Just the other day Grub Street mentioned that Stephen Starr (as well is Marc Vetri) is getting credit for creating hundreds of new jobs and helping to spur new growth along an underdeveloped stretch of North Broad Street with his involvement in a construction project that will include a new restaurant for his expanding portfolio. Today we learned that in addition to being recognized for new construction, Starr’s also getting some props for helping preserve historic properties. Architect Richard Stokes nominated Starr for one of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s Preservation Achievement Awards for his work on The Dandelion. Meanwhile, Lawrence S. Krasner and Michael Giampietro, the two attorneys credited with the restoration work on the building that will house Starr’s forthcoming Il Pittore, the Italian restaurant he’s been working on with Chef Chris Painter since last year that’s slated to open this spring at 1221-23 Locust Street, have donated a preservation easement on the neighboring property at 251 South Camac Street to the organization. Like the Il Pittore space, that building was also a former home to Fritz Blank’s legendary Deux Cheminees. [Preservation Matters]
