directly behind the door, which swings in. If someone opens the door while you’re … thinking, you’re toast.
*NB: A 10 year tax credit, effective until 2016, means property taxes will be $1,200 for the next three years.
Cynthia, Your phrase … “in what’s left of Little Italy” (???) is inaccurate. Perhaps you are not a Baltimorean? You might take another look as Little Italy has survived since the 1800s and is still a strong, vibrant community! It consists of St. Leo’s Church – the heart of The Neighborhood; Pandola Learning Center offering Italian cultural classes; Little Italy Lodge (Sons of Italy); bocce leagues; historical landmarks; Star Spangled Banner Flag House; Open Air Film Fest (since 1999); many family restaurants owned by Italians; and if you listen carefully, you can still hear remnants of the Italian language in some conversations. Believe me, there is PLENTY of Little Italy ‘left’! Step into The Neighborhood …