City and state leaders are close to sealing a 20‑year lease that will keep Baltimore’s Top of the World observation deck in place through 2045. The agreement, expected to be submitted to the city’s Board of Estimates and the Maryland Board of Public Works before year‑end, will give the city a stable foundation to begin a major renovation of the 27th‑floor galleries.
Lease negotiations move forward
Representatives from Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration and the nonprofit Create Baltimore outlined the lease details at a Thursday gathering in the World Trade Center Baltimore. Deputy Chief Kate Edwards of the Baltimore City Law Department’s Corporate Real Estate Practice Group said the city is negotiating a lease that could start as a 10‑year term with a 10‑year renewal option, or an outright 20‑year lease. Either structure would be subject to public approval by both the city’s Board of Estimates and the state’s Board of Public Works.
The World Trade Center, owned by the State of Maryland and located at 401 E. Pratt St., has reserved the 27th floor for city use since the building opened in 1977. A series of short‑term extensions have kept the attraction open after the previous long‑term lease expired on May 31, 2025. The current extension allows the venue to operate until Dec. 31, 2026, giving officials time to finalize the new agreement.
Renovation plans aim to modernize the visitor experience
With the lease secured, Create Baltimore plans to launch a capital campaign to fund extensive upgrades. Ziger|Snead Architects will lead the design, proposing new gallery walls, an acoustic louver ceiling system, updated lighting, flooring, restrooms, benches, and a redesigned gift shop. The design intent is to create “a fresh, contemporary visitor experience” that reflects Baltimore’s evolving story.
One of the most visible changes will be the addition of interactive digital kiosks. These displays will let visitors zoom into any neighborhood—North, South, East, or West—and explore history, culture, notable figures, and oral histories through text, video, and audio. The updated content will replace outdated facts that date back to the Kurt Schmoke mayoral era (1987‑1999) and will include recent milestones such as Governor Wes Moore’s historic election and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller’s groundbreaking service.
Current signage above the windows points out distances to far‑off cities like Toronto and Rio de Janeiro. The new plan will add local reference points such as Edmondson Village, Turner Station, Park Heights, Westport, Frederick, and Annapolis, giving Baltimore residents a stronger sense of place.
Community and tourism benefits
Since opening in 1979, Top of the World has offered a 360‑degree view of the city from more than 400 feet above the streets. The attraction draws both tourists and locals, contributing to Baltimore’s tourism economy. City officials argue that preserving and enhancing the venue is essential to maintaining the city’s cultural and economic vitality.
“Top of the World is an asset to the city,” said the attraction’s director, who noted that the upcoming upgrades will better serve area residents while still welcoming out‑of‑town visitors. The capital campaign will be led by Create Baltimore, with the Living Classrooms Foundation overseeing educational programming.
Next steps
Edwards expects the lease proposal to be ready for board consideration before the end of 2026. Once approved, the renovation timeline will be set, and fundraising efforts will begin in earnest. The city and its partners emphasize that the long‑term lease provides the certainty needed to invest in a modern, family‑friendly attraction that honors Baltimore’s past while looking toward its future.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
