Stay up to date on progress at Harborplace
Meet the Baltimore women who make the CIAA feel like ‘Christmas in February’
3/1/2025
”If the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament is a party, Monesha Phillips, Lynnette Dodson and Sumayyah Bilal are among the masters of ceremony.
Phillips owns a two-decade-old trendy boutique on E Cross St. called Pandora’s Box. Cuples Tea House on N Howard St. is run by Dodson and her husband. And Bilal is the baker-in-chief at Codetta Bake Shop on Llewelyn Ave. These three Black-owned businesses began as footnotes on Visit Baltimore’s places to check out during the CIAA tournament, and have since evolved into staples of the week’s itinerary.
“The experience that we’re providing beyond the court,” CIAA commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker said, “is magical.”
Pop-up art exhibit in Harborplace boasts work of over 60 local Black artists
2/26/2025
”CIAA is about more than just a basketball tournament; it's a chance for Baltimore City to show what makes it unique, and it's the same concept you will find inside the walls of Harborplace.
You may be familiar with the Boost program and other local businesses inside the Harborplace pavilions, but there is a hidden gem you may not have seen before.
“We like to think of ourselves as the largest pop-up of Black art in the nation," says Harold Booker, volunteer coordinator.
That pop-up titled Creatively Black Baltimore has taken over a familiar space inside one of the pavilions.”
— WMAR
Next steps for Harborplace: Soil boring, divers and ground lease negotiations
12/12/2024
”Visitors to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will soon see soil boring activity underway around the Harborplace pavilions, as engineers test the ground along the shoreline in preparation for major construction in the years ahead.
They may also see divers at work, looking at the condition of the Inner Harbor promenade from below the water.
Those are some of the next steps that a team led by MCB Real Estate of Baltimore will undertake as it moves ahead with its $500 million plan to replace the two Harborplace pavilions with a mixed-use development containing offices, shops, restaurants and two towers with 900 apartments. ”
Developer, supporters praise voter approval of Harborplace referendum
11/6/2024
”City voters gave overwhelming approval Tuesday to a Baltimore City Charter amendment that advocates hope will help dramatically change and revitalize the Inner Harbor area.
Question F, which clears the way for the redevelopment, passed by a vote of 95,605 to 63,043. The 3-2 margin of victory was praised by the developer behind the planned project, as well as supporters who worked to ensure passage of the amendment.
“We are grateful to the people of our hometown and have always had faith they would believe in the power of progress,” said a joint statement from P. David Bramble and Peter Pinkard, co-founders of MCB, the company behind the project.”
Former Baltimore mayors join call to support Harborplace ballot question
10/31/2024
”Three former Baltimore mayors have joined the current city administration in urging voters to support a ballot question to allow a controversial Harborplace redevelopment plan to move forward.
Former mayors Kurt L. Schmoke, Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake and Bernard C. “Jack” Young said Thursday they back the Question F initiative needed for Harborplace owner MCB Real Estate to replace aging shopping pavilions with four taller buildings for apartments, offices, retail and dining.”
Supreme Court clears the way for vote on Harborplace redevelopment
10/10/2024
”Baltimore City officials can count any votes cast for Question F, the city ballot question that could allow for the redevelopment of Harborplace.
The Supreme Court of Maryland on Thursday ended weeks of uncertainty and reversed a September ruling by an Anne Arundel County judge that would have prohibited the city from tallying the votes.
The unanimous five-page order from the high court came one day after the justices heard oral arguments in the case, in an appeal filed by the Maryland State Board of Elections.”
Harborplace redevelopment ballot measure will count, Maryland’s Supreme Court rules
10/10/2024
”Baltimore voters will get to decide whether a private developer can remake the Inner Harbor after the Maryland Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision.
Thursday’s ruling means voters will cast ballots on a charter amendment titled “Question F” which would ease restrictions on what MCB Real Estate, a private company, can build at the site of the existing Harborplace pavilions.”
New survey: Most in Baltimore area support efforts to revitalize Harborplace
10/1/2024
”An large majority of people support plans to revitalize Baltimore’s Harborplace and rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the results of a survey published Tuesday by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council polling respondents in Baltimore City and six surrounding counties.
Seventy-five percent of respondents in Baltimore City and Baltimore County said the embattled plan to revamp the city’s waterfront and replace the Inner Harbor’s aging pavilions with housing, retail stores and a park was “somewhat” or “very important” to the region’s future economic vitality.”
