Officials Declare 10-Story Glen Burnie Building Unsafe

Anne Arundel County officials provided an update Friday on the future of Empire Towers, a structurally compromised Glen Burnie building.

By Gaby Arancibia, Patch Staff

Jul 10, 2026 1:29 pm EDT

The Empire Towers building in Glen Burnie was declared unsafe after construction work compromised its structural integrity. (Google Maps)

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Empire Towers, a 10-story building in Glen Burnie, was officially declared unsafe on Friday after authorities encountered structural issues during earlier construction work.

A release issued by Anne Arundel County confirms the privately-owned building became compromised while work was being done to the underground parking garage.

The building was classified as "unsafe" by the chief building inspector with the Department of Inspections and Permits. No public entry is permitted at the grounds until further notice.

"Responsibility for correcting the structural integrity of the building and determining next steps rests with the building's owner and management company, who will need to retain a licensed structural engineering firm to evaluate the site," reads the release.

"Once a contractor is hired to begin remediation, county inspectors will conduct routine inspections during the construction phase to ensure permitted repair work complies with the approved plan and applicable building codes."

Nearby businesses have been notified of the latest determination.

Alarms Sounded

First responders were initially called to Empire Towers at 7310 Ritchie Highway on Thursday around 2:30 p.m. In the moments that followed, officials evacuated 100 people from the property after being alerted to the building's structural issues.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

The scene in Glen Burnie on Thursday when the Anne Arundel County Fire Department first arrived. (Courtesy Anne Arundel County Fire Department)

At the time, CBS Baltimore reported fire officials saying that the floor of the building had "partially shifted" during construction work.

Residents are urged to continue to stay away from the immediate scene.

Road Closures

Due to structural concerns and ongoing assessments, the Maryland State Highway Administration closed the northbound lanes of Crain Highway between 6th and 8th avenues. The southbound lanes between 8th and Virginia avenues were also shuttered.

Additionally, the Department of Public Works closed 6th Avenue NW between Ritchie Highway and Crain Highway.

Residents are urged to follow all posted detours.