Elegant - and a Bit Artsy - Bolton Hill

This image captures a quintessential Bolton Hill street scene. Located in central Baltimore, Bolton Hill is known for its stately brick homes with exquisite architectural detailing inside and out.

Once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the future president Woodrow Wilson, Bolton Hill is primarily a residential neighborhood, though it does boast one of Baltimore's best restaurants, B. This bistro, which I haven't photographed yet, earns consistently high marks for a welcoming atmosphere and delicious, seasonal fare.

The neighborhood also offers a few surprises in the midst of the row homes, such as two 19th Century brick cottages, one of which is pictured here.

Small parks, such as the one in this photo, and landscaped boulevards elevate Bolton Hill from a neighborhood of pretty homes to a great place to live. The communal pumpkin gathering in this photo makes me think that despite the sophisticated architecture of their homes, the residents have a playful side.

Though primarily comprised of single family homes, Bolton Hill also offers apartments and condominium options. The Beethoven Apartments,  shown here, offers one and two-story apartments, complete with high ceilings and hardwood floors, just as you would expect from such a refined neighborhood.

No discussion of Bolton Hill is complete without mentioning MICA, the Maryland Institute College of Art, a fantastic institution that deserves its own post. MICA's students and graduates have infused all corners of Baltimore with artistic sensibilities, through their volunteer work, exhibits and shows, adaptive reuse of old buildings, business development and innovation. Nestled on the eastern boundary of Bolton Hill, the school's physical imprint has expanded in recent years, both on the edge of the neighborhood and in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District, which also deserves its own post.