NORTH AVENUE MARKET
THE HEART OF BALTIMORE’S STATION NORTH ARTS & Entertainment DISTRICT
THE VISION
A widely recognized art-centric experience made up of industries that drive culture, creativity, and economics.
We, a dedicated group of diverse partners, aspire to support and participate in the arts & entertainment district by creating a nourishing environment for emerging companies, multi-disciplinary artists, and entrepreneurs. In addition to restoring space for new growth, we envision the redevelopment of North Ave Market having a positive catalytic effect on existing establishments in Station North and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Together, we can craft a narrative of success, innovation, and inclusivity. Let us develop a destiny for North Ave Market that paves the way for the creative class. This is not just a vision; it is an invitation to be part of a movement that will shape the future, restore industries, and influence generations to come. North Ave Market should not be seen as a destination; it is a JOURNEY.
As we are in the early stages of developing plans and goals for North Ave Market, we are engaging with groups, individuals, and businesses that can contribute to and benefit from this vision for the redevelopment of North Avenue Market. We are committed to deep listening and continuously adapting the vision to embrace input from stakeholders.
Location: North Avenue Market has a prominent location at the geographic center of Baltimore City and within the Charles North, Station North Arts & Entertainment District. It is 2 ½ blocks from Baltimore Penn Station, which has MARC commuter rail, MTA light rail, and Amtrak service, and it is less than a block from important arts institutions such as the Parkway Theatre, The Charles, Motor House, and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Established in 2002, Station North was the first area in Baltimore to receive the State designation as an arts and entertainment district, and it is home to a diverse collection of artist live-work spaces, galleries, studios, bars, restaurants, and theatres.
Size: 96,000 square feet over three levels (a basement, ground floor, and partial 2nd floor).
History: North Avenue Market was built in 1928 as Baltimore City’s first privately-owned market house. When it opened, the market contained twelve retail stores, a twenty-two-lane duckpin bowling alley, and over 200 grocery vendors. The market’s commercial viability was impacted by demographic changes following WWII, including the exodus of Baltimore residents to the suburbs. In 1968, a fire substantially damaged the interior of the building. Shortly after, the northern portion of the building was razed to accommodate the construction of J Van Story apartments. Since the early 1970s, portions of the building have been occupied by a variety of beloved businesses including a print studio, arcade bar, theater, and dance club.
The Plan: The building suffers from decades of deferred maintenance and significant portions of it have not been occupied for 30+ years. As a result, it needs to be fully renovated to active the entire 96,000 square feet and honor the original Spanish Revival architecture. Following a substantial rehabilitation done in accordance with historic preservation guidelines, North Avenue Market will house entertainment venues, bar/restaurants, local retailers, artist and maker workspaces, nonprofit arts programming space, and a largescale exhibition space. The design allows for flexible spaces at a variety of price points and sizes so businesses can grow, adapt and succeed within the building. Prior to the full redevelopment, there’s a rich array of temporary programming and short-term tenants including a dance hall, cocktail bar, vintage market, boutique for a designer brand, and youth arts programming.
Community Impact: North Avenue Market occupies nearly an entire city block at a highly visible location in the heart of Central Baltimore. Its redevelopment is essential to the revitalization of Station North, which suffered due to COVID’s impact on commercial businesses. The area has numerous vacant or underutilized properties that could be redeveloped if market conditions improve. A fully activated North Avenue Market will catalyze the reuse of vacant properties and help existing businesses and arts institutions reach their full potential. A key project goal is creating the conditions for creative entrepreneurs such as artists, makers, and local food & beverage operators to thrive in Baltimore. This support will take a variety of forms including affordable retail, work and practice/rehearsal spaces, an inspiring exhibition hall that will attract national talent, popular bars, restaurants, and venues in the tenant mix to drive customers to emerging businesses and cultivating an environment and brand that places art at it’s center. Anchored by Baltimore Youth Arts, NAM will have multiple organizations that use arts and culture for career readiness training and to connect students/workers to employment opportunities. The Exhibition Hall will host exhibition curation/installation training, retail spaces will feature collaborations between students and established brands, and clients served by nonprofit tenants will be immersed in a rich artistic ecosystem. Our team is meeting with community stakeholders to better understand how North Avenue Market can address gaps in Station North and help the district flourish.
