Project Description
FROM THE AIA MARYLAND
The historic Mercantile Trust and Deposit Co. building in downtown Baltimore has been transformed, representing a modern twist on Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The new design incorporates many of the building’s existing historic architectural elements including the intricately carved coffered ceiling and Corinthian columns. While most present day theaters have a horizontal focus as seats radiate away from the stage, the design for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater was to take advantage of the height of the former bank interior. The audience surrounds three-quarters of the stage and occupies a very vertical space with two different mezzanine levels.