One downtown restoration has led to another, as the AFL-CIO of Pennsylvania has bought and is rehabilitating the long-underused Gannett Fleming Building.
Last month, the labor group purchased the five-story, Gothic revival building at 600 N. 2nd St. for its new headquarters, said spokesman Jim Deegan.
Restoration of the circa-1926 building designed by renowned architect Clayton Lappley, began immediately. Deegan said the AFL-CIO expects to move into the building by year-end.
The organization paid $1.29 million for the property, a price that included a parking lot across the alley at 518 N. 2nd St. and another lot in back of building at 609 Cedar St.
The AFL-CIO had to move after it sold its two downtown buildings to developer Brickbox Enterprises.
On Aug. 30, Dan Deitchman, president of Brickbox, closed on the historic Barto Building at State and N. 3rd streets, buying it from the AFL-CIO for $850,000. On the same day, he closed on the 10,200-square-foot Seel Building at 319 Market St., paying $437,500. Deitch-man plans to convert the eight-story Barto Building, originally constructed in 1911 as Masonic Temple, into 50 in 1911 as a Masonic Temple, into 50 one-and two-bedroom condominiums. Work will include restoring the ums. Work will include restoring the historic nature of dilapidated building and converting the ground floor into restaurant and retail space.
The Seel Building is expected to become student housing for Harrisburg University.
Derek Dilks, a Brickbox vice president, said that planning now is underway for the restoration of both buildings. He could not give a firm date when actual construction work would begin.
