Tracy Manor is a vacant mansion located in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Front Street between McClay Street and Forster Street. Though there have been several uses for the mansion over the years, currently, it is being renovated for the mansion’s next phase of life. Though the renovations, to be performed by Susquehanna Real Estate, were first approved in 2007, little had been done to get Tracy Manor ready for the next phase until recently.
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Tracy Manor began life as a home. In the 1910s, despite the delays brought on by World War I, the home was designed and built for David Tracy. The mansion was used as a private home until the 1950s, when it was renovated into a hospital. In the 1970s, Goodwill Industries took over and remodeled the hospital into a facility for individuals with mental health issues. After the mental health facility was abandoned, the property became vacant until being purchased in 2005 by Susquehanna Real Estate.
Now, the building will have a new lease on life. Susquehanna Real Estate envisions a two- part renovation for the mansion. The first step is to turn the original mansion into a space for a restaurant and offices. The office space will be rented out in chunks. Currently, the inside of the mansion is being worked on so that the offices and restaurant can go in first. This will require significant upgrades and interior demolition. However, the developer has already lined up the restaurant that will take over a large portion of the first floor. Char’s Bella Mundo, which was forced to close after the former location of the restaurant was flooded in September of 2011, will be moving to the newly renovated building. There is no definitive plans for a carriage house that is located next to the home, though it is expected that it will also be renovated for business purposes.
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The second part of the project will be the one that is most interesting to residents. Next to the newly renovated office space and restaurant will be a brand new building. This building will contain condominiums in various sizes. There will be 32 units all together ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Prices start at around $350,000 for those who purchase before construction has begun. Some of the units have been reserved, though some buyers have backed out after making reservations in previous years. It is expected that these condos will be high-end.