Fraser Centre (Hyatt Place/Target)
Locals were craving more high-end dining. Out-of-town visitors have been asking for more downtown hotels. And everyone loves a rooftop view. This project delivers it all.
Our Origin Story: The RDA’s First Project
Previously situated on municipally owned land, the site that currently features Downtown’s Hyatt Place hotel, Federal Taphouse restaurant, and Target used to house the former State College Borough building.
In 2003, when a new home for the Borough was built in its current location on Allen Street, the original building and land were no longer needed and there was a desire for a public/private partnership to redevelop the property.
In his first State College project, Gary Brandeis, a developer with local ties, acquired the property, with the RDA being the mechanism that made the process possible.
By Pennsylvania state law, municipally owned land sales have to go to the highest bidder (regardless of whether that may be in the best interest of the town.) Because local RDAs are able to function outside of this requirement, it becomes possible to bring lower profit but highly worthwhile resources and amenities into the local landscape.
In this case, the Borough was able to transfer the land to the RDA, who transferred it to Brandeis. Instead of more student housing, residents and visitors to the Borough have enjoyed Fraser Centre’s businesses, hotel, restaurant, and apartments since 2016.
Fraser Centre developer Gary Brandeis in the entrance to Downtown’s Hyatt Place hotel
