Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower

The Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower is a 289-foot (88-meter) Renaissance Revival structure with four massive clock faces that display the letters BROMO-SELTZER instead of numerals at each side. The building features working clock mechanisms and houses a glass museum on the 15th floor.

Built in 1911 under the commission of Isaac Edward Emerson, the tower held the title of Baltimore's tallest building until the 1930s when newer skyscrapers were constructed. The structure represented industrial progress and commercial success during the city's growth period.

Artist studios now occupy the building, where local creators work and display their pieces. These creative spaces have given the landmark a living presence within the city's art community.

Visitors can tour the clock room and explore the glass museum on the 15th floor to learn about the building's mechanisms and product history. The tower is easily accessible on foot from downtown and offers viewing opportunities from the upper levels.

Originally, a rotating 51-foot (15.5-meter) blue bottle crowned the tower's peak, illuminated by 314 lights and visible for miles across Baltimore harbor. This glowing landmark served as a bold advertisement for the Bromo-Seltzer brand throughout the city.

Location: Maryland

Inception: 1911

Architects: Joseph Evans Sperry

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 15

Website: http://bromoseltzertower.com

GPS coordinates: 39.28750,-76.62080

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27