| The Loft Historic Districts (North and South) are located near the University of Maryland Campus in downtown Baltimore. The Districts are architecturally significant for their massive, brick vertical manufactories that date from 1870 to 1915 and represent the finest collection of large Victorian, Romanesque and early modern industrial design in Baltimore. At the turn of the century, Baltimore was a national leader in the manufacture of ready-to-wear clothes. This area housed many of the clothing manufacturers that represented a significant segment of Baltimore’s leading industrial firms. The E. Rosenfeld & Company, Hamburger Brothers, and the Strauss Brothers are just a few of these important companies located in the districts.Both historic districts retain a high degree of integrity. All of the buildings are five to seven stories high and feature a variety of architectural details including decorative brick work; rough stone archways, sills and lintels; terra cotta decoration; cast iron storefronts and rooftop water tanks. The Loft Historic Districts contain the largest concentration of loft type structures in downtown Baltimore. While some industry remains, many of the industrial buildings have been innovatively converted to residential and office uses.
The Loft Historic District North is roughly bounded by Paca, Redwood, Eutaw, and Lombard Sts. The Loft Historic District South is located along the 500 block of W. Pratt St. between Green St. and the 100 block of S. Paca St. The buildings in the districts are not open to the public. |
Photo by Shannon Bell, National Register of Historic Places Loft Historic District Photo by Fred B. Shoken, National Register of Historic Places |