Just got back from a great trip to a great city - I was in Baltimore for a photo gig; didn't have too much time to explore the city but I did the best I could. A treat was getting to accompany some folks to the Jefferson Street Habitat for Humanity project. Instead of building/refurbing one house, they were working on about six homes on one block (which should tell you how rough the area is).

 

I always like to have music to accompany my threads; this time, it's one of my favorite songs - happen to be sung by a Baltimore native. RIP Cass.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

 

Bonus points - they have a light-rail line that goes into downtown from the airport. Minus the bonus points - the station is outdoors, and it was one heck of a schlep from baggage claim. Ah well, still cheaper than a cab and I can use the cardio:

 

Passing through a neighborhood that looks a little rough:

 

Downtown Baltimore in the distance:

 

Oriole Park at Camden Yards:

 

View from our room at the Hilton:

 

View of the Federal Hill area from our room:

 

Baltimore has some gorgeous buildings - this isn't one of them:

 

*This* (the Bank of America building) is one of them:

 

The combo of tight streets, alleys, historic buildings and newer towers make for some interesting streetscapes:

 

Although downtown Baltimore is pretty lively, I did see a few spots with quite a bit of blight - not enough to say "wow, it's bombed out!" but I guess I thought there'd be less of it.

 

Okay, sure it's touristy but there was quite a bit of activity along the Inner Harbor area.

 

 

I first thought - ick, what the heck is that?!? Turns out that they're pretty common in the Inner Harbor - and yes they're the stinging type (my partner went to the aquarium and learned all about them):

 

 

Another shot of Federal Hill:

 

The iconic Domino Sugar sign:

 

The World Trade Center building - when I was in Baltimore in 1995, there were spotlights projected from the base and reflected out from the crown of the building using these mirrors. I'm guessing budget issues caused those to be turned off - we didn't see them at all during our visit.

 

One thing that hasn't changed, they have an observation deck:

 

 

Not the most envelope-pushing design but I've always liked the "bridge truss" top of this tower:

 

 

Federal Hill and the Maryland Science Center in the lower right:

 

I don't think this cluster of towers was here when I visited in 1996 - makes me think of the potential for Cleveland's Flats East Bank project:

 

This tower was here, but I noticed that the low-rise buildings are pretty much walled off from the waterfront and while they're off the touristy beaten path - I don't think I see a single person out and about:

 

The Fells Point area and in the upper right, the iconic (there are a lot of iconic Baltimore landmarks) Mr. Boh sign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bohemian

 

The greenspace is Patterson Park - I was more interested in the three large churches of various design:

 

The Shot Tower:

 

National Aquarium in the foreground:

 

Baltimore skyline:

 

 

One thing I liked about Baltimore - there were a lot of times where I got photos of things that disprove the "only in Cleveland" thing - such as having the PJs so close to more desirable neighborhoods:

 

Again, some gorgeous buildings in Baltimore - not this one (seriously - more parking floors than office floors? Who does that?!?)

 

*Love* this building - turns out it's a former sewage pumping station - now the Baltimore Public Works Museum.

 

Yep, only in Cleveland - highways brushing up against the CBD that wiped out historic neighborhoods:

 

But back down to earth, let's shine some light on the subject:

 

The Bromo-Seltzer Tower - apparently it's studio space for artists - sure we have Tower Press and a few other places but are they THIS cool?

 

Quirky but it works:

 

Obligatory skyline shot from the harbor:

 

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's Bal-timore' (okay, that was realllly bad):

 

My favorite Baltimore towers all lit up:

 

The next day, I only had time for a quick walk around the CBD:

 

 

I don't like skywalks, but when they have views like this I can deal:

 

 

 

 

Base of the Bank of America building:

 

The quirky William Donald Schaefer building (google it):

 

Enough towers, how about some towering footwear!  :-o

 

This ornate building is home to a Walgreens:

 

The Shot Tower in the center - glimpse of Baltimore City Hall on the left:

 

The Battle Monument (honors those lost in the War of 1812):

 

Another case of "not only in Cleveland" - a lovely historic building with quite possibly the most atrocious addition I've ever seen:

 

Baltimore City Hall - as large and ornate as it is, the interior is much less roomier than you'd think:

 

But it does have this gorgeous dome:

 

 

We thought we were heading back to the Inner Harbor when we unknowingly stumbled upon the infamous "Baltimore Block". Did I mention this is all catty-corner to the downtown HQ of the Baltimore police?

