Welcome to The Packing House

Where history, community, and innovation meet.

 

ABOUT US

The Packing House is more than just a building—it’s a story of resilience, renewal, and possibility.

Located in Cambridge, Maryland, The Packing House was originally built in 1920 as part of the Phillips Packing Company. The company was the region’s largest employer and an economic driver, playing a vital role in the industrial and cultural history of the Chesapeake.

Today, this historic structure has been restored into a vibrant destination where people can:

  • Work in modern coworking and private office spaces.

  • Dine and discover unique flavors at Four Eleven Kitchen and other food-based businesses.

  • Gather for events, markets, and celebrations.

  • Learn through heritage exhibits and community storytelling.

The Packing House honors the past while creating opportunities for the future.

Tenants Include:

events @
the Packing House

Gather. Celebrate. Connect.

The Packing House is more than a historic building — it’s a community hub designed to bring people together. Our event spaces combine industrial charm with modern comfort, creating the perfect backdrop for everything from business gatherings to private celebrations.

 

the atrium

  • Capacity: up to 530 guests (standing) / 250 guests banquet-style

  • The Atrium is the centerpiece of The Packing House — a light-filled, open space that showcases the building’s historic character while offering a fresh, modern feel. With exposed brick, soaring windows, and flexible layouts, it’s ideal for:

  • Community celebrations & cultural events

  • Weddings

  • Cocktail receptions & private parties

  • Vendor markets & showcases

  • Networking events & fundraisers

With the ability to host both large receptions and elegant seated dinners, the Atrium is one of the most versatile venues on the Eastern Shore.

Why Host Here?

  • Unique historic-industrial backdrop

  • Central Cambridge location with parking

  • Flexible layouts to fit your vision

  • Supportive team to help bring your event to life

the merge lounge

  • Capacity: up to 100 guests
    A warm, inviting space designed for comfort and connection. The MERGE Lounge blends modern lounge furniture with historic architecture, creating a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for:

  • Intimate gatherings & small parties

  • Book clubs & creative workshops

  • Business mixers & after-hours socials

  • Coffeehouse-style performances or talks

 

Plan Your Event

Ready to host your next event in the Atrium, the MERGE Lounge, or Four Eleven Kitchen?
👉 For wedding inquiries, email Angie Smythe at angie@eventfullyyoursmd.com

👉 For all other event inquiries, email thepackinghouse@crossstpartners.com

Let’s make your event unforgettable at The Packing House.

other spaces available?

  • Conference Rooms
    Professional, private rooms designed for trainings, retreats, and business meetings.

  • Outdoor Courtyard
    A flexible open-air space, perfect for festivals, food trucks, and community events.

  • Four Eleven Kitchen
    Conveniently located on the property, this state-of-the-art commercial kitchen is available for private bookings. It’s an ideal venue for:

    • Pop-up restaurants and
      chef-led dinners

    • Cooking demonstrations
      and classes

    • Tastings, pairings, and intimate culinary events

 
 
 
 
 
 

a place where ideas and people come together.

MERGE offers a welcoming environment that supports creativity, growth, and entrepreneurship. It’s a flexible workspace designed for those who value focus with the option to connect.

Our shared offices, conference rooms, and comfortable common areas give you space to work independently or collaborate when inspiration strikes. At MERGE, we believe the best ideas often come from simple conversations and shared experiences.

Whether you’re starting something new or growing an existing venture, MERGE provides the tools and community to help move your ideas forward.

 
 

LEASING

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

The Packing House, a 60,000-square-foot historic landmark transformed into a thriving hub for business, creativity, and community. Formerly home to the Phillips Packing Company, this reimagined industrial space offers a unique leasing opportunity for businesses looking to establish themselves in a high-visibility, high-growth location.

Strategically positioned in Cambridge, MD, The Packing House bridges the city’s growing downtown revitalization and key transit routes to Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia beaches. Its historic manufacturing aesthetic—featuring soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and open floor plans—blends industrial charm with modern amenities, creating an inspiring environment for businesses to thrive.

Adjacent to the Cannery Park, The Packing House provides an unmatched setting with direct access to a beautifully designed public space, perfect for outdoor activities, events, and recreation.

