Moxil LLC owns a three-building site in Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland. For eighty years the buildings have been used for apparel production, so the infrastructure is outfitted for that purpose, but a recent zoning appeal expanded the allowable uses for the property. Moxil is currently accepting applications for lease of part or all of the space. The address is 620-626 Franklin Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21221.
The total exterior property footprint is 24,000 square feet, including two parking lots and a rear space for possible additional parking. The total interior space consists of 20,000 +/- square feet. The buildings were used for apparel production since before the Baltimore County zoning regulations of 1945, so although the buildings are located in a residential DR 5.5 zoning, they are grandfathered for apparel production, and have an approved nonconforming zoning for that use. In addition, a successful 2024 Baltimore County zoning appeal expanded the zoning to BL (business light). The buildings have been in continuous use for apparel production through the present, so the nonconforming use for apparel production will remain in effect so as long as apparel production continues.
The oldest building is frame and cedar shingled, and is vintage c. 1920. It may have served as a church or town hall, and a poster found under the original shingles announced “The First Grand Ball of the Young Men’s Pleasure Club of Essex”, December 8, 1922. A knowledgeable historian found information suggesting that organization was a social club that formed a baseball team in 1923, and was active from 1926 to perhaps 1943. There is also a half-underground tunnel connecting the old building to the middle building. The two newer block buildings are vintage c. 1930-1940.
Each of the three buildings has a ground floor and a first floor: four areas are suitable for apparel or other production; and all areas are suitable for display, exhibits, storage, conferencing, repair shop, light manufacturing etc. The middle building has a loading dock with double doors for semi-trailer loading and unloading. The buildings are equipped with 240 volt 3-phase feed rail and two air compressors. All work areas are air conditioned and have LED lighting. Heat is supplied by overhead gas and forced air units. There is a dry sprinkler system inside and outside, and a security system with motion detectors, entrance and exit sensors and radio contact with remote monitoring. A security camera system is planned for the near future. The building also has small private one room apartment with shower. and a conference room is planned for the future.
The original Aetna Shirt Company was established in downtown Baltimore in 1916, and that company was in continuous operation until it was purchased in 2019. At one time Aetna had hundreds of employees and machines. Most of the machines have been sold, but the present building still has in storage countless sewing parts such as K-legs, tables, folders, thread stands, folders, bobbin winders, etc.
The location is close to interstate route 95, the Baltimore beltway Route 695, the Dundalk Marine Terminal, and Tradepoint Atlantic, the largest multi-modal site available in the Baltimore-Washington area. Distance to Martin State Airport is 3.7 miles, and the distance to Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 18 miles. At this time the Francis Scott Key Bridge along beltway route 695 is still closed for reconstruction.
The buildings are suitable for apparel or other production as per Baltimore County zoning BL (business light) regulations, and are available for lease. Please contact Mr. Daniel at dek@moxil.com. Pictures of the exterior and interior follow.
