NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
MAGNIFICENT NEW MILESTONE INN BED & BREAKFAST ADDS TO CITY TOURISM EFFORTSMayor Stephen R. Reed today cut the ribbon to officially open the magnificent new Milestone Inn On The River, Harrisburg’s first major bed and breakfast attraction that offers luxury lodging in an historic waterfront location. The distinctive new respite is located in the former Baker Mansion at 2701 N. Front Street, and is now available for nightly stays or events such as weddings, banquets and other special occasions. Reed said the new Milestone Inn On The River is owned and operated by Robin Clemens and Sean Adams, who have spent the past 22 months rehabilitating the historic Front Street mansion that most recently served as the headquarters for the United Way of the Capital Region. Clemens and Adams were assisted in their efforts by a $75,000 loan from the City’s Business Revolving Loan Program, and the city also partnered with the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation in garnering an additional $125,000 in rehabilitation funds, which augmented the owners’ substantial private investment, including the mansion’s $630,000 purchase price. The Mayor said the first floor of the restored 8,400 sq. ft. building serves as an event center with a banquet room, high-tech multi-media library/conference room, piano room and full-service catering kitchen. On the second floor, there are four large guest rooms with modern, private baths. The third floor is the owners’ personal residence. An expansive garden and lawn area is also available for outdoor events along the waterfront. The Inn additionally provides breakfasts for each overnight guest, with lunch and dinner catering provided by Stocks on Second Street. Six new full and part time positions are created by the Inn’s opening, and additional employment benefits extend to the local caterer and other city-based service providers. “The Milestone Inn On The River” is truly a milestone in Harrisburg’s ongoing tourism development efforts,” said Mayor Reed, “and reflects the enlightened adaptation of an historic structure into contemporary reuse. This project serves as a model for the coherent blending of tourism and heritage preservation along our waterfront, and we believe it will be very successful.” Reed said the historic mansion was built in 1925 by prominent city attorney Ralph J. Baker, whose family occupied the 20th Century Tudor-Revival style structure until the early 1930’s. The nationally renowned Philadelphia architecture firm of Mellor, Meigs and Howe designed the building, which represents the firm’s only commission in the Harrisburg area and is one of the few remaining examples of the early 20th Century residential architecture that once defined Front Street along Riverfront Park. The property has had several owners, including Harrisburg’s famed Kunkel family, and for a time was the private residence of Congressman John C. Kunkel. Following the Kunkel family, the United Way of the Capital Region occupied the building and converted its use into office space. In 2000, a fire destroyed a detached office structure, and when the United Way filed a demolition permit to build new offices, local residents and historic preservation group opposed the plan and rallied to preserve the mansion. The Milestone Inn On The River offers both overnight and extended stay lodging opportunities with highly-personalized service. Rates range from $189 to $229 and include a four-course breakfast. Guests may also order lunch and dinner meals off of Stocks on Second’s menu, which are then delivered to the mansion. The Inn is already extensively booked for weddings, retirement fetes, and birthday celebrations, as well as other small to medium gatherings. An expansive greenspace along Front Street with outstanding waterfront views can be used seasonally for outdoor functions, and plenty of parking is available. The Milestone Inn On The River can be contacted at (717)233.2775, or visit their website at www.Milestone.com |
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