MCB Real Estate plans $1 billion redevelopment of Harborplace

In November 2022, Baltimore-based MCB Real Estate acquired Harborplace through a court-approved deal after the property entered receivership in 2019 due to defaults by the previous owner, Ashkenazy Acquisitions. Built by The Rouse Company, Harborplace was once a thriving urban renewal model but had fallen into decline over the years. The redevelopment project aims to transform the mostly vacant pavilions at the Inner Harbor into a vibrant mixed-use complex featuring a park, commercial space, and residential buildings, covering 4.5 acres and costing around $1 billion. Gensler Baltimore leads the design team for the Harborplace redevelopment and will implement the Harborplace Master Plan, approved by Baltimore voters with over 60% support. The design team comprises various firms, including landscaping experts Hoerr Schaudt from Chicago and several Baltimore-based companies like Floura Teeter and Mahan Rykiel Associates. This plan includes creating space for restaurants, multi-family housing, and off-street parking, signaling a push toward revitalization after years of neglect. Despite support for the project, it has elicited mixed reactions from the public. Some community members express enthusiasm over potential job creation and economic revitalization, while others, including former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, view the project as a misappropriation of public waterfront parkland. Such contrasting views underscore a divide in public sentiment and highlight the ongoing debate over the use of prime urban spaces. MCB Real Estate, led by David Bramble, remains committed to revitalizing Harborplace in response to the community's feedback and the city's needs. The transformation aims to breathe life back into a once-vibrant area, reflecting both the historical significance of the waterfront and the contemporary urban planning needs of Baltimore. As the project progresses, it will be essential to navigate community concerns while creating a development that aligns with the preferences of a diverse public.