The time is now to transform neglected Inner Harbor | GUEST COMMENTARY
9/29/2024
”At its core, Harborplace has the potential to be far more than just a shopping and dining destination; it can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and urban vitality. The proposed Park at Freedom’s Port, with its green spaces, large amphitheater, and new promenades, is designed to create a dynamic venue for community gatherings and cultural events. Far from privatizing public land, the plans from MCB Real Estate aim to strike a balance between public benefit, accessibility and commercial vitality.
Transforming Harborplace into a bustling, dynamic environment will stimulate Baltimore-grown businesses, attract new investment and bolster tourism. This, in turn, will enhance public access to the waterfront from downtown and showcase Baltimore’s natural beauty. Business leaders are working with local and state officials to make downtown more pedestrian-friendly and better link the stadium district to Harbor East.”
Voters should know: Ballot questions count
9/24/2024
”Candidates generally raise far and away the most money, and certainly generate the greatest amount of noise. But occasionally ballot questions, in the form of local charter amendments or legislative referenda or state constitutional amendments have significant impact on which candidates succeed.”
Maryland Supreme Court to hear appeal on Harborplace ballot question
9/23/2024
”An Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge will not stay her order that struck down a Baltimore City ballot question, pending an appeal of her order to the state’s highest court.
The Maryland State Board of Elections sought the stay last week after appealing Judge Cathleen Vitale’s order invalidating Question F, which was included on already-printed city ballots. Attorneys for the state elections board also filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Maryland.
Vitale on Monday, citing the appeal and a similar motion before the state Supreme court, decided not to act on the motion to stay her ruling."
Baltimore City joins state for Harborplace question appeal to Maryland Supreme Court
9/20/2024
”The Baltimore City government and the firm picked to redevelop Harborplace can both join the state in upcoming arguments before the Maryland Supreme Court in a case that will decide whether the referendum on city ballots this fall will matter, a judge ruled Friday in Annapolis.
The decision clears the way for both the city and the potential developer, MCB Real Estate, to make their cases to the state’s highest court alongside the Maryland State Board of Elections.”
The Dish: Hooters may be gone, but Harborplace now offers local bites
8/21/2024
”If it’s been a while since your last visit to Harborplace, you might not recognize it.
Inside a restaurant that’s been vacant for almost two decades, you can now grab pizza and a beer. Downstairs, there’s globally inspired vegan fare, plus fried chicken and crab cakes. Soon, the mall will welcome a new concept from one of the city’s biggest names in food.”
Oleum Vegan Kitchen visits WJZ at 9 for Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month
8/8/2024
Chef Adibe visits WJZ at 9 to talk about her new restaurant Oleum
City design panel warms up to latest Harborplace designs
7/18/2024
”Updated plans for the high-profile redo of Harborplace were received with optimism by a city design panel and show a new series of wider entrances off Calvert and South streets to better knit the waterfront with the city.”
New, temporary tenants prepare for June openings at Baltimore’s Harborplace
5/29/2024
”Growing up in West Baltimore, Monesha Phillips used to tell her parents she wanted to be an ‘entrepreneur,’ even before she understood the meaning of the word.
Phillips, who now runs Pandora’s Box gift shop in Federal Hill, said she feels like she’s taking her youthful aspirations to new heights this summer, expanding her business to Harborplace along with several other small merchants.
‘For me it’s like a dream, having this opportunity to open up a business on a waterfront property,’ Phillips said. ‘Most small businesses like myself don’t have the opportunity or luxury or the means.’
New small businesses are opening at Inner Harbor. Owners say they are "pioneers" of Harborplace's next phase
5/29/2024
”Growing up in West Baltimore, Monesha Phillips used to tell her parents she wanted to be an ‘entrepreneur,’ even before she understood the meaning of the word.
Phillips, who now runs Pandora’s Box gift shop in Federal Hill, said she feels like she’s taking her youthful aspirations to new heights this summer, expanding her business to Harborplace along with several other small merchants.
‘For me it’s like a dream, having this opportunity to open up a business on a waterfront property,’ Phillips said. ‘Most small businesses like myself don’t have the opportunity or luxury or the means.’
Harborplace isn't empty. Here's why some tenants are still there.
