Developer Plans to Revive Forgotten Speakeasy Beneath Divine Lorraine
Developer Eric Blumenfeld has big plans for reviving The Divine Lorraine Hotel, the iconic and once grand high-rise on North Broad Street that’s been downgraded to fodder for ruin porn in recent years.
KYW Newsradio's Hadas Kuznits caught up with the developer this week to see what he has in store for the crumbling property. One of the more surprising details she unearthed in the interview was the fact that Bloomenfeld has his sights set on reviving a long forgotten speakeasy that once operated beneath the historic hotel.
“I think we’re gonna reactivate it,” he told Kuznits. “So there was a secret entrance that is now covered over on Broad Street that takes you right down into the lower level.”
In addition to the speakeasy, which he would like to have include live jazz, Blumenfeld’s vision includes a “very upscale restaurant and bar” on the south side of the lobby, and a coffee shop and some retail on the the other side.
Below, take a look at video of The Diving Lorraine’s secret speakeasy:
Photo: uwishunu
