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Laurie Schreiber

Szanton Co. breaks ground on Lewiston's Hartley Block project

Originally published on February 23rd, 2018, in Mainebiz, by Laurie Schreiber.

The Szanton Co. broke ground Thursday on The Hartley Block development in downtown Lewiston, which will create 63 residential units and 4,000 square feet of street-level retail and restaurant space.


About 40 people turned out under a gray sky for the Feb. 22 groundbreaking for The Hartley Block, which is on Lisbon Street in Lewiston.


Although the project isn’t due to be completed until March 2019, there’s already been interest from prospective tenants.


“We’ve had a couple of people call in to ask about residential space and we’ve had a couple of inquiries from attorneys and accountants — professionals who are looking for nice Class A office space,” said Magnusson Balfour Commercial & Business Brokers Associate Broker Raynor Large, who with Dustin Boutin, also of Magnusson Balfour, is handling the commercial space.


Large said he’s also seen some interest already in retail/restaurant space, adding that interest is coming from both the local area and elsewhere.


“It’s an even split,” he said. “We’re members of the Lewiston-Auburn chamber of commerce and we’ve reached out to chamber members and have had a lot of interest there. And we’ve been in contact with larger chains and companies in the Portland area that are considering moving into other markets.”


Convenient location


Hebert Construction is on the job at the 175-foot-long by 100-foot-wide Hartley Block site.

Szanton first entered the L/A area in 2012-13 with its redevelopment of Bates Mill No. 2 into The Lofts at Bates Mill, with 48 mixed-income apartments, located at 36 Chestnut St.. The Hartley Block is so named to honor the famous 20th century modern painter and Lewiston native, Marsden Hartley, who had a studio at the location in 1906.


The residential units will be provided to people at a diversity of income levels.


Across from Forage and within walking distance to other popular destinations such as Fuel, Baxter Brewing, Bare Bones, The Vault and more, the construction is taking place at 145-177 Lisbon St. where, about a decade ago, four adjacent historic buildings were destroyed by arson.


Szanton contracted Hebert Construction of Lewiston to build The Hartley Block. Auburn architectural firm Platz Associates performed the design work.


“I think it’s very exciting, personally,” said Large. “I grew up in the Lewiston-Auburn area. There’s been quite a bit of change in downtown Lewiston and some of that is now moving over into the Auburn area. Having a new façade and a brand-new building there — it’s fantastic.”

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