3/18/2024
”MCB Real Estate Inc. officials said Friday the firm is offering lower rents to restock the hallways that were once filled with thousands of visitors a week. Harborplace today is 60% leased — up from 29% leased when MCB acquired it last year, said Kristen Durkin, an MCB spokeswoman.
‘Our strategy is to give these tenants deeply discounted rents and provide mentorship throughout the process to grow Baltimore’s great businesses and build brand for our tenants in prime waterfront retail space which would be otherwise unaffordable to small businesses,’ Durkin said..”
Baltimore mayor signs Harborplace bills but it still needs voter approval
3/13/2024
”Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott moved forward with plans to redevelop Harborplace by signing three related bills.
Those bills include amendments to zoning, an urban renewal plan and the city's charter.”
The Dish: Crust by Mack
2/27/2024
”Owner Amanda Mack's Crust By Mack specializes in pastries that range from sweet to savory. Mack is a self taught baker who rolls love into each and every item she serves, cultivating a devoted following. Michelle Miller is in Baltimore with more.”
Harborplace legislation advances after key City Council hearing
2/14/2024
”MCB Real Estate cleared a key hurdle in its efforts to redevelop Harborplace, when a City Council committee voted on Tuesday to advance legislation needed for its $500 million plan to proceed.
After listening to testimony for more than four hours, the council’s Economic and Community Development Committee voted to approve three bills that would enable the developer to move ahead with plans to tear down the two mostly-vacant Harborplace pavilions at Pratt and Light streets and replace them with a mixed-use development containing two high-rise towers containing a total of 900 residences; offices; shops; restaurants; and public space.”
Governor Moore and Governor Kelly Highlight Local Businesses In Bet Ahead Of Ravens vs. Chiefs Conference Championship Game
1/26/2024
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced a bet with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on the outcome of the upcoming Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs Conference Championship game, which will take place this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Governor Moore is wagering crab pies from Crust By Mack Bake House, a Baltimore-based Black-owned business. Governor Kelly is wagering steaks from Creekstone Farms, an Arkansas City-based premium beef and pork producer.
City panel says Baltimore isn’t rushing the Harborplace redevelopment
12/21/2023
”No, the city of Baltimore is not rushing the redevelopment of Harborplace.
That’s what the Baltimore Planning Commission decided Thursday night after an hours-long hearing on the ambitious plans to reimagine the Inner Harbor. Commissioners unanimously agreed to recommend changes to city policy on height and size restrictions at the site — a key step in a lengthy public approval process.”
Holiday Makers Market at Harborplace 2023
12/4/2023
”This past weekend, we turned Harborplace Light St Pavilion into Baltimore’s Holiday Headquarters! As part of Baltimore’s Most Festive Weekend, we brought 60 local vendors and makers out to the Inner Harbor for our biggest Holiday Makers Market yet!
With holiday decorations and a special Blinkatorium light sculpture by Scott Pennington, we turned Light St Pavilion into a waterfront winter wonderland”. — For more information, visit the Waterfront Partnership here
Our Harborplace releases its Fall Report on Community Engagement
10/27/2023
MCB Real Estate and the entire Our Harborplace team have committed to an ongoing Community Engagement Process. From the outset, we believed it was important to start by listening. We began listening prior to sketching plans, prior to renderings, and prior to construction documents. We asked the community to think big. What does this city deserve in its center? What does Baltimore want to highlight for its residents and its visitors? What will make you excited to venture down to the water and spend time there, to show off to your friends and family, to proudly display our city to those who visit? We have called this the “Input Phase”. Our goal during the Input Phase was to listen. We presented the community with a short list of important priorities, the Core Pillars of Harborplace’s Redevelopment, and put everything on the table for discussion. This report shares what we heard. — Read the full report
Harborplace welcomes new shops while iconic pavilions wait to be torn down
10/25/2023
”Baltimore’s downtown Harborplace will welcome a handful of new temporary tenants in the coming weeks, even as MCB Real Estate plans to eventually tear down the two pavilions along the waterfront.” — Baltimore Banner
Downtown Baltimore’s future depends on filling in the gaps
10/13/2023
“When Lynnette and Eric Dodson opened Cuples Tea House on North Howard Street three years ago, in a block that now boasts a plant-based creamery, a vegan juice bar and a couple of art galleries, they hoped customers might find their way four blocks north from events at the CFG Bank Arena or even Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor.
