Built in 1911, Pemco International Corporation manufactured an array of porcelain and ceramics products at their 20-acre plant in East Baltimore.

The Pemco plant had a long history of environmental violations including the dumping of lead and arsenic that seeped into the soil and groundwater. The site was abandoned by Pemco International in 2006 to move south towards the company’s industrial customer base. Warehouses on site were nearly full of ceramic mixing and manufacturing products left behind. The site was prone to vandalism, vagrants and arson fires.

In March 2018, MCB Real Estate started the demolition of the former Pemco International campus to make way for Yard 56 a mixed-use development project. On May 16, 2018, as demolition continued, MCB Real Estate along with community leaders, elected officials and citizens broke ground on what was to become 100,000 sf of retail, 85,000 sf office, as well as residential and hospitality uses.

Artifacts from the original manufacturing plant were reproposed to pay homage to the origination of the site. Pictured is an 8’ tall gear box used to help produce porcelain and glass products.