Downtown Baltimore has empty office buildings. How turning them into housing will — and won’t — work.
Nearly 120 years ago, the Great Baltimore Fire ripped through downtown, razing almost all the structures. City leaders were forced to re-imagine and rebuild a more resilient downtown. Today’s leaders face a similar existential question. There are no smoldering remains or piles of ash. All the buildings and towers still stand, but many are empty, partially vacant or at risk of losing tenants.