SoNo in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Baltimore Block

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

1. Baltimore Block Marker

Inscription. Baltimore Block was built in 1885 by Jacob J. Rosenthal. Named for the developer’s home town, the rowhouses were Atlanta’s first apartment-type development and the first to be based on a long-term land lease. Each of the graciously appointed fourteen original units featured central heating and gas fixtures and in accepted Baltimore custom, the land was leased to homeowners for 99 years. For a quarter of a century, the elegant rowhouses were home to socially prominent families and professionals, including the builder himself, who had settled in Atlanta.

Around 1907, the block began to fall out of vogue, and during the 1920’s, four of the buildings were torn down. The remaining units were left derelict, a home to vagrants.

Then, in 1932 came a renaissance, when artistically-minded Atlantans began to buy and restore the rowhouses, converting many to smaller apartments. Since that time, Baltimore Block has been home to artists, writers, journalists, actors, and even a French countess. Unfortunately, two more buildings were destroyed in 1954, after renovators mistakenly removed vital parts of their foundation. During

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the 1960’s, the block became a mecca for the bohemian set, when a coffeehouse, later a bar, operated out of two of the rowhouses. Later, offices, galleries and small shops began to mix in with the residential units. In 1989, the rowhouses, all under a single ownership for the first time, were renovated for use as office space, and a large L-shaped, 5-story addition was completed.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 33° 46.083′ N, 84° 23.317′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in SoNo. It is on Baltimore Place 0.1 miles west of West Peachtree Street NW, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the very western end of Baltimore Place, inside a gated/guarded parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Baltimore Place NW, Atlanta GA 30308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

2. Baltimore Block Marker

Interstate 75/85 ("the Connector") is just beyond the fence.

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Techwood Homes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Southern Company (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Imperial Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Reconciliation (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Georgian Terrace Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. John S. Pemberton (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Georgia Tech Origins (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

3. Baltimore Block Marker

Looking east on Baltimore Place: Emory Midtown Hospital (Crawford Long Hospital) is visible in the distance, across West Peachtree Street.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

4. Baltimore Block Marker

The marker and the entrance to the combined (Baltimore Block and the 1989 addition) facility, now "Baltimore Row."

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

5. Baltimore Block Marker

Baltimore Row: the original 1885 buildings are to the right, with the 1989 addition to the left of the connector. The marker can be seen to the left of the entrance.

Baltimore Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

6. Baltimore Block

The remaining 1885 rowhouses

Photographed by David Seibert, September 11, 2011

7. Baltimore Block

Entrances to three of the original townhouses

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,116 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 26, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.