The Chanukah House...A Baltimore Tradition is being Sold 6211 Park Heights Ave 21215

The Chanukah House...A Baltimore Tradition is being Sold

6211 Park Heights Ave 21215

Some houses bring more to their community than just a nice façade, and this is one of them. For many years, one house has brought light to its neighborhood with a seasonal display that gave it the name of the "Chanukah House" at 6211 Park Heights Avenue. The colorful display took a hundred hours to set up and drew throngs of visitors; even the Mayor of Baltimore used to attend the lighting ceremony.

It was no accident that the house was so brightly lit - Ann and Morris Cohen brightened the community with their presence. When Ann died recently, Phil Jacobs, the executive editor of the Jewish Times wrote:

If there was one woman to select who understood this community, who helped build it, it was our dearly beloved friend Ann Cohen.

We may know her as the woman who helped bring light to the dark of winter through the Chanukah House.

The truth is, that was symbolic of what she did out of the spotlight. There are countless little stories that many of us can tell of the kindness she gave to us in a deep, personal, connecting way.

She found good in everyone. She was non-judgmental. She’d do anything for everyone. I don’t believe the word “no” was in her vocabulary.

To paraphrase what Rabbi Herman eulogized, she brought light to the community with the Chanukah House. But when Chanukah was over, her light continues to bring us warmth and clarity.

Originally planned for March 7, but postponed due to the death of Ann Cohen, the Open House was held Sunday, March 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. As originally planned, the Open House by invitation only and promoted The Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai.

Here is a rare opportunity to see this remarkable home that holds four apartments, 10,000 square feet, and a special place in the memory of so many in the community. Please call for your personal invitation.

The Chanukah House...A Baltimore Tradition is being Sold 6211 Park Heights Ave 21215

Condo Connections in Baltimore

Condo Connections in Baltimore

The 6200 block of Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore is home to some of my favorite real estate. There's the Million Dollar Mansion at 6211 that is the jewel of my listings right now. And right across the street is Strathmore Towers at 6210. I just added #602 to my listings, but there have been several others over the years, including Briana's.

You'll recall a delightful young woman who came to Baltimore to attend college and who found her home in #701 at the Strathmore Towers. The transaction started when her mother contacted me from the British Virgin Islands. What began as a conversation with an out-of-town buyer turned into a special connection for all of us.

The condo was vacant and in beautiful condition when Briana purchased. With much style and elegance, she decorated her space - I am so proud of this young, talented full time student. Much of the furniture came from another unit in this same building. But it was Briana's accessories, placement and wood refinishing, that made it her home.

Seeing a young person create her own space and fill it with personality is one of the special perks of best parts of my job!

Al Capone Cooked on This Stove in Baltimore...Really!

Al Capone Cooked on this Stove in Baltimore ....Really !!!

When you hear "Al Capone" if you're like most people you think "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" or maybe "mobster" or "Scarface." You probably don't think "Baltimore"…yet Capone did live here twice during his criminal career.

As a young man he married Mae Coughlin and had a son, Albert Francis Capone. In a short-lived attempt to get away from his gangster life in Chicago, Capone moved his family to Baltimore and became the bookkeeper at a construction firm. Before long, though, one of his crime mentors offered him a job managing brothels, and Capone moved back to Chicago.

Capone made hundreds of millions of dollars on alcohol and prostitution during Prohibition, but was never convicted of any of the many crimes he committed. When he was finally sent to prison in 1932 it was because of simple tax evasion. At first he was able to bribe guards for special treatment, but a move to Alcatraz where he was cut off from his friends and power put an end to his reign. Capone slowly deteriorated and was diagnosed with dementia.

Back in Baltimore again, he spent several years in the Baltimore State Mental Institution before his release in 1945; he died two years later.

During those last years, there was a time when Capone lived at a home on Pimlico Rd. with Maishe Katz. Mr. Katz was his personal bodyguard while waiting to be called as a witness. Capone had purchased his own kitchen equipment..according to my seller at 6211 Park Heights Avenue

My seller's family thought having the stove was a good conversation starter and purchased it many years ago. Happens to be in good condition since it was only used for a few short months.

Capone was a larger-than-life figure, and his connection, even though small, is an interesting bit of history that adds to the attraction of this amazing property.

Baltimore City's Million Dollar Mansion...6211 Park Heights Ave 21215 Make Me an Offer!