 

I was more interested in the signage than any of the "wares" being offered (though I did overhear someone trying to um, offer the services of a "one legged b!tch" - couldn't make this up if I tried!!!):

 

 

 

Alright, enough sleaze - this building was huge (too huge to get a decent photo of from this spot) but I love the eagles on the cornice:

 

Again - yes folks, other cities have wide streets that aren't the most pedestrian-friendly (and good god, I thought Cleveland drivers were the worst at obeying the pedestrian right of way? Pffft! Charm City my arse!!!)

 

After a day of work, we headed over to the Fells Point area - this section seemed like Crocker Park on steroids - *major* steroids:

 

 

Not sure what this was:

 

Not long before it looked more like a historic neighborhood:

 

 

 

Okay, I got a problem with this joint - mind you, we decided on this neighborhood precisely because this place advertises 100+ beers on tap. Also it's about 5pm on a weekday - they have some kid (who bore a slight resemblance to Kurt Cobain) at the door enforcing the strict dress code; something about no "wife beaters". Apparently - a $20 orange ribbed cotton tank top constitutes "wife beater" to these ballers; even though it was in the low 90s, this place is too fancy to make an exception. So I did what any proper guppie would do - I threw a little money at the problem to make it go away. I always like to get a local bar souvenir shirt when I travel anyway so no big whoop but the guy seemed genuinely shocked when I said "alright, you got a t-shirt I can buy?". When we got in, the tragedies committed in the name of fashion *inside* the place were far worse than me exposing my shoulders - I mean, pleated khaki shorts?!?  :roll:

 

That said - there *were* a lot of beers on tap but it had a really heavy lean toward high ABVs and Imperials and you tell me - is this the kind of place that seems like it needs a "strictly enforced" dress code at 5pm on a weekday? Yeah, one pint for each of us was enough.

 

The surrounding area was really charming, though:

 

This was a shocker - whatever was next to the church was demolished - note the door on the 2nd floor - yikes!

 

 

Closer to the harbor:

 

This place was cute - wood saddle bar stools, pale ale as the house draft - though it was a hoot to get hit on by chicks with spiral perms.

 

 

 

 

Now *this* place gets my stamp of approval - neat building; friendly staff, and...

 

Quality - not quantity, folks:

 

 

After dinner in Inner Harbor, we called it a night:

 

The next day, I accompanied some folks to a Habitat for Humanity project. Photos en route:

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are - Jefferson Street (this shot is a view down a side street), east of Johns Hopkins Hospital - reminded me of the Fairfax/Hough neighborhood in Cleveland (major medical centers just blocks from awful blight):

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the larger homes on the block being rehabbed:

 

 

Okay, I'm sure some of you see these rowhouses and think "wow, what potential!". For example, this one is on a corner site, has some interesting details on the cornice brackets, etc. right? The volunteer manager said "this one has some great photo potential on the inside!" and opened the boarding for me. I'm thinking a rundown interior but with some well-preserved details - maybe crown moulding, etc.

 

Well, the interior is definitely a blank slate! Yeah, the first floor is GONE. Completely GONE. I don't think they were sure what was in those buckets and as you can see from the reflection in the water - this place has that "open and airy" feeling like nowhere else!!!  :-o

 

 

 

I had to head out but it was a great experience seeing what Habitat for Humanity is trying to do. Apparently they have about a dozen homes on that block slated for rehab. On the way back, here's a shot of Johns Hopkins hospital:

 

Downtown Baltimore from the east:

 

Part of a memorial near City Hall:

 

The dome of City Hall:

 

Like I said - I was a little surprised at the amount of blight in the CBD - it wasn't overwhelming or anything but still...

 

Such an opulent location for a KFC:

 

 

Skyline view from the hotel:

 

View of the ballpark from our room - no games were scheduled during our stay:

 

One last chance to trek about:

 

Baltimore's tallest - same height as our Erieview Tower (529 feet) and not much prettier:

 

 

Hotel Monaco - this is run by the hotel group signed for Cleveland's Schofield Building:

 

 

For some reason, I remember this building (and its twin) from my visit in the 90s:

 

I wish Cleveland had a few like this:

 

Approaching the Mt. Vernon area with the Washington Monument in the background:

 

There was a book festival going on that day:

 

 

Gorgeous church adjacent to the monument:

 

 

The following shots are the Peabody Library, part of the Johns Hopkins University - my photos simply don't do this place justice:

 

 

A Presbyterian church in the background:

 

Between here and there, a gorgeous doorway:

 

At the base of the church; a special shoutout to the folks who were conducting their book sale. They offered to let us inside to take some photos but the main doors were locked. When we mentioned we were from Cleveland, one said "oh, we're gonna whoop you tomorrow" (meaning the Browns/Ravens game) so I said "for that, you're gonna have to cough up a good suggestion for lunch that has good draft beer available!". They recommended City Cafe - see below*

 

 

*City Cafe - housed in a former car dealership - great food, reasonable prices and yes - good beer on tap! :-D

 

But it was time to head out - this building is a landmark of the area:

 

The book festival got busier:

 

Mies en place - yep, Baltimore has a Mies Van Der Rohe:

 

And this gorgeous beauty again:

 

Now *this* was interesting - this ginormous building is available as retail space (?). I mean, it's just huge - I don't envy the agent!

