Baltimore's Inner Harbor expansion resulted in a tourism surge that has reached 14 million visitors a year. The Charles Street area is experiencing a renaissance in all types of business and commercial redevelopment as a result of this increase. With relatively low property prices, potential for land appreciation and proximity to Downtown Baltimore, Charles Street's continued growth is inevitable. Undeveloped and underdeveloped land is also available in the area, as are a number of unoccupied buildings, ideal for renovations that would qualify for historic tax credits.

Charles Street is the city's east/west division, carries 12,000 cars a day, and provides commuter access to I-83, the main northbound transportation route out of Downtown Baltimore to beyond the state line. The major transportation access from the south is the Baltimore Washington Parkway (I-295) and I-95. Mulberry Street (Route 40) is the eastbound commuter route and Franklin Street (Route 40) is the major westbound commuter route. One block west of Charles Street, Cathedral Street serves as primary access from the north to the Baltimore Convention Center, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the new PSI-NET Football Stadium and the Baltimore Arena. And one block east of Charles Street, St. Paul Street serves as the primary access from the north to Baltimore's Inner Harbor.