The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome involved the architectural connection of three historic landmark buildings - the Western National Bank, the Eutaw Savings Bank, and the original Hippodrome Theatre. The original Hippodrome Theater was designed by noted theater architect, Thomas Lamb, and opened in 1914 as a Theater Palace.
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) and the City of Baltimore prepared a Downtown Strategic Plan to guide continued revitalization of Baltimore’s central business district. A critical focus of this plan was to identify a strategic approach to improving the public realm to help attract and retain employers, residents and visitors.
