A piece of Baltimore history is closer to being recognized as a landmark by the city.

The Shelley House at 3849 Roland Ave. was added to the city’s special protection list and recommended to be designated a historic landmark by the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation on Tuesday.

The Shelley House was built between 1905 and 1906 when that area of Hampden was still a lightly developed part of Baltimore County. The building has historic significance because it is the oldest residential building made of reinforced concrete in Baltimore.

Construction on the building started one year after the Great Baltimore Fire, which influenced the selection of reinforced concrete for the home, because it was more fire resistant than other commonly used building materials at the time.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke recently introduced legislation to add the building as a landmark after a developer submitted a contract on the building, which is for sale, with the intention of turning it into a complex of 12 apartments.

"We’re so excited that we have a historic house in our midst," Clarke said during Tuesday’s hearing.

By adding the building to the special protection list it prevents any significant work from being done on the building while the city goes through the process of adding it as a landmark.

The building is again under contract but there was no objection to it being placed on the special list.  

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