The Block 100 Foundation is quietly moving ahead with redevelopment of the 100 block of State Street. The developers, Overture benefactors Jerome Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland, are renovating three buildings on the block and building a new office and retail structure.
The $11.5 million project originally called for the demolition of several buildings, including two historic landmarks: the Castle & Doyle Building, 125 State St., and the Schubert Building, 120 W. Mifflin St. Facing strong community opposition, the developers revised the plans, saving both landmarks, along with the Fairchild/Stark Building, at the corner of Fairchild and Mifflin streets.
The developers are starting with renovation of the Schubert and Stark/Fairchild buildings.
George Austin, the project manager, says the developers are waiting until after the holidays to demolish buildings on State and Fairchild streets.
Stu Levitan, chairman of the Landmarks Commission and a critic of the earlier proposal, now praises the plans and execution. In an email, Levitan writes that waiting until after the holidays to do major demolition "shows they are being really good neighbors, which is greatly appreciated."
The project, which will include 51,500 square feet of office and retail space, is expected to be finished in spring 2014.
