Hot House: 500 Ploy Alley (Street), Mt. Vernon, Baltimore, 21201
Detached carriage house, circa 1848, brick construction, 2013 renovation. Open plan, loft style interior with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths over 4 levels with elevator. Great room, chef’s kitchen with granite counters, s/s appliances, two large exterior balconies, master bedroom suite with window walls, studio/lounge with wet bar, two further bedrooms. Good storage. No attic, no basement. Hardwood floors throughout. Surround sound, security system, fully wired. Attached 1 car garage+ 1 space in lot: $700,000 (with 10 year historic tax credit).
Open house Sunday, May 8, 1-3pm
What: A unique situation. No one else will have a place like this. Probably, no one else, including most residents of Mt. Vernon, will have heard of Ploy Alley, because there’s no sign — although it does show up on GPS. Ploy Alley, formerly called Plover Alley, was one of the many transport alleys running behind Baltimore’s grander streets. In the 1800s, it’s where black Baltimoreans and tradesmen who serviced the main houses often lived. It’s not exactly charming, but there is a nice contrast between the sleekness of the building and the grittiness of the views that will strike a chord with true urbanites. For one thing, the top two floors have 360 degree prospects, and the top floor has two nice metal decks. It was an interesting renovation, and they chose to go totally modern and minimal, spending on wide hardwood floors, seven inch wood trim, electronic systems and a few splashy architectural features like the ceiling treatment in the great room. The master bedroom is fantastic. Light pours through four walls of windows. In fact, even if privacy is not a priority, you may want to get some electric blinds for light control.
Where: Ploy Alley is hiding in plain sight in the middle of Mt. Vernon. It leads off W. Hamilton Street, in the block between Cathedral and Park. The house has a side door on Hamilton Street that leads into the garage and from there, into the house. The garage door is on the alley. The front door is actually in a small, enclosed parking lot (one of the spaces comes with the house.) From here, you could throw a stone and hit the Walters Art Museum, the main Enoch Pratt Library, and the Mt. Vernon Hotel. Lots of people brunch nearby at Cream, dine at City Cafe. The pleasures of Mt. Vernon are all around.
Why: Great in the conception and use of space. Awesome master bedroom.
Why Not: No garden, no close green area.
Would Suit: Hip young couple or stylish singleton.
NB: The place is pretty cool, but the front door is in a parking lot.
Very Cool house. Awesome article as always
Thanks Cynthia! Great article!