PROJECT  Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center

LOCATION  Baltimore, Maryland, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  2/23/2026

Firm(s): GWWO Architects 

Design Team Members: Alan Reed, FAIA, LEED AP; John Gregg, AIA, VMA, LEED AP; Matthew Ames, AIA; Lisa Andrews, AIA, LEED AP; Chris Elcock, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP; Anthony McAllister; Nia Young; Joe Bowman, AIA; Daniel King; Michael Ge; Hanu Madireddy; Leslie Giron; and Joshua Miller

Client: Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks
Contractor/Construction Manager: CAM Construction

Landscape Architect: Mahan Rykiel Associates

Structural Engineer: Albrecht Engineering

Civil Engineer: MK Consulting Engineers

Mechanical Engineer: MIN Engineering

Electrical Engineer: MIN Engineering

Photographer(s): Tom Holdsworth
Additional project support: Cost Estimator: MK Consulting Engineers, The Star Building, 1801 Porter Street, Suite 401, Baltimore, MD 21230; George Bakalyar, gbakalyar@mkceng.com, 667.309.6193
Aquatic Design: Aquatic Design Group, 1875 K Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20006; Justin Caron, jcaron@aquaticdesigngroup.com; 800.938.0542
Geotechnical Engineer & Inspector Services: AB Consultants, 9450 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, MD 20706; Kim-Hou Chan, PE, Kim.Chan@abconsultantsinc.com, 301.306.3091
Environmental Engineer: Robert B. Balter Company, 18 Music Fair Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117; Kristopher Crist, PG, PE, KCrist@balterco.com, 410.363.1555
Hazardous Materials: Aria Environmental, P.O. Box 286, Woodbine, MD 21797; Brian Sciorilli, bsciorilli@ariaenviro.com, 410.549.5774
Historians: Jacob Bustad, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Towson University, Towson, MD & Samuel Clevenger, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Towson University, Towson MD
Muralist: Shawn James, Mural Masters, Inc., 2011 East 32nd Street, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21218; muralmastersinc@gmail.com, 443.520.2797

PROJECT SUMMARY

In 1947, the first recreation center and pool built for and by African Americans in Baltimore City opened and was named after the jazz drummer and bandleader William Henry “Chick” Webb, who grew up in East Baltimore. Through this renovation and addition, a reimagined Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center tells the remarkable story of Chick Webb and the founding community members to future generations via interpretive opportunities throughout the building and site.

The new two-story addition is a “riff” on the architecture of the existing historic structure and a nod to the building’s legacy of jazz and Chick Webb. Modern limestone panels and fenestration complement and reflect the rhythm of the historic façade while the patterning of the entry’s glazing, inspired by Webb’s colorful drum sets, is reminiscent of a musical scale. Exhibits throughout the center document Chick Webb’s life and influence from his early upbringing in Baltimore to his legacy as leader of one of the most dominant bands of the swing era. An exterior mural in the courtyard and decorative music-themed pathways and playground welcome guests to the center.

The center offers the East Baltimore community a state-of-the-art recreation and gathering space—including a new recording studio (the first for a Baltimore recreation center), gymnasium and multipurpose event space, indoor walking track, fitness area, studio with spinning equipment, teen lounge, classroom and maker space, and modernized indoor swimming pool with dedicated locker rooms—that will be a multi-generational hub for years to come. This project is one part of the East Baltimore revitalization effort, including new public, affordable and market rate housing, commercial retail, parks, and schools.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Entry & Plaza / Tom Holdsworth
2. Entry & Plaza / Tom Holdsworth
3. Lobby / Tom Holdsworth
4. Addition with view to Historic Rec Center / Tom Holdsworth
5. Play Area & Mural / Tom Holdsworth
6. Lobby / Tom Holdsworth
7. Gym & Walking Track / Tom Holdsworth
8. Aerial / Tom Holdsworth