2 things to learn from Baltimore's Harborplace

From "Brewery's lease could shake up Harborplace roster again," in the Baltimore Business Journal.

1. As always, about the loss of authenticity. Hey, I like Capitol City Brewing Company, but Baltimore has its own brewing history, which could be utilized to develop brew pub "concepts." But having a tapas place, Irish bar, etc., hardly makes the Inner Harbor any different from anywhere else.

2. Interestingly, the rents in Harborplace and near Harborplace run $35-$40/square foot according to the article.

Rents are key. Why is it that rents in marginal commercial districts in DC are about $30/square foot?

See:
-- Retail and Authenticity: Continued
-- (Why aren't people) Learning from Jane Jacobs
-- Is there a link between historic designation and chaining up of retail in neighborhood commercial districts?
-- Dupont Circle's changing retail environment covered in today's Post
-- Nurturing independent retailiers through creatively reducing capital requirements
-- (Why aren't people) Learning from Jane Jacobs revisited
-- Clarendon (Arlington Virginia)
-- Forcing Displacement by the disconnection of tax assessment models from public policy goals;
-- Testimony -- Historic Neighborhood Retail Business Property Tax Relief Act
-- (and this shorter sum up) Globalization of the DC real estate market catches neighborhood commercial districts up in the wake.