Harrisburg Area YMCA to Manage Fitness Center in Strawberry Square
Effective April 1, 2026, the Harrisburg Area YMCA has leased and will manage the former “Fit On Market” fitness facility at 312 Market Street in
Making Downtown Better
Everyday Since 1974
Making Downtown Better
Everyday Since 1974
About Harristown
Revitalizing Harrisburg for Over 50 Years
Since 1974, Harristown Development Corporation has been at the heart of downtown Harrisburg’s transformation. As a non-profit focused on real estate development, our mission is to breathe new life into the city, creating a vibrant community where people can live, work, and play.
Latest News
Making Harrisburg a better place to live, work and play
Walnut Street Commons Historic Preservation Complete
Renovations of two formerly blighted office buildings into four apartments at 104 and 106 Walnut Street are approaching completion and will be available for rent
The Plant Witch Opens Downtown Boutique Shop in Strawberry Square
The Plant Witch will open a unique boutique shop in Harrisburg’s downtown Strawberry Square complex, in the Shops on 3rd at 11 North 3rd Street.
Through The Years
Harristown’s restoration of downtown Harrisburg is changing the way people view and use the city.
Harristown has been a catalyst for Harrisburg’s remarkable transformation since its establishment. It has been involved with redevelopment projects worth over $500 million, contributing to the city’s economic and cultural renaissance. With a commitment to community development, Harristown has also contributed over $230 million in real estate taxes and currently oversees more than 2.5 million square feet of property. Harristown is truly shaping the heart of downtown into a thriving hub for all to enjoy!
The Exchange – 112 Market Street
The Veterans’ Building, home for many years to various county and private offices in the downtown, has been renovated by Garden Spot Communities (GSC), a new partner with Harristown and Select Capital Commercial Properties, into 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments for active adults, ages 55-plus. GSC has signed a master lease and oversees leasing of the units, many of which have spectacular views of the Susquehanna River and the city.
Denim Coffee @ The Menaker
As the newest and largest of Denim Coffee Company’s eight central Pennsylvania locations, this newly renovated space at 17 S. 2nd Street – in the first floor of the Menaker Apartments building – showcases a stage and a private meeting room, as well as an expanded breakfast food menu – in addition to their well-known, signature coffees and espressos.
Coronet Park
On the site of the former Coronet Restaurant at 21 S. 2nd Street, a long-time Harrisburg landmark which burned in the mid-1990’s, Harristown constructed a new and unique entertainment venue which will host a variety of music and other activities in downtown Harrisburg.
This 3,300 square-foot pocket park hosts free concerts and events in a pay-as-you-go pop-up format, which includes food trucks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage vendors and other specialty-themed events.
Walnut Street Commons
Two small, vacant and derelict former office buildings at 104-106 Walnut Street, across the street from the newly renovated McCormick Library, were purchased by Harristown and its partner in 2023 and converted into four two-to-three-bedroom apartments, full of historic charm plus upscale, modern amenities.
Walnut Street Commons was awarded Historic Harrisburg Association’s Preservation Award in 2026.
The Clockbox
A new open‑air conference and meeting space now occupies the former Chock‑o‑Block Clock site on Strawberry Square’s second floor. The first‑floor stage was also expanded with upgraded electronics to support more events. Through a five‑year sponsorship, both spaces were renamed the UPMC Stage at Strawberry Square and the UPMC ClockBox at Strawberry Square.
The Plum
Formerly the region’s flagship women’s fashion boutique for more than 50 years, The Plum building was purchased by Harristown Enterprises and its partner, Don Mowery, in 2021, and subsequently rehabilitated
into three residential units.
The Plum was awarded
Historic Harrisburg Association’s Preservation Award in 2022.
Menaker Building & Apartments
In 1974, Harristown oversaw the restoration of this historic six-floor office building.
Harristown and its investor partner later purchased this building in 2017, transforming it into 28 one and two-bedroom, upscale apartments.
The BenMar Apartments
Acquisition and conversion of two mostly vacant former office buildings in the 100 block of Pine Street into apartment units: 25 in a modern farmhouse style with first floor retail, and 49 in mid-century modern with an existing restaurant on the first floor.
The Fox on Washington
Conversion of the long-vacant former Santanna’s Seafood House in the Shipoke neighborhood into 8 art-deco style apartments.
The Bogg on Cranberry
Acquisition and rehabilitation of a vacant office building into 12 new apartments in a modern farmhouse style.