Financing Plan: The redevelopment of North Avenue Market will be funded by creative public- private financing such as Federal Historic Tax Credits and MD Historic Revitalization Tax Credits in addition to conventional debt and equity. The goal is to use creative financing to provide favorable and flexible lease terms to mission aligned small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The total project cost is projected to be $32 million.
Team: North Avenue Market is owned by a diverse group of partners that includes two nonprofit community development organizations (Central Baltimore Partnership and Central Baltimore Future Fund) and three individuals: Michael Haskins Jr. of Currency Studio, Matt Oppenheim of MO/DE, and John Renner of Timshel. The ownership group is supported by a fantastic team of professional including Present Co. (architect), Skarda (structural engineer), Abramson Engineering (MEP engineer), EHT Traceries (historic consultant), CAM Construction (general contractor), Ballard Spahr (legal services), and Miles & Stockbridge (legal services).
Status: North Avenue Market was purchased in March 2024 from longtime owners Mike Shecter and Carolyn Frankil. It will take time to assemble the financing, tenants, and broad-based support required for a community development project of this scale. If all goes well, construction will start in late 2025 and finished space will be delivered in early 2027.
NEIGHBORHOOD
MAP + SURROUNDING BUSINESSES
Anchored by major institutions and large-scale redevelopment projects, the Station North Arts District and nearby areas are vibrant and quirky with some of Baltimore's most celebrated small businesses.
AXON + FLOORPLANS
PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR PLANS
“MULTI-PURPOSE HALL” + INSPIRATION
The largest single space in the project, the multipurpose exhibition hall, spans approximately 12,500 square feet and is accompanied by a 3,600 square foot restaurant and bar. This space is designed to serve as a versatile venue, adaptable to the needs of an anchor art-centric tenant or operator. Drawing inspiration from the dynamic live performances hosted by the The Dean Collection, we aim to ensure flexibility to cater to the requirements of art exhibitions, performing artists (including the ability to centrally locate stages), and events.
We envision a collaborative economic model for this space, with multiple tenants/operators whose endeavors synergize. An example of this would be a partnership between a platform like The Dean Collection and a music promoter such as Live Nation. We believe that this mutually beneficial collaboration will not only provide financial stability but also enhance the overall programming experience for all stakeholders involved.
The mezzanine above the multipurpose exhibition hall will have spaces that function as hybrid studios / galleries with the allure of being a private box during ticketed events, allowing artists to monetize their studios and sell artworks.
PROPOSED SECOND FLOOR + ROOFTOP INSPIRATION
PROPOSED BASEMENT PLAN
SECTION THROUGH ARCADE
ELEVATIONS
WHY THIS MATTERS
-Our vision transcends mere physical transformation. It's about cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic hub for arts and entrepreneurship.
-Our overarching goal is to welcome and curate an environment where idle time transforms into moments of creative expression. North Avenue Market is envisioned as a melting pot, a place where diverse worlds collide—
-The chance encounters that drive innovation and collaboration will occur through the mix of artist studios, exhibition spaces, arts programming, performance spaces, and social spots such bars and cafes, organized around shared amenities and area open to the public.
-We are dedicated to gradually transforming this space into the epicenter of a creative culture that, although thriving in Baltimore, lacks a dedicated haven.
-Over the past 15 years, resources have been devoted to creating and preserving artist workspaces and affordable housing in Station North. We will build on this groundwork by connecting artists with consumers and creating unique exhibition spaces that allow artists to take risks. Artists are small businesses that can thrive in Baltimore when there’s a critical mass of art centric spaces.
-We are creating an oasis for eccentrics.
-Station North is one of the most racial/ethnically, socioeconomically, and gender/sexuality diverse areas of Baltimore City. The tenants, programming and ethos of North Avenue Market will embrace diversity in all its forms. We’re committed to welcoming the populations that have long made Station North their home.
North Avenue Market is a much loved and sacred space for those who’ve hung around Station North over the years. From mad dance parties at Windup Space to holiday markets, author readings and boundary-breaking art exhibitions, everyone has a story. Together, we can honor this legacy by reactivating this building.
-North Avenue Market is the linchpin for the revitalization of Station North. Existing arts institutions such as Motor House and Parkway Theatre will fail to reach their full potential and vacant/underutilized properties will remain dormant until North Avenue Market is fully activated.
-We are creating an environment that doesn’t exist in Baltimore.