 
 

OFFICE

Already home to several businesses, The Packing House  is one of Cambridge’s most unique office leasing opportunities. It’s a great fit for companies looking for flexible workspace, modern amenities, and a setting that blends historic character with updated finishes.

RETAIL

Retailers at The Packing House can take full advantage of open floor plans, soaring ceilings, oversized industrial windows, and exposed brick walls—creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that blends historic charm with modern style. It’s a retail space unlike anything else on the Eastern Shore.

FOOD SERVICES

The Packing House has long-standing roots in Dorchester County’s agriculture and food industries—and that legacy continues today. This is a rare opportunity to launch the next culinary destination in Cambridge, in a space that honors the past while embracing the future.

Transformation

The Vision

Cross Street Partners is re-purposing the historic Phillips Packing Company, Factory F (The Packing House) in Cambridge, MD. Building on the Eastern Shore’s deep tradition of agricultural and fishing assets, the 60,000 square foot historic Phillips Packing House Building is designed to support and grow regional economic opportunities connected to agriculture, aquaculture, environmental technologies, and tourism. The Packing House houses a synergistic mix of tech and creative entrepreneurs, food production and food related retail/eateries as well as a 2-story,  light-filled open atrium space for continuous public programs and private events.

The building features an open floor plan, soaring ceilings, and the opportunity to retain many historic architectural features that enhances the space with an authentic, Eastern Shore manufacturing aesthetic. Adjacent to the Phillips Building is the future site of Cannery Park, a new ‘central park’ for the City of Cambridge that incorporates active and passive spaces for recreation. The Packing House serves as a connection between the growing downtown revitalization in Cambridge and the nearby highway route taking people to the Maryland and Virginia beaches. The commercialization, research, production, and active retail uses support local employment and inform nutrition and public health programming on the Eastern Shore.

Redeveloping this historically significant building as an entrepreneurial engine for the Cambridge community in a manner that celebrates Cambridge’s unique heritage preserves the legacy of the Phillips Packing Company. It is the last remaining factory from the Phillips Company’s empire of vegetable and food packing businesses, which once employed thousands of people in Cambridge. The company closed in the 1960’s, and the building has been deteriorating for decades.

 

legacy

History

Originally built in 1920 for the Cambridge Furniture Company, The Packing House stands as the last remaining factory from the Phillips Packing Company’s empire of vegetable and food packing businesses. 

The Phillips Packing Company employed thousands of people in Cambridge and was responsible for supplying K and C rations to US troops during World War II. The company closed in the 1960’s, and the building has been deteriorating since. 

Redeveloping this historically significant building in a manner that celebrates it distinctive heritage will honor and preserve the legacy of the Phillips Packing Company in Cambridge. 

Unpacking Cambridge: A Story of Rebirth and Reconciliation

Unpacking Cambridge is the story of a rural city’s rebirth and reconciliation from a boomtown that went bust. In its heyday, Cambridge’s Philips Packing House was the engine that drove the economic and social fabric on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. 
This documentary pulls back the layers of history to reveal the new opportunities and hope that are rising from the ashes of the
once-shuttered Packing House. 

 

FOUR ELEVEN KITCHEN

Providing pathways that will empower, elevate, and establish your food business.

Whether it’s equipment rental, storage access, or spotlights in our virtual community, every service we offer is designed to meet the unique needs of emerging and established food professionals. From flexible hours to dedicated workshops, we empower our members to succeed while enriching the local culinary landscape with diverse flavors and experiences.

Four Eleven Kitchen, a cornerstone for food entrepreneurs in Dorchester County, offering the only shared-use commercial kitchen in the area. Designed for caterers, restaurant owners, food truck operators, and culinary professionals, our facility provides essential tools and resources needed to succeed in the competitive food industry. With a fully licensed kitchen, commercial-grade equipment, and a variety of flexible plans, we support food entrepreneurs of all levels with the infrastructure to prepare, test, and grow their culinary creations. Areas covered include Dorchester County and beyond, with 24/7 access for members and valuable networking opportunities in our vibrant community.

Contact

GET IN TOUCH

411A Dorchester Avenue
Cambridge, MD 21613

Looking for space in the heart of Cambridge? Or perhaps you’d like to hold your next event in our amazing Atrium space.
Fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.