Former industrial building becomes 'lifestyle community' in ever-evolving Baltimore

As Baltimore continues to make its push to become the “coolest city in America,” a new $100 million mixed-use development is doing what it can to help capture the sought after title.

Anthem House, a “lifestyle community” in Locust Point, brings 292 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments to an up-and-coming neighborhood just minutes from downtown Baltimore. The apartment units feature 9-foot ceilings, hardwood-style flooring, gourmet kitchens with quartz countertops, stainless steel Energy Star appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms, and full-size washers and dryers.

On the ground floor, Anthem House offers 20,000 sf of retail and dining options such as the bar-based workout facility, The Bar Method, and a coffee-to-cocktails café. The Z-shaped design of Anthem House was created by KTGY Architecture + Planning and was inspired by the architecture of the San Francisco Bay area.

The exterior of Anthem House in Baltimore Photo: Ray Cavicchio.

The unusual site, which was formerly an abandoned industrial area, slopes down toward the waterfront and influences the overall design of the structure. Natural light was maximized for each unit and many apartments feature views of the harbor and city skyline.

Bronze-hued standing seam metal shingles were placed on the residential entrance, eighth-floor penthouses, and ninth-floor office to capture ambient light and create a dynamic identity and strong directional accents. The shingled areas become the most dominant exterior elements of the building.

A kitchen in an Anthem House apartment Photo: Ray Cavicchio.

Landscaping for the development incorporates reclaimed materials and a native plant palette. Two elevated courtyard spaces, streetscape design that uses micro-bioretention tree pits to treat the site’s storm water, and a third-story infinity pool courtyard were created. A fourth-story courtyard creates a park-like space for residents and features a rock outcropping promontory, outdoor dining space, and a spacious lawn.

A community space in Anthem House Photo: Ray Cavicchio.

RD Jones & Associates handled interior design duties for Anthem House and Mahan Rykiel Associates provided the landscaping. Whitman, Requardt & Associates completed work to prepare the site for development prior to Anthem House’s construction. The development team included Bozzuto Group, War Horse Cities, and Solstice Partners.

The entrance to Anthem House Photo: Ray Cavicchio.

The outdoor lawn space at Anthem House Photo: Ray Cavicchio.

Across the country, multifamily rents have skyrocketed. Year-over-year rents are up by double digits in nine of the top 30 markets, while national YoY rent growth is up 6.3%. Emerging from the pandemic, a perfect storm of migration, enhanced government stimulus and a hot housing market, among other factors, has enabled this extremely strong growth.