Severn Square Apartments in Baltimore: Waterfront Access Near Federal Hill

Severn Square Apartments is a mid-rise residential building in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood, offering 150 units across studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans with water views and direct access to the neighborhood's restaurant and retail corridor.

What Severn Square Apartments actually is

Located at 1 Severn Square, steps from the Inner Harbor's promenade and Federal Hill Park, this building serves renters seeking walkable urban living without the premium pricing of properties directly on the water. The complex includes both market-rate and income-restricted units, making it one of the few mid-sized buildings in the neighborhood to offer affordability tiers. Units range from 450 square feet (studios) to 900 square feet (two-bedrooms), with floor-to-ceiling windows standard across most units. The building sits directly adjacent to Canton, putting renters within a five-minute walk of Federal Hill's main commercial stretch along Light Street.

Floor plans and pricing

Studio apartments range from $1,200 to $1,450 per month. One-bedroom units rent for $1,500 to $2,000, and two-bedroom units start at $2,000 and reach $2,600 depending on floor and view. Income-restricted units (restricted to households earning 60 percent of area median income) rent at approximately 30 percent below market rate; eligibility is determined at application. All units include wall-to-wall carpeting or hard flooring, kitchens with stainless steel appliances, and in-unit washers and dryers. Parking is available in an attached garage for $150 to $175 per month; street parking is not guaranteed. Most leases require first month, last month, and a security deposit equal to one month's rent. The application fee is $45 per adult household member. Confirm current pricing with the leasing office, as rental rates in Federal Hill fluctuate seasonally.

How Severn Square compares to other Federal Hill rentals

Severn Square's primary advantage is income-restricted availability, a feature absent from most Federal Hill buildings. The Fitzgerald at 1000 Lancaster Street, a luxury high-rise three blocks north, starts at $1,900 for a one-bedroom but includes a fitness center, rooftop terrace, and concierge services; it has no affordability component. Otterbein on the south side of Federal Hill offers similar square footage at comparable prices but with less direct harbor access and no in-unit laundry in older units. Choose Severn Square if walkability to Light Street restaurants matters more than premium amenities; choose The Fitzgerald if you prioritize on-site fitness facilities and 24-hour services. For renters with income caps, Severn Square is often the only option in Federal Hill proper.

Who it suits and who it should not

Severn Square works well for professionals in their late 20s to early 40s, graduate students, and dual-income households without children who want proximity to nightlife and dining without crossing into Canton or Fells Point. The building's location on a main pedestrian thoroughfare makes it ideal for car-light living. It does not suit families seeking large layouts (two-bedrooms max at 900 square feet) or renters who need ground-floor units with outdoor space. The neighborhood's noise level, especially Thursday through Saturday nights, rules it out for light sleepers.

The application and move-in process

Applications are submitted in person at the leasing office (1 Severn Square, ground floor) or online through the building's website. The office processes applications within 3 to 5 business days and verifies income, employment (typically requiring two recent pay stubs), and rental history. A guarantor is required if your income is below 2.5 times the monthly rent. Once approved, you sign a lease (typically 12 months) and schedule a move-in inspection with the landlord's representative. Utilities are tenant-paid; the building itself covers trash, water, and common area maintenance. Pet policy allows one pet per unit with a $300 deposit and $25 monthly pet rent (cats and dogs only; no reptiles or exotic animals).

Hours, parking, and logistics

The leasing office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. Parking in the attached garage is first-come, first-served among assigned spaces; waiting lists for garage spots can run 2 to 3 months. Street parking on Severn Square and Light Street is metered Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., at $2 per hour. The building is two blocks from the Light Rail's Ritchie Harris Station, and the Harbor East commuter bus line stops one block away.

Severn Square fills a narrow niche: waterfront adjacency and Federal Hill's social density at working-class and middle-income rents, made possible by its mixed-income structure. For renters unable to afford Canton's market rates but unwilling to move to neighborhoods farther from downtown, it remains one of Baltimore's more practical harbor-area options.