The Yorktowne Hotel renovations are beginning to shine on the exterior as the Graham Rooftop Lounge takes shape overlooking the city from a lofty top floor. Facade work should soon begin along East Market Street.
Over the past couple of weeks, a patio paver system that is raised off the roof was completed. That will serve as the exterior flooring for the rooftop lounge, according to Kim Hogeman, director of strategic development for the York County Industrial Development Authority.
An existing rooftop structure has been expanded with the brickwork, blending new and old. Elevator service will reach the roof for the first time as well as new stair access. When completed, the rooftop events venue will have a capacity of 150 people outside and 50 inside, Hogeman said.
Back down on the first floor, the ballroom ceiling renovation is almost complete. Scaffolding, which was in place for months to access the ceiling, will be removed and work can begin removing paint on the glass of the large ballroom windows and restoring them, Hogeman added.
Recently, a worker was busy polishing pieces of the iconic Cutler brass mail chute system before they are re-installed in the renovation. The system of brass slots and brass-framed glass chutes allowed mail deposited from the guest floors above to be collected in the lobby of the Yorktowne.
The restoration process has been exhaustive. Historic details must be approved by the National Park Service and also by Hilton. “Each section that has an ornate feature, we do a test section to make sure everyone loves it, then we keep going. That way we don’t have to go back and redo everything,” Hogeman said.
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The next major visual changes the public will see is the restoration of the street facades on East Market Street and South Duke Street. Storefront French doors with sidelights will replace the walled-in doorways along the street. Hogeman described that the bump outs on East Market and South Duke will be removed to be replaced with the same door treatment. The stripped marquee will be restored.
According to Hogeman, most of the pieces for completion are in place for the exterior work, and the construction crew is waiting for stone trim to arrive before work can begin.
The facade for the new main entrance to the rear of the hotel should also start taking shape.
Hogeman said the entire project will be completed by this fall. “I’m confident. I’ve set my line in the sand.” Her expectations have a personal interest as she has booked her own wedding at the hotel in October. “And I’m not going to have my wedding in the parking lot.”