SoMa on Third
SoMa On Third is an acquisition and rehabilitation of 8 row buildings, converted into 20 new apartment units with first floor retail space. It includes stringing of decorative lights above the street to beautify and enhance the sense of community in this new neighborhood.
F@TT Fifteen @ Twenty-Two
Fifteen @Twenty-Two is a conversion of former office space into fifteen luxury apartment units with a first-floor restaurant space in a historic building on South 3rd Street.
The Flats at Strawberry Square
Harristown served as developer and manager for The Flats at Strawberry Square. The Flats at Strawberry Square is a conversion of former offices at 11 N 3rd Street to 24 upscale apartment units inside Strawberry Square with high end finishes.
Capital Area School for the Arts
Harristown served as the developer and owner and partnered with CAIU and Open Stage of Harrisburg in the development of Capital Area School for the Arts. Capital Area School of the Arts (or just CASA) is a 15,000 square foot space in Strawberry Square with specialized classrooms for the arts, including a dance floor, changing rooms, and music and theatre equipped spaces.
Messiah College Harrisburg Institute
Dewberry, L.L.C., an affiliate of Harristown, acquired this building in 2006. The building was renovated and leased to Messiah College, and now to Harrisburg University. The facility consists of furnished student housing for 25, a classroom, conference room, and offices. The building housed the McCreath Laboratories for 50 years. It was built in the 1890s and was originally a brewery.
Dewberry Streetscape
The streetscape improvements of Dewberry and Blackberry Streets include widening the west side sidewalk and reducing the width of the east sidewalk to make both safe for walking. Enhancements include brick and concrete sidewalk accentuated by historic street lights, new trees, granite curbs and bollards.
International House Harrisburg & Expansions in 2005 & 2011
Harristown partnered with the City of Harrisburg, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, PA Hardwood Development Council, Hardwood Product Companies and served as developer, owner and property manager. Completed in 3 phases, this vibrant international student/intern residential complex has over 50,000 sq ft of space, 160 beds in furnished units and multi-cultural lounges for events.
Shops on Third
Harristown served as developer and manager for this retail project. Dramatic lease hold improvements and the renovation of existing spaces for six new street level retailers on Third and Market Streets enhanced this street block.
Whitaker Center
The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is a unique complex containing a science center, a 200-seat digital theater and a 660-seat performing arts theater. Harristown served a role in site acquisition, project management and financial management.
Kunkel Building
An affiliate of Harristown acquired and renovated three floors of this historic, office building to create a new home for the Susquehanna Art Museum, as well as office spaces for arts organizations. The Susquehanna Art Museum has since moved, and the building was sold to another private developer who converted it to student housing for Harrisburg University.
Hilton Harrisburg
Harristown partnered with the City of Harrisburg, HUD, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, private investors and served as developer and owner of the 15-story, 341 room, 4 diamond, first-class Hilton Hotel until 2012. The hotel contains a lobby bar, casual and fine dining, 10,000-square-foot ballroom, swimming pool and fitness area.
Strawberry Square - Phase II
Historic preservation expansion of Strawberry Square, included 241,000 additional square feet of high-end office and retail space linked by glass skylights and paved walkways.
Aberdeen Mews
Rehabilitation of three-and four-story row buildings along 4th and Walnut Streets. 18 commercial offices, 30 residential units, and retail and restaurant space.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Harristown partnered with the City of Harrisburg, the Federal government and Capital Area Transit and served in pre-development and land acquisition phases for the Harrisburg Transportation Center. This project was a historic rehabilitation on the main station and surrounding properties.
MLK City Government Center
Harristown partnered with the City of Harrisburg and served in the pre-development phase and later as project manager for this four-story, 136,000 square foot City Government office center.
333 Market Street
Harristown served as the developer and is the property manager of this 22-story mixed-use commercial office building that contains over 400,000 square feet of State office space and common area with 14,500 square feet of retail space.
Menaker Building
Harristown held the role of developer and property manager for the rehabilitation of this historic six-floor office building. When completed, it also housed space for street retail or restaurant usage.
Strawberry Square - Phase I
Over 1.1 million square foot commercial, office and retail complex including a public atrium. Project partners included the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Bell of Pennsylvania (Verizon) and the City of Harrisburg.
Our Projects
We are continually working to enhance existing facilities and foster programs to create a more vibrant community
