Harborplace vacancies open door for national chains

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Harborplace, the Inner Harbor retail and dining destination that boosted tourism in Baltimore almost 30 years ago, might need a makeover.

For years, tourists have flocked to the city’s waterfront, passing through Harborplace between trips to the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center. But as more condo and apartment buildings pop up downtown, new Baltimore residents are looking for nearby retail outlets.

There are seven retail vacancies at Harborplace — one in the Pratt Street Pavilion and six in the Light Street Pavilion — and current Harborplace tenants say they’d like to see some national retailers fill those spaces to attract city residents during times when tourism slows.

“We need more higher-end retail stores,” said Susan Applegate, district manager of Fire & Ice, an accessory store in Pratt Street Pavilion. “It would draw a lot more people if there was something different.”

Tee Agresott, the manager at Best of Baltimore in the Light Street Pavilion for nine years, said the demand is there for increased downtown retail.

“It would be easier for people in the city to get things in the city instead of going to the surrounding counties,” Agresott said.

The challenge for Harborplace owner General Growth Properties is to attract national retailers that can afford waterfront rental rates that are “pretty significant,” said Tony Casalena, managing director of commercial real estate firm Sperry Van Ness’ Baltimore office, located in the World Trade Center next to Harborplace.

“From what I’ve seen, it’s more the local businesses that are in and out,” Casalena said. “It’s going to be tough for a local shop to open up and survive the slow times. You’re going to have to have some national retailers come in that can survive the peaks and valleys.”

GGP doesn’t release rental rates or vacancy rates for its properties and handles leasing activity in house, said Carmel Gambacorta, Harborplace’s marketing director.

“Leasing is an ongoing effort,” said Gambacorta, who added Harborplace is more of a tourist attraction compared with The Gallery, also owned by GGP, a more traditional mall located across Pratt Street.

Harborplace underwent renovations in 2004 and 2005, adding more restaurants for tourists and downtown residents and workers, said Nancy Hinds, vice president of public affairs for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Center. Additional retail should be the next step, Hinds said.

“You have to appeal to the tourist who wants that ‘I’m Crabby in Baltimore’ T-shirt, but you have to change with the times,” Hinds said. “This is now a 24-hour city, and you need retail options.”

Staff Writers Aaron Cahall and Anthony Fair contributed to this article.

acannarsa@baltimoreexaminer.com

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