Baltimore County Approves 818 Market Design

Any new construction that fronts the main street of a small town has a special responsibility. The new building must fit into the existing context, paying homage to local history and its surroundings. But it must also contribute to a modern conversation, in this case about a welcoming and effective retail space for foot and car traffic.

That’s exactly the kind of challenge we love, and so we were delighted when Pat Baldwin and Dan Zakai of 818 Market, LLC, asked us to design a combination grocery store and restaurant for a significant site in Catonsville, Maryland, a small community founded in 1831 just west of Baltimore City.

“We wanted to harken back to the days of Baltimore’s famous municipal markets,” says KGRW principal Kevin Glover. “They were community gathering places as well as food halls. You’ll see that intent reflected in the building’s street presence. Inside, we’ve created vibrant spaces with a contemporary retail footprint.”

The results are a hit with local residents and also with the Baltimore County Design Review Panel (DRP), which wholeheartedly endorsed the design. “That’s important to us,” says Glover. “To have the community be excited about a new building constructed in a setting that brings a lot of history.”

The project includes a sky-lit atrium, grocery store, restaurant, bar, commercial kitchen, retail space, storage and utility areas. The Baltimore Sun recently published an excellent article about the new 818 Market, scheduled to open in October 2019. Click here to read more.