613 Portland Ave. Bringing 30 Apartments to Ridgely’s Delight

Baltimore developer Urban Living by Zahlco is currently underway on the redevelopment of the Eklof Building in Ridgely’s Delight. The project, which will face Portland Ave. and Washington Blvd., will be called 613 Portland St. and will include 30 luxury apartments as well as a retail space.

The 30,000 sq. ft. Eklof Building was once the home of Eklof and Co., a former restaurant equipment and supply company and sits less then a block from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The building was eyed for a condominium redevelopment in the mid 2000s, but the project later fell through. Zahlco purchased the property in July, received its zoning approvals, and began construction soon after.

613 Portland Ave. will include mostly one-bedroom apartments, but also some efficiency and two-bedroom units. The units are described as ”luxurious apartments with hip industrial design and feel,” and will feature heated bathroom floors, unique finishes, and great energy efficiency. “Utility bills will be about $30-$40 per unit a month,” said Yonah Zahler, CEO of Zahlco. “We have a background in developing million dollar homes and we are putting the same craftsmanship into these apartments.”

The property will featured seven to eight parking spots. Zahlco has also reached an agreement with a nearby garage.

Zahlco is working with the community to figure out the best fit for the retail space and is looking for a tenant who will add to the building and the quality of life in Ridgely’s Delight. “Definitely nothing generic,” said Zahler. The retail will be in a space located at 612 Washington Blvd.

“There is a beauty in being downtown, and we are always looking for locations where you can walk to restaurants, as well as many other places. There is such an urban feel to being able to hear, ‘now batting ninth,’ so close to your home,” said Zahler. “The Zahlco brand of urban living is bringing an edge to city living and providing a unique experience for the tenant.”

Zahlco has developed two other apartment projects in the city at 917 St. Paul St. and 16 E. Biddle St. in Mt. Vernon. Zahlco also has 100 more units in the design phase coming soon to the Mt. Vernon area.

613 Portland Ave. is a $4.5 to $5 million project. Zahlco is hoping to have the project completed by September with a model apartment ready for showings in the next month and a half.