Rentals in Mount Vernon

As everyone knows, I love my neighborhood. In my opinion, Mount Vernon is the best place to live in Baltimore City. (I will entertain arguments to the contrary, of course, so please feel free to respond with why your neighborhood is the pinnacle of city living.)

I was reminded of the joys of Mount Vernon while helping a few clients look for rentals. My partner and I primarily work in sales, but about 10% of our business comes from rentals, with that percentage most likely increasing in this economic climate.

One of the most popular buildings for rent is 1101 Saint Paul, or the Saint Paul at Chase. www.stpaulatchase.com/spac_home.htm It might not be the most esthetically pleasing structure to look at, but the views from the building are spectacular. If the position of the unit is on the southern side, and you’re above the 6th floor, you can usually see all the way down to the water. The rooms are spacious and light, with a functional layout. There is 24 hour security and parking (for rent) in the lower level. Additionally, 1101 Saint Paul has one of the best staffs in the city. The doormen and the ladies who work the front desk are charming, with colorful personalities that reflect the diversity of experience in Baltimore. As you enter the lobby, you can always expect a welcome from the employees – they become an integral part of your neighborhood. One of my most treasured memories associated with 1101 Saint Paul is when one of the doormen allowed me to hear about his experiences in World War II, and did me the honor of showing me both a picture of him as a young man in uniform, and his dog tags, which he still wears.

Another popular building is The Belvedere, or 1 East Chase. www.belvederebaltimore.com It is a beautiful example of Beaux Arts architecture, with a magnificent lobby of marble and gilt. It’s located at the top of Mount Vernon, and has commanding views of the city, especially from its bar/lounge, the 13th Floor. There are other bars and restaurants in the building, including the Owl Bar (which was a speak-easy during Prohibition) and Red Square. www.redsqauremd.com The Belvedere opened its doors in 1903 as a hotel, and countless luminaries stayed there during its reign as the “Grand Dame of Baltimore.” If you’d like a glimpse of some of those actors, politicians, musicians and royalty who frequented the hotel, the hallway leading from the lobby to the Owl Bar displays a variety of photographs.

Still another sought-after building in the same few blocks is 1001 Saint Paul. Like Saint Paul at Chase and the Belvedere, one can rent or buy a unit in this building, subject to availability. Unlike the other buildings, 1001 Saint Paul does not have 2 bedroom units. It has 1 bedroom units, and efficiencies. It has a concierge desk and a convenience store in the basement. It also has a wonderful roof deck which is open to all of its residents, and a newly opened garage on the lower level.

Stay tuned for other installments on rentals in Mount Vernon! There are so many types and styles of buildings in our neighborhood, and I think they all deserve to be blogged about. I’ll write a few entries on what is available.