Meshing Vintage City Life with Upscale Design
Located near the invigorated neighborhoods of Roland Park, Hampden and Medfield, The Icon Residences will feature 379 luxurious apartments, premier shops, restaurants and office space.
By Andie Lowenstein, Associate Editor
Baltimore—New renderings are available for the Icon Residences at The Rotunda, a mixed-use, $100 million redevelopment project in Baltimore.
HDG was selected by Hekemian & Co., a third-generation family-owned real estate management and development company. Located near the invigorated neighborhoods of Roland Park, Hampden and Medfield, The Icon Residences will feature 379 luxurious apartments, premier shops, restaurants and office space. The plan for the mid-rise development highlights the public spaces and amenities such as the vestibule, lobby, concierge areas, club room, terrace, bar, fitness lounge and yoga room, residential corridors, and an outdoor courtyard and pool area. Additional amenities include bike storage, a pet friendly community with a dog washing station, electric car charging station, and parking access from every floor.
“The Rotunda development already has a great mix of small retail, so that fact that Icon residents will be able to walk out their door and go to the coffee shop, or go to yoga class, make this a special property to merge the “live, work, play” lifestyle.” Phyllis Hartman, president of Hartman Design Group, told MHN.
The design concept is interesting—The Rotunda is located in a neighborhood abundant in warehouse and mill history that is now being revived with renovations and new developments. The Rotunda was originally a shopping mall. Bernard Manekin converted the 1920s Maryland Casualty Insurance Co. building into a shopping center in 1971. Deserted for years, Hekemian & Co. purchased the building in the early 2000s and began renovating.
Hartman Design Group (HDG) designed to cater to the expected resident demographic, including students from nearly Johns Hopkins University, commuting professionals, empty-nesters, and anyone intrigued by a luxury, community lifestyle at a more affordable cost than what is trending at other Inner Harbor properties. HDG was inspired by Hampden’s history and rejuvenated neighborhood to create innovative interiors that mesh vintage city life with prestigious design.
“There are not many new apartment complexes in the community, so the Icon Residences will stand out as a new-build development that nods to the history of the area in a modern and contemporary way,” Hartman said. “Location wise, it’s also the center point of the Hampden community, as The Rotunda development is well known with a lot of cool retail and restaurant spaces. As the community gentrifies, I think it will always have that Bohemian feel which is something we tapped into with the design of the interiors to connect with the local demographic.”
The contemporary space suits the design plans, containing exposed reclaimed wood beams, rustic wood flooring, embossed concrete tiles, and pops of orange, green and blue scattered among the neutral color palette. Exceptional finishes throughout include statement light fixtures, custom millwork and laser cut metals. The design team is working toward LEED certification.
Construction of the Icon Residences began in September 2013, with the first occupancy and amenities anticipated to open in October 2015. Additional construction at The Rotunda is scheduled to continue through Spring 2016.
