Planned hotel may have highest rates in Baltimore

  A development group plans to build a boutique hotel in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood that could become the city's priciest hotel.

 

   The Baltimore Sun reports Mt. Vernon Mansion LLC plans to build the $16 million project called The Ivy at the former Inn at Government House. The city operated the three-building complex as an inn for more than 20 years. It has since closed.

 

   The group bought the property in June for $750,000. They plan to make upgrades, adding a restaurant, bar, private garden and meeting space. It would have 18 high-end guest rooms ranging from $350 to $1,500 a night. 

 

   Skeptics say the property may be planning to charge too much. It's within blocks of a jail, homeless shelter and soup kitchen.

 

   Neighborhood leaders support the project.