Location: Baltimore, MD
Client: Baltimore Public Markets Corporation
Size: 34,000 sf

Avenue Market (formerly Lafayette Market) is one of Baltimore’s oldest and most treasured public markets. Since 1838, it has served the Upton neighborhood, offering a space for local vendors to sell produce, meats, and other goods. Throughout its history, the Market has remained a resilient community landmark, weathering economic shifts, fires, and evolving cultural tastes.

In 2023, Baltimore Public Markets Corporation (BPMC) received $5 million from the Mayor’s Office to modernize the roughly 34,000-square-foot facility. A central goal was to reimagine the Market as a flexible, multi-use space that responds to current community needs. After a grocery chain occupying 15,000 square feet closed, the project team saw an opportunity to reprogram the space.

BPMC partnered with Twopoint Studio and local agencies to develop a community-driven vision. A ‘Community Day’ event brought together residents, market staff, and designers to explore ideas and priorities. The result is a dynamic new layout that combines food and retail with meaningful community spaces, including a neighborhood hub, classroom, teaching kitchen, and co-working area.

The updated Market will offer a mix of prepared, fresh, and cooked food vendors, along with a small grocery store featuring frozen and canned goods. This reinvestment is designed to strengthen Avenue Market’s role as a central hub—preserving its legacy while evolving into a modern community anchor.