Under Armour is "imitating the West Coast tech giants in at least one way -- hiring a world-renowned 'starchitect' for its new campus" in Baltimore, according to Natalie Sherman of the Baltimore SUN. The company "brought on Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the architecture firm behind the sleek glass Apple Stores" in N.Y., London and elsewhere, to "do the master plan for its new campus in South Baltimore." Sagamore Development President Marc Weller, whose company is owned by UA Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank, said that the teams "aren't ready to present a grand vision yet." But the selection of BCJ for the UA portion "may provide a clue to what Plank hopes to achieve." BCJ is "one of two architecture firms plotting the future of Plank's holdings," as Sagamore also hired Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects to "craft a master plan for a mixed-use development." The firm's work "includes the Las Vegas City
Hall and projects in Boston's Seaport District." Weller said that the teams have "been looking around the world for inspiration for what they will build in Baltimore." Weller: "We are trying to get our ideas developed, really understand the project's transportation solutions and compose a street grid that will enable an amazing project. It's premature to comment or speculate on design, but however the design ends up, it will be world-class" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/7).
