Renovations at the Curtis Center to Begin This Spring

55 luxury apartments are coming to Washington Square in phase one.

The Curtis Center seen from the corner of  6th and Walnut. Image via Google Maps.

The Curtis Center seen from the corner of 6th and Walnut. Image via Google Maps.

Renovations at the historic Curtis Center will kick off this spring. According to The Inquirer, phase one will include the construction of 55 luxury apartments on the 6th Street and Walnut Street sides of the building–taking advantage of views overlooking Independence Hall and Washington Square.

Keystone Property Group and Mack-Cali Realty Corp. purchased the building, built by Cyrus Curtis in 1910, for $125M and Keystone’s development director Jennifer Cooperman seeks to “create a vibrant pedestrian experience” by shifting the property from office and event space to a mixed-use destination.

In an effort to make that happen, plans for the Curtis Center include a restaurant space on the corner of 6th and Walnut and also the addition of other amenities, such as a spa, coffee shop, gym and more other retail opportunities.

This isn’t the first rodeo for Keystone and Mack-Cali on 6th Street. You may remember that they’ve successfully transitioned the Rohm & Hass/Dow Chemical Building at 6th and Market Street into a destination. The Independence Beer Garden has been a hit and the partnership has recently the announced that La Colombe is coming this year.

The Inquirer also reports the atrium will get an overhaul–thanks to Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP– and also that The Dream Garden mosaic will remain in the lobby.

Curtis Center will be a ‘central hub’ for Washington Square [The Inquirer]