Downtown Baltimore's diversity is its greatest asset. With so much to see, do, and experience, it's hard to summarize its appeal in a few bullet points. That said, some of Downtown's most conspicuous advantages include:

• A world-renowned Inner Harbor, including Harborplace, the National
  Aquarium, the Power Plant, Maryland Science Center, and Port Discovery
  Children's Museum.
• Sports and entertainment events at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, PSINet
  Stadium, and the Baltimore Arena.
• Cultural and educational resources such as the Walters Art Museum,
  Maryland Historical Society, and Peabody Institute.
• Close proximity to BWI airport and Penn Station including light rail
  Service to both.
• Many public transit options, including bus, light rail, metro subway and
  MARC.
• Critical mass of goods and services.
• Significant landmarks such as the original Washington Monument, Basilica
  of the Assumption, and the Bromo Seltzer tower.
• Special events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Baltimore Flower
  Mart, the lighting of the Washington Monument, and First Thursdays on
  Charles Street.
• An infusion of new residential opportunities through the completion of
  such long-awaited projects as the Atrium at Market Center, 300 North Charles
  Street, and 501 St. Paul Place

The housing available downtown consists primarily of market-rate rental apartments. Each of downtown's traditional four main districts (City Center, Inner Harbor, West Side and Camden Yards), has a distinctive housing type. However, it is important to remember that all of downtown's four major sections are within walking distance of each other as well as all major employers, cultural attractions, mass transit options and entertainment venues.

City Center offers a growing selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom rental apartments. The area predominately offers high-rise apartment towers such as Charles Towers and the Oakwood. However, there are a growing number of former office buildings that are being converted to apartments. These buildings offer residents totally unique living experiences. One can choose an apartment with a 20 foot ceiling height and interior loft at 300 N. Charles Street Apartments or a panoramic view of the City skyline from the 18th floor of the Munsey Building (currently under construction). The Inner Harbor offers high-rise rental apartment or for-sale condominium towers that overlook the infamous waterway. Where else could you sit on your balcony and enjoy a stunning view of the harbor with the downtown skyline in the background. The center of all of the action is literally right in your front yard.

West Side of downtown is currently undergoing a transformation that will rival the Inner Harbor's redevelopment 30 years ago. Already, the West Side is downtown's true neighborhood with the largest concentration of market-rate rental apartments. Residents can choose from magnificent lofts in turn-of the century warehouses like the Marlboro, soaring new high-rise
apartments like Redwood Towers or one-of-a kind units in the recently completed Atrium at Market Center. Studios, one, two and three bedroom units are all available.

Camden Yards rental options mainly include loft apartments in converted warehouses and factories. Ideal for the reverse commuter, University of Maryland, Baltimore affiliates or for the sports fanatic, Camden Yards is the place for you. Imagine having a major league baseball diamond as your front yard, and you don't even need a lawn mower.

With the exception of some waterfront condominiums, there are virtually no opportunities for home purchases in downtown. However, adjacent neighborhoods offer a wide variety of housing types, either for sale or for rent, ranging from traditional row houses to high-rise apartments. These neighborhoods listed below are described in detail elsewhere on this Website. Simply click on the neighborhood name to get more details.

Downtown Baltimore has been the stage upon which much of Baltimore's history has played out since the City was incorporated in 1796.

Here are some significant and esoteric milestones:

• The first monument to George Washington, a 128-foot marble tower, was established in Downtown Baltimore in 1829.
• In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner while imprisoned aboard a British ship in the harbor. The original manuscript is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society.
• Downtown Baltimore was nearly destroyed during the great fire of 1904. Total damages reached $150 million.
• Established in 1806, the Basilica of the Assumption is the nation's oldest Roman Catholic cathedral.
• Downtown Baltimore was the home of the first commercial electrical streetcar line.
• The first branch of the YMCA was established at Pratt and Schroeder streets.
• In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office in what is now the Garmatz Federal Office Building.
• In 1995, Cal Ripken played his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record set by Lou Gehrig IV, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.