It’s been a car dealership, an office building, and a movie theater. At its worst, The Centre theater had a tree growing through its middle, graffiti-tagged walls, and a floor covering of neon-shaded mold.
But all of that ended officially Tuesday night when, for the first time since 1959, The Centre’s marquee illuminated Station North, signaling the latest evolution for the neighborhood’s largest vacant building. Non-profit developer Jubilee Baltimore has spent two years and $19 million on the project.
Now, The Centre will be the home to the film programs from The Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art, plus a group of community non-profits and the Baltimore Jewelry Center. And, as Jubilee President Charlie Duff announced Tuesday, The Centre’s third floor has lured computer game developer SparkyPants Studios away from Hunt Valley. Community leaders are hoping The Centre will anchor the arts and entertainment district.
North Avenue was once an area where all parts of the city converged, Duff said. “It’s time to make it a main street again,” he said.
There are still months of work ahead, with a quick tour revealing beams laying out future film studios. But an enthusiastic crowd of 300 braved the sleet as Duff, Johns Hopkins President Ronald Daniels and MICA President Samuel Hoi prepared to flip the marquee’s switch. Spectators counted down from 10, then cheered and whistled as the lights blasted on, once again.