Baltimore City officials, developers, and partners on Thursday celebrated the grand opening of 150 affordable apartments in southwest Baltimore’s Uplands neighborhood.
Uplands Phase II is part of a plan to transform a former 979-unit distressed Section 8 housing complex into a thriving neighborhood with high-quality, affordable rental homes and significant infrastructure upgrades.
The second phase of the project cost just over $53 million and is part of the $237 million Uplands master plan which, once complete, will create 719 for-sale and for-rent homes on the 63-acre site. It will also have over 10,000 square feet of community and retail space.
“The grand opening of Uplands Phase II is a manifestation of the growth and renaissance happening near Edmondson Village and the broader Southwest Baltimore area,” Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement.
The Uplands neighborhood is located about five miles west of Camden Yards, near the neighborhoods of Ten Hills and Irvington. According to LiveBaltimore, about 60% of residents rent their homes and 40% own them.
The community offers one-, two-, and three-bedrooms apartments. They are designed for families earning 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The development includes new playgrounds, on-site parking, and over $28 million in infrastructure improvements. These improvements include new utilities, sidewalks, and roads. The added roads will support the next homeownership phase, which will include approximately 220 single family homes and townhomes.
“Uplands Phase II is a shining example of equitable neighborhood development in action,” said Baltimore City Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy in a statement. “The City’s investment has not only leveraged private investment but is also creating affordability in high market neighborhoods as an example of how redevelopment can be a win for everyone!”
Pennrose, LLC was the developer for Phase II.
“The completion of Phase II marks another critical step forward in the Uplands redevelopment, an ambitious initiative to transform and shape an entire neighborhood with quality, mixed-income housing, ample amenities, and green space,” said Patrick Stewart, regional vice president at Pennrose. “This project is a prime example of how strategic partnerships, thoughtful development, and meaningful community engagement can deliver vibrant housing solutions for Baltimore families.”
The new apartments have high ceilings, oversized windows, porches, balconies, modern kitchens, full-sized washers and dryers, walk-in closets, and much more. There will be a community clubhouse, professionally landscaped grounds, a community park, fitness center, bike storage, and other amenities.
“This project has been a long-time coming, with Phase I kicking off when I was still in college – but with the hard work of all of the partners involved in this project we have incredible momentum,” Scott said. “The impact can already be felt in this neighborhood and for the families moving in. I want to extend my sincere gratitude for the Pennrose team, all of the Uplands community partners, HUD, DHCD, and the city’s Office of Recovery Programs for making this day possible.”
Phase 1 was launched in 2013 and constructed 178 for-sale homes developed by Bozzuto Group, 104 mixed-income rental apartments, and the community building. All phases have been developed with community input along the way, in partnership with Uplands Community Association.
