It was an ordinary day. October 24, 2016 and I had just posted a story about The Hoar House which was the restaurant at the time at The Stevens House in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The original Stevens House |
Thaddeus Stevens |
The hotel was named in honor of Thaddeus Stevens who was a member of the United States House of Representative from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and one of the leaders of the Republican Party during the 1860s. When the hotel was first built, both King and Prince Streets were dirt roads. The original building, with all its angles and pop-outs survived until 1963-64. Many liked the "widow's peak" kind of look and the caps at the tops of the built-out sections. The hotel was demolished to make way for a new, taller and more modern biding. The new Stevens House opened in 1965 with a price of $1.2 million. Then last year the second Stevens House was acquired by Daniel Berger who paid $8.65 million for the hotel to turn it into long-term condominiums.
The original Stevens House Dining Room |
The new owner now calls the building 10 Prince Apartments. Each of the 76 units will have a new look with a new heating and cooling system and new appliances through a complete renovation over the next 3 or so years. The nine-story building will also have a new fitness center and lounge.
Another look at the original Stevens House |
The vacant restaurant is also going to open once it has a new owner and liquor license. There are also 14 commercial spaces available. The new condos have laminate flooring with ceramic tile and carpet instead of vinyl floors. Walls are now gray instead of white. The original Stevens House will have a totally new look and name, but to me it will still be The Stevens House. Check out the photographs and see what you think from the original building to the new and improved building. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
Another look at the original Stevens House |
Renovations and painting have been done in this photo. |
The new 10 Prince Apartments |
Final two photos show the new 10 Prince Apartments |
Thank you so much for this! I so wanted to learn more after reading about Stevens House in the 1950 Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Famous Eating Places; they say "The main dining room is a replica of Old London's Strand"!
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