A new market will be built on the south parking lot, and the Arcade will be replaced with an open-air market.

A long-awaited remodel of the Lexington Market is finally underway. The 240-year-old market in downtown Baltimore was at one time of the largest centers of food commerce in America. The market is home to vendors that sell fresh produce, meat, and baked goods, along with dozens of quick-serve restaurants. Remodeling the aging market has been on the city’s wishlist for years, and now that wish is finally coming to fruition. 

Lexington Market in 1903

The market in 1903, courtesy of Wikipedia

A groundbreaking for the new Lexington Market was held on February 18 in the city. Mayor Larry Hogan and Baltimore Mayor Jack C. Young were both on hand for the festivities along with other local officials. 

“The State of Maryland needs a strong Baltimore City, which is why our administration has been fighting for dramatic change here,” said Governor Hogan. “Today we are making our latest investment in the city with the redevelopment of this historic Lexington Market, which is another step in the revitalization and transformation of this city, and just one more way that we are continuing to change Maryland for the better.”

Rendering of new open-air plaza at the Lexington Market, courtesy Seawall

Rendering of a new open-air plaza at the Lexington Market, courtesy Seawall

The first phase of the project will be to construct a building on the south parking lot called the New South Market. Shortly after construction is underway, the developer plans to demolish the Arcade structure on Old Lexington St. and transform the space into an open, walkable plaza that can be used for farmers' markets and public events. The original East Market building will be closed and preserved for a new project in the future. The project is slated to be completed by the summer of 2021, and the East Market will remain open during construction.

The project is expected to cost between $35 and $40 million, with the bulk of the funding coming from the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. The market will begin taking applications for vendors shortly after construction begins.