Brad Jones of Harristown Development and Steve Lindsey of Garden Spot Communities, surrounded by area officials, cut the ribbon on the Exchange.
Harrisburg’s effort to create a living downtown took a step forward on Friday, with the official opening of an “active adult” community.
New Holland-based Garden Spot Communities cut the ribbon on the Exchange, a 39-unit apartment building located at 112 Market St., a long-time office building before the recent residential conversion.
“It’s with deep humility and great excitement that Garden Spot Communities becomes the newest steward of this historic place,” said Steve Lindsey, the company’s CEO. “The Exchange building will open its doors as a vibrant 55-plus community, a place where people in a rich season of life will live, connect and contribute to the heartbeat of downtown Harrisburg.”
In a brief speech, Lindsey mentioned that the eight-story building was the original home of the Harrisburg Board of Trade and the place where, in 1900, Mira Lloyd Dock appealed to city leaders to embrace the “City Beautiful” movement for civic improvement.
“Garden Spot Communities is honored to become a part of the Harrisburg story,” he said.
The Exchange, a $10 million office-to-residential conversion, consists of one- and two-bedroom market-rate apartments in the 50,000-square-foot building, a community designed for independent living for older adults.
“Our friends at Garden Spot have been fantastic partners,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Development, which led the construction project along with Select Capital Commercial Properties. “We’re so lucky to be working with them, so grateful for their partnership.”
At the ribbon cutting, Lindsey and Jones were joined by local officials, several of whom mentioned that the project fits in with the ongoing effort to transform downtown from primarily an office district to a mixed-use neighborhood with more residential space.
“We’re seeing a shift from a place focused around workers to one that revolves around residents and citizens and visitors alike,” said Ryan Unger, the president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.
The Exchange is located at 112 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://theexchangeharrisburg.org.
