A vacant historic building in southwest Baltimore is slated to reopen in December, in what is a big step for its developer and a sign of increasing private investment in the area.

Cross Street Partners, co-founded by storied Baltimore developer Bill Struever after his previous firm went bankrupt, closed on the financing and started construction at the Lion Brothers Building at 875 Hollins Street last month.

Though Cross Street has served as a consultant and manager for numerous properties around the city, this is the first project in which the firm is both owner and developer to start construction.

"It's a big deal for us," the firm's development director, John Renner, said in an interview before the firm's groundbreaking celebration Wednesday, which sent music into nearby streets.

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