Architects Row |
Architects Row consists of 39 houses on the even side of Chinquapin Parkway, between Lake Avenue and Cedarcroft Road. Lawrence Menefee designed attached and semi-detached houses featuring an unorthodox arrangement at the time. Kitchens are in front with the remainder of the first floor space as an open dining/living area opening out to a deck overlooking a wooded stream bed known as Chinquapin Hollow, home to a variety of wildlife, including herons, ducks, and a fox. It is said that this rearrangement of the typical Baltimore rowhouse precipitated the designation "townhouse". In addition to the three bedrooms on the second floor, the compactly designed houses feature a walk-out basement, giving a three-story effect in the rear. The neighborhood is a pleasant walk from the historic Senator Theatre and neighboring Belvedere Square, featuring an array of fine yet affordable dining, a gourmet market, eclectic shops, and free family-friendly concerts on Friday nights from May to September. At the south end of the block, there is a playground and tennis court, and across Northern Parkway, there are a basketball court and baseball/soccer fields. Neighborliness is at its best, with the widespread practice of entrusting house keys to each other for those moments when the kids forget their keys or the dog needs to be walked by a neighbor or the house needs to be checked during vacation. |