And while the 1.2-million-sf center is surrounded by a slew oflodging options--such as the 337-room Sheraton Inner Harbor Hoteland the 486-room Hyatt Regency Baltimore--it is lacking aheadquarters hotel. The project, designed by RTKL Associates Inc.,is being financed through tax-exempt bonds.

Attaining the thumbs up from the Design Advisory Panel was noeasy feat. Panel members had concerns about, among other things,the bridge that will adjoin the convention center to the Hilton andspace for a possible high-speed train station below the hotel. Whenall is said and done, the property will have about 62,000 sf ofmeeting and event space, a 1,000-car underground parking facility,as well as ground-level retail space.

While the panel's approval is a big step, there are still hoopsto be jumped through before further progress can be made; namely,specific architectural details and costs have to be approved.However, if all goes as planned, RLJ and Quadrangle will breakground on the project within a year and wrap up construction in thespring of 2007.