A condominium and retail complex has been proposed at the main downtown intersection.

An application by D’Anastasio Corp. of Pennsauken to convert a furniture store at High and Broad streets is in the process of further review by the city land use board. The proposed development, to be called City Lofts, will also have to undergo a review by the local historic preservation board.

Last week the land use board granted a height variance from the maximum 35 feet to 50 feet to allow the addition of two stories to the building that houses Imhoff Clock Shop at 407 High St. The next step is site plan review.

John D’Anastasio, president of the development company, said his plan calls for 17 one- and two-bedroom condominiums on the second to fourth floors and retail shops at street level.

The corporation is also building 38 townhouses on Washington Street on the site of the former Gregory’s discount store that had been closed for years.

D’Anastasio said he found Burlington City attractive because of its location along the RiverLine light rail, its historic appeal and its location along the Delaware River.

“There is a lot of synergy going on downtown,” he said, referring to an infusion of new stores, businesses and housing in an economic revitalization effort in the more than 300-year-old city.

“Burlington has a wonderful downtown with a Main Street feel. Our site is smack in the middle of downtown with a light rail stop literally steps away and a river view a block or so away,” he said.

He said the exterior architecture of the lofts will complement the downtown architecture, especially that of adjacent properties on Broad Street.

The roof line of the lofts will be tiered and come to an apex at the corner.

Before the furniture store, a five-story opera house stood at that corner.

D’Anastasio projects the condos will cost between $175,000 and $250,000.

At a meeting Thursday night of Main Street Burlington - a nonprofit marketing and business revitalization group - the City Lofts project was praised.

Main Street Burlington board member David Parker said the City Lofts would be another spark to ignite the downtown.

Source: www.courierpostonline.com

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 28th, 2007 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Condo, Real Estate. Tags: Apex Broad Street Condo Delaware development Main Street Projects retail retail complex retail shops Washington Washington Street . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.