Harborplace

Harborplace is a festival marketplace in Baltimore, Maryland, that opened in 1980 as a centerpiece of the revival of downtown Baltimore. As its name suggests, it is located on the Inner Harbor.

File:USS-Constellation-Szmurlo.jpg

USS Constellation near Baltimore's Harborplace

Harborplace is composed of 2 two-story pavilions, the Pratt Street Pavilion and the Light Street Pavilion. Each of these buildings contains dozens of stores and restaurants. Many of the stores sell merchandise specific to Baltimore or the state of Maryland, such as blue crab food products, Baltimore Orioles and Ravens merchandise, Edgar Allan Poe products, and University of Maryland Terrapins clothing. Local merchants are complemented by national retailers and restaurants, such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, The Cheesecake Factory, Johnny Rockets, Five Guys, Swatch, Fire & Ice, Urban Outfitters, Uno Chicago Grill. A Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum opened in the Light Street Pavilion on June 26, 2012.

Harborplace was designed by Benjamin C. Thompson and was built by the developer James W. Rouse and The Rouse Company near the former Light Street site of the Old Bay Line's steamship terminal and docks (1898–1950). A citywide referendum was required to proceed with the project. The facility opened on 2 July 1980.

On the weekend of July 1, 2005, Harborplace celebrated its 25th anniversary with an opening ceremony containing known local politicians and other honoraries such as Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, and Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA) president Leslie R. Doggett.

In late 2012, long-time owner General Growth Properties sold Harborplace to a New York-based real estate investment firm, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. that also owns Union Station in D.C.

External links

• Official Harborplace Website
• Listing of Stores In Harborplace