1100 Greenmount Avenue

1100 Greenmount Avenue is 109 units of new affordable rental housing currently under construction in the Johnston Square neighborhood of Baltimore. The project is a joint venture development of Somerset Development Company, New Community Partners, and ReBUILD Metro, Inc.

1100 Greenmount Ave is the first of three multifamily buildings that the Somerset team is developing in partnership with the community as outlined in the Johnston Square Vision Plan. The community-led, Baltimore City-approved Johnston Square Vision Plan guides a multi-decade, multi-hundred million dollar inclusive redevelopment effort in Johnston Square that rebuilds the neighborhood while protecting legacy residents. The Project’s 109 new apartments will be affordable to households with incomes ranging from 30-80% of Area Median Income.

Designed by Quinn Evans Architects and built by Harkins Builders, the four-story building will have a large community meeting and function space, fitness center, laundry rooms, package delivery facilities, electronic message boards in the lobby, playrooms, business center, dog wash, bicycle storage and parking, full-time on-site property management and resident services staffing, surface parking with four electric vehicle charging stations, a rooftop event space, rooftop gardening and more.

Of particular note, through an innovative public private partnership with the City of Baltimore, the Project will include a new branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library on the ground floor of the building, opening out onto the new public park being developed along Biddle Street by ReBUILD Metro and the community. The partnership’s creative approach to financing the Library eliminated upfront construction costs for the City and subsidized the Library’s rent.

The Project’s all-electric design will achieve the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home standard and the National Green Building Standard Silver designation. The Project also features a 150kW photovoltaic solar array.

Financing for the $54 million development was arranged through an innovative mix of public and private resources, including $25.5 million in low income housing and energy tax credit equity provided by Boston Financial, a $13.5 million FHA 221(d)(4) permanent loan from Capital One, National Association, $3.5 million of Rental Housing Works and $3.0 million of Multifamily Capital Funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and $2.0 million from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Baltimore City contributed $1.0 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $750,000 through the American Rescue Plan Act, an $82,000 seller’s note through a Land Disposition Agreement, and a PILOT Agreement.

Construction began in June 2024 and is anticipated to finish in August 2025.