The upper floors of these historic buildings would be converted from office to residential under a proposal by Harristown.
Strawberry Square took the first step in a new direction last night, as the city Planning Commission gave its blessing to a proposed conversion of office space to residential units at the intersection of 3rd and Market streets downtown.
The plan would create six two-bedroom and 16 one-bedroom units on two floors above a stretch of shops along 3rd Street between Strawberry and Market and along Market near the corner with 3rd.
Under the proposal, 21,000 square feet currently used as office space would be converted to residential apartments, along with 6,000 square feet of loft space.
If all goes according to plan, work on the project would begin this fall with completion slated for spring 2016, said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square.
City approval for the project was required almost as a technicality, as multi-family dwelling units are permitted by right in the downtown center zone. But the code requires a hearing on renovations exceeding 10,000 square feet and involving a change of use, city planners said.
The planning commission’s Vern McKissick noted that, in fact, the conversion would likely restore the property to a prior use, as the units above downtown shops were traditionally shop owners’ residences.
“It seems you’re actually going back to the past,” McKissick said.
Jones agreed, saying that several of the existing office units had fireplaces and natural light better suited to residential use. The plan would not alter the exterior of the buildings, he said.
Harristown’s project would be the latest to convert office to residential space downtown. Over the past year, WCI Partners, Brickbox Enterprises and Vartan Group all have created multi-family dwellings from timeworn downtown office buildings. In June, WCI will debut Walnut Court, a 21-unit apartment building that long housed a law firm at the corner of Walnut and Court streets.
Jones said that Harristown’s market research showed reduced demand for office space and increasing demand for residential units downtown. He also noted that additional parking would not be needed for any new residents, as the Strawberry Square complex has ample spaces available in its garage.
The working title for the apartments is “Flats at Strawberry Square,” Jones said. He said the new units are expected to rent for $800 to $1,300 per month.
