Politics & Government

Hampden Building Proposed for Landmark List

A developer was interested in turning the Shelley House into a 12-unit apartment complex.

A Hampden building that was in danger of being turned into a 12-unit apartment complex may now be heading to the Baltimore City Landmark List.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke submitted a bill to add the Shelley House, 3849 Roland Ave., to the protection list during the City Council meeting Monday. Clarke said the building was the first built with reinforced concrete in the city in response to the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 that preceded the house by a year.

“Now, the ancient Romans used reinforced concrete but this is Baltimore,” Clarke joked during the meeting.

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Last month helped convince a developer, who had a contract to purchase the property that was contingent on the city approving plans to turn the building into an apartment complex, not to pursue the project.

Eric Dashner, of Finer Remodeling and Building, told Patch last month that he was no longer interested in redeveloping the building.

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“If they don’t want me to improve the neighborhood, then I don’t want to be here,” Dashner said at the time. 

Residents who lived near the building were concerned about the construction proposed at the building as well as the impact of parking an apartment complex in the building could have.

Do you think the Shelley House should be added to the city's historic landmark list? Tell us in comments.


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