Philadelphia fixture finally getting a re-do

The Philadelphia Historical Commission has approved a redo of a long-vacant, landmark property on North Broad Street. 

The restoration of the Divine Lorraine Hotel, at the corner of Fairmount Ave and Broad Street, was approved by the city’s historical commission in a quick voice vote.

Architect William Alesker says the developers want to restore it to how it looked in 1933.

“So all the windows are restored, there’s very little to restore so they are  replaced in kind the masonary work is pointed and cleaned,” Alesker said.  “The roof is replaced simulating the copper roof that existed.”

He says it will not become a hotel again.  It will feature more than 100 apartments and some restaurants on the ground floor.

The $28 million project is expected to receive building permits within a week or so.   Redevelopment is expected to take18 months to complete.