Well, it’s finally happening. After so many twists and turns over the years, the transformation of the Pikesville Armory complex is becoming a reality.
To mark this significant occasion in the life of the Northwest Baltimore community, an official groundbreaking ceremony of the redevelopment of the historic property was held on Monday, Jan. 22. Among the attendees were Gov. Wes Moore, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., and other elected officials, civic leaders and project supporters.
“I applaud the Pikesville Armory Foundation for moving in partnership with Maryland leaders to transform a local landmark into a community anchor,” said Moore. “This ambitious project will bring Marylanders together, drive growth, inspire engagement, and support our veterans. I’m proud to support this critical investment in Baltimore and stand with all of the community leaders who have helped make it possible.”
Said Olszewski: “Transforming the Pikesville Armory property into a modern, multi-use space –- while honoring its rich and storied history –- is sure to create a vibrant social center and community hub for residents of all ages in Baltimore County. We thank the Pikesville Armory Foundation for its diligent advocacy and our county, state and federal partners for their support for this important regional project.”
Last August, the Maryland Department of Public Works approved the transfer of ownership of the armory at 610 Reisterstown Rd. from the state to Baltimore County for $1.
In October, ownership of the site was transferred to the Pikesville Armory Foundation, a nonprofit formed in 2020, to support efforts to transform the campus into a community hub with indoor courts, outdoor fields, state-of-the-art playgrounds, maker spaces, theaters, art spaces, walking paths, beer gardens, co-working spaces and more.
The PAF will redevelop the armory campus in partnership with the Baltimore-based Seawall community organization and the Onyx Development firm. The development team of Seawall and Onyx will work in partnership with the PAF on all aspects of the project’s design, financing, public art, leasing and programming. The total cost of the redevelopment project is estimated to be around $100 million.
The first phase of the redevelopment process will begin in April with construction to renovate and restore the NonCommissioned Officers Club building, which will take approximately 12 months. The second phase, encompassing the main armory building and 10-plus acres of green space, will kick off in early 2026, with construction taking approximately two years.
“We are thrilled to witness this major step in bringing our community’s vision to life,” said PAF board president Shelley Morhaim. “The Armory project began six years ago with citizen input that has brought us here today. The redeveloped Armory will create inter-generational opportunities and benefits for the entire northwest Baltimore County and Baltimore City region.
“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey, and we welcome everyone’s continued support and ideas.”
Located a half mile north of the city line, the armory — a 60,000-square-foot former military storage facility on 14 acres of land — could serve as an economic and cultural engine for the Pikesville/Reisterstown Road corridor while celebrating the arts and military history. The property has generally been dormant for many years.
The armory was built in 1903 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It was decommissioned in 2016, and a process commenced to determine its future usage. The property was valued at $4.2 million by one appraiser.
In 2017, the armory was the focus of a commission established by former Gov. Larry Hogan that drew upon hundreds of community conversations. The redevelopment calls for “a multi-use venue for recreation, arts, and other community programming,” and led to the creation of the PAF.
The PAF was founded by representatives from the Greater Pikesville Recreation Council, the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans of the Pikesville Military Reservation, the 1000 Friends of Pikesville group, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore.
Seawall is known for the development of such food halls and public spaces as Lexington Market and R. House, teacher apartments and nonprofit offices at Miller’s Court and Union Mill, and creative community hubs like the Union Collective.
“The Pikesville Armory redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring together Baltimoreans from all walks of life,” Peter DiPrinzio, Seawall’s development director, said last August. “We believe this will be a transformative project that both honors the history of this property and turns it into a valuable community gathering place for generations to come.”
A Black and female-owned firm, Onyx Development specializes in community-centered development and is currently at work on the redevelopment of historic rowhomes in the Pimlico and Franklin Square/Harlem Park neighborhoods, student housing near Coppin State, and as a consultant to other mission-driven projects.
“Community-focused development is something Onyx and Seawall pride ourselves on,” said Rian Hargrave, founder and CEO of Onyx Development. “The Pikesville Armory project will be a paramount project that will make the Armory a destination not only for Baltimore County and the Northwest Corridor, but Baltimore City as well as the State of Maryland. We’re thrilled to be a part of restoring such a renowned site,”
For information, visit pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org.
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