The Vision

Harborplace is our strongest connection to our neighborhoods, the State and the world. Harborplace’s revitalization will be authentically Baltimore – by Baltimoreans, for Baltimoreans. We will make our waterfront a world-class destination for residents and visitors for cuisine, commerce, culture, and all the best that Baltimore has to offer.

The Inner Harbor is Baltimore’s iconic landmark and together we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the future of Harborplace. The Harbor is a place for all of us, a community gathering place that Baltimore should feel proud to showcase.

We start this process with seven (7) core pillars of Harborplace’s ethos which will guide our thinking and design:

Build for Economic Sustainability.

All thriving cities have vibrant downtowns: communities with places to live, eat, play, build, dream, and connect with one another. For our City to thrive, we need Harborplace to be alive at all times, to incorporate all types of uses, and to be both a destination and a home. Thriving cities across the globe are rethinking how density, transit, residences and recreation unlock economic opportunity. Years ago, Harborplace was the model for waterfront development, and we once again have the opportunity to lead by bringing new vision to our waterfront.

Embrace Connectivity with the Water.

The Harbor is one of our City’s greatest physical assets and a national treasure. Harborplace will be a space to celebrate the waterfront by prioritizing the striking views that allow us all to dream big and see the expansiveness our City has to offer.

Make it Accessible.

Accessibility for walkers, bikers, riders, and the mobility impaired goes hand-in-hand with the vitality of our downtown. A reimagined Harborplace should serve as a gathering place, a home, and a recreation center at the heart of our City. Access to and through Harborplace connects that heart to so much more.

Keep It Local.

A quintessentially Baltimorean Harborplace means always focusing on Baltimore. We know how much our City has to offer and we will celebrate all things local at Harborplace. We will seek to bring together our uniquely talented entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, small business owners, makers, designers, artists, and so much more. If you’re interested, let us know.

Design for Resilience.

Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of our thinking, beginning with protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our most important ecological asset. Through measures like:

  • flood mitigation,

  • softer shorelines and new bio retention facilities to treat storm water and runoff,

  • interconnection to centralized utilities, and

  • contemplation of the next hundred years of use,

Harborplace will be a worldwide model for sustainable, resilient waterfront development.

Make it Safe and Welcoming.

Realization of the built environment envisioned in our core pillars will yield a Harborplace that is a safe and inviting space for all Baltimore families and our visitors. Safety is our priority as we work to ensure Harborplace will be a space for everyone in Baltimore, a place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures to come together and feel at home.

Build Equitably.

The design and vision of Harborplace starts with equity at its core. This will be a place where economic activity will benefit our entire city and all of our residents. For too long we have invested in ways that leave big parts of our community on the sidelines. Here we will provide for all uses of the space: residential, recreational, social, to build a place where all of Baltimore is welcomed and included. We start by asking for your feedback.