But few do. The walk from the arena or elsewhere downtown can be less than inviting.” — Baltimore Sun
MCB Real Estate presentation to the Baltimore City Planning Commission
10/12/2023
See the full presentation here.
Our Harborplace releases its Interim Report on Community Engagement
9/16/2023
Public engagement on the future of Harborplace is critical to establishing the Inner Harbor as a welcoming, proud, local asset. Redeveloping Harborplace for Baltimoreans and to showcase Baltimore to visitors requires an intentional public engagement process to bring as many stakeholders to the table as possible. To that end, MCB Harborplace, working with Just Economy, has deployed a first-of-its-scale public engagement process. Since the last report, the Our Harborplace team has spoken with thousands of residents from across Baltimore. In total, community members from more than 80 neighborhoods across Baltimore have provided input on how to make Harborplace inviting, vibrant, exciting, and successful. — Read the full report
Harborplace getting new coffee shop in long-vacant space
8/25/2023
“Baltimore entrepreneur Michael Saunders can't wait to open Matriarch Coffee in a long-vacant space in Harborplace's Pratt Street Pavilion this fall -- and hopes the shop will be part of the beleaguered retail center's future.” — WBAL
MCB Real Estate Announces Design Team, Closing for Harborplace Property
7/13/2023
“I want to ensure that the future of Harborplace represents to the world the very best that Baltimore has to offer.” - P. David Bramble, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, MCB Real Estate LLC
Read the full Press Release here.
Our Harborplace releases its report on the first 30 days of Community Engagement
7/12/2023
Public engagement on the future of Harborplace is critical to establishing the Inner Harbor as a welcoming, proud, local asset.Redeveloping Harborplace for Baltimoreans and to showcase Baltimore to visitors requires a focused public engagement process to bring as many stakeholders to the table as possible. To that end, MCB Harborplace, working with Just Economy, is deploying a first-of-its-scale public engagement process. — Read the full report
Harborplace redo must create a place that is 'always cool,' developer tells crowd
6/3/2023
"‘Cool will make you come back,’ MCB Real Estate's P. David Bramble told an audience of 200 city residents and politicians during the first ‘listening session’ on the redevelopment of the waterfront landmark.” — Baltimore Business Journal
06-03-23 The Futures of Harborplace and the Archdiocese of Baltimore
6/3/2023
”On today's podcast, Jayne talks about the story of Harborplace in Baltimore City which is unfortunately now in decline and has a conversation with its developer Dave Bramble on what is expected for this project.” — WBAL
Baltimore By Baltimore "music and makers" festival returns to Inner Harbor
6/2/2023
”Baltimore By Baltimore, a waterfront ‘music and makers’ festival, is coming back for its second year to bring the city's creative scene to the Inner Harbor.” — WMAR
The Future of Harborplace and Baltimore City Development
5/29/2023
”Harborplace in Baltimore has been in a steady decline for years, as store after store and restaurant after restaurant closed. Only a couple of places remain open and the entire Light Street Pavilion has been shuttered.
Now, the reimagining of Harborplace has begun. Late last year, a local developer named P. David Bramble purchased the property, and pledged to revive this centerpiece of downtown that was once a proud symbol of Baltimore’s Renaissance. Bramble is the managing partner at MCB Real Estate.” — WYPR"
Harborplace redevelopment is an ‘all-hands’ moment for Baltimore | COMMENTARY
3/15/2023
”There was a time when indoor retailing space, with restaurants and food courts and major department store “anchors,” dominated not just retailing but the social scene. “See you at the mall” was a common refrain a generation ago — before the enormous popularity of online shopping made them largely extinct and COVID-19 drove a final nail in that coffin. So-called “dead malls” now can be found all over this country, empty shells of their former selves.” — Baltimore Sun
Black-owned, family-run Crust by Mack bakery savors opportunity to serve delectables at Harborplace
3/14/2023
”The Baltimore business is the first new tenant to be inked by the iconic complex’s new owners, who hope to draw crowds back as they weigh long-term plans for the site.” — Baltimore Banner
Can this developer bring crowds back to Inner Harbor?
1/4/2023
”Baltimore-based developer David Bramble wants to transform Harborplace in a way that spurs revitalization and is accessible to all city residents.” — Baltimore Banner
The Way of Bramble
11/7/2023
”P. David Bramble, Harborplace's would-be owner, is grabbing the spotlight — whether he likes it or not” — Baltimore Business Journal