337 Hamburg Street, Federal Hill, Baltimore.
Hot House: Flounder House and Farmhouse, Tucked Away in Federal Hill. 6 Beds/4 Baths and a Small Jail. 2,632 Square Feet. Asking price: $825,000.
What: If you’re like me, you might think that a flounder house is the same as a fish house, but it’s not! A flounder house has one slanted roof, perpendicular to the front of the house. And a barn in Federal Hill? Read on and find out the story of both.
This combined property of two residences is nestled on the eastern edge of Federal Hill, between Hamburg and Grindall Streets. Combined, the properties have six bedrooms and four baths.
The flounder house fronts onto Hamburg Street, which, less than a block away, dead ends overlooking the harbor and is just steps from Federal Hill park. The house, set back from the street, has two long porches along the first and second floors. It also has parking for up to four cars, a huge asset in this neighborhood.
The house opens along the side to exposed brick walls and beams and salvaged architectural pieces throughout. The kitchen and dining room feature traditional tin ceilings. The second-floor features three bedrooms and a small laundry room, along with both a sitting porch and a back deck. Again, there are exposed beams and brickwork.
The basement features a small jail! It was allegedly installed by a Union general who imprisoned Confederate spies. The original jail bars are still in place.
The farmhouse fronts onto Grindall Street. It’s a large brick building that has been converted to a large open space with a loft. The building has 22-foot ceilings. It can be used as a rental property, a studio or a large exercise space. This building also has exposed beams and brickwork. The space is filled with reclaimed architectural elements, including stained glass windows.
Where: This is a fascinating property. This section of Federal Hill is more settled than the section closer to the nightlife, and many of the residents have been there for years. It’s less than a five-minute walk to Federal Hill Park, and both Grindall and Hamburg Streets dead-end overlooking the Harbor.
Final Appraisal: If you know her work, it’s easy to see the creative mind of architect Becky Swanston, AIA, at work. Her use of the space to get the most out of it is among her signatures. The sale includes plans to further convert the farmhouse, connect the two properties into one and further build. The listing for the house is here.
All photographs from the listing.
