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BALTIMORE-Construction has kicked off for the Ritz-Carlton Residences Inner Harbor Baltimore with the Baltimore Planning Commission's final approval of the site plan for the 178-unit luxury condominium project. Developer Midtown Baltimore LLC--a partnership consisting of New York-based Midtown Equities and Miami's Samuel & Co.--expects to spend $250 million to complete the project.

Prior to the start of actual construction, there had been some visual evidence of the project because, due to the property's waterfront location, bulkheading had to be completed first. McLean Contracting Co. conducted that work under a $10-million contract. The residences, located on a 5.6-acre parcel at the foot of Federal Hill on Key Highway Downtown, are being billed by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.'s first all-residential Ritz property.

In addition to the residential units, the property will feature a 13,000-sf spa and fitness center, a 22-slip marina and a private movie theater. All elements will be encompassed in six connected low-rise structures, a project spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com, so as to avoid blocking the harbor for other Federal Hill dwellers. With all plans on track, the condominium property is scheduled to deliver in mid-2007.