 

But like I said, Baltimore has some dud buildings - yeah, that's a lotta parking floors:

 

Slab-o-riffic!

 

Enough of the ugly things standing tall, let's find something more appealing!

 

 

And I leave off with the Bromo Seltzer Tower http://www.bromoseltzertower.com/

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's all in the game.

This is Patterson Park (Pagoda)

 

 

I hope your next set shows that ;)

Looks like Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to me - not bad at all - how does it feel in the city?  What's the impression that you get compared with the Midwest?

nice to see your take on someplace out of the cleve -- cant wait for more!  :clap:

 

hmm, a vision of scranton peninsula someday?!!

Nope, didn't make it to Patterson Park - made it a few other areas, though. I've added another batch, with one more on the way :-)

nice to see your take on someplace out of the cleve -- cant wait for more! :clap:

 

hmm, a vision of scranton peninsula someday?!!

 

It be nice to see Flats East actually started with the first brick.

Great pics May Day.

 

And yeah for "Bertha's Mussells".  Best Crab Cakes I have had in my entire life and I've eaten a lot of crab cakes all over.  Great atmosphere too.

 

I have always enjoyed myself in Baltimore and think it is a great town.  However, it seems to be the poor step sister of all the other east coast towns.  Seems like people from other cities on the east coast always like to put it down for some reason.  Classic "we have to feel better than somebody else" syndrone.

Of course it is nothing compare to what they like to say about Midwest towns (starting with Buffalo and Pittsburgh and they aren't even in the Midwest).

Weedrose, it's not too far from what Htsguy said. Purely my opinion - I like Baltimore a LOT more than DC; there's less of the crowd that moves to a city thinking they're defined by their zip code. People don't live in a place like Baltimore to be social climbers on Capitol Hill - does that make sense? I also like that Baltimore has fantastic connections and amenities along its waterfront. And coming from Cleveland, I feel more comfortable in a city with a built-up and definable core/CBD, and dense inner neighborhoods.

 

Still, I think Baltimore has a palpable stressful pace that is present in other cities on the East Coast that's not really existent in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincy, etc. Most of the people I encountered lacked the Great Lakes "approachability" - they weren't outwardly unpleasant, but definitely not as friendly as I'm used to.

You DID go to the JH Library!  I told you it was a stunner!  But I see you didn't go up the Washington Monument?

Beautiful photos of a beautiful city.  Baltimore has long been one of my faves, for obvious reasons.  To answer the Baltimore vs. Midwest question-- there is definitely a difference.  Baltimore has that intangible "East Coast" feeling, due in large part to its proximity to other big cities.  You can feel that you are in the middle of a dense and busy corridor.  But underneath it, B'more is a down-to-earth, quirky, homespun town with an extremely distinctive flavor.  It does not feel terribly unlike the old river cities of the midwest, though. 

Great pics Mayday. I am hoping to get down to B'more soon myself.

Very tasteful, compared to the way it used to be.

 

In 1979 the sleaze district still was where it is now, next door to the police department ...

 

... but it was more extensive. I heard it was something like six blocks along Baltimore street and the blocks on either side. There were girls in "professional attire" sitting in storefront windows, and thuggish guys standing in the doorways of the sleaze emporiums loudly exhorting passersby to come inside. I tried to stay unobtrusive with my camera, standing between and behind parked cars, etc., but one of them spotted me and came after me. I ran for a couple of blocks before I ventured a glance back to see if he still was chasing me.

 

Now, they've made it all nice and squeaky-clean, and polished away the patina of authenticity. Then:

It's all in the game.

 

Oh indeed!  :-D

Forgive my ignorance, but what's this building:

 

Oops, forgot to add the proper caption - that's the Belvedere condominiums http://www.belvederebaltimore.com

:clap:

 

Love Baltimore! I really admire the energy (if not the architecture) at their Harbor. And you have to love the historic side of Fells Point.

 

I sincerely hope North Coast Harbor and the Flats can follow suit very soon.

 

Thanks for posting MayDay!!!!