After more than two years of planning and construction, Park Place Condominiums was lit up with excitement - literally.
While Bonacio Construction, Inc. is working on putting the finishing touches on the complex, Mary Lou Whitney was invited to a chandelier-lighting soiree to celebrate the acquisition of an 1800's chandelier that hung in Saratoga Springs' Grand Union Hotel. For 57 years, the crystal chandelier was housed at a doctor's home in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was found by Kevin Smith of Hidden Gardens and was brought back to Saratoga Springs by James Ackerman. Because the chandelier was so old, it was powered by gas, not electricity. In order to have the chandelier in working condition for the condominium's lobby, all 1,000 pieces of crystal were removed and the chandelier was completely rewired, Sonny Bonacio, President of Bonacio Construction, said.
It was guest of honor, Mary Lou Whitney's task to flick the switch to light the chandelier in Saratoga Springs for the first time in 57 years.
"I think I'm the only one in this room who saw the old hotel," she joked. "It was a wonderful, beautiful structure. When it was put up for sale, I wanted my late husband to buy this chandelier. Instead we got a bunch of funny old chairs."
Samantha Bosshart, executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, was more than excited to see the chandelier hanging in the lobby.
"It's so great to see history returned to its home," she said. "It encompasses the grandeur of the Grand Union hotel. Unfortunately we lost the hotel before the Preservation Foundation was in operation."
Whitney added that when the hotel was up for bid, it was lost to a developer with interest only in developing the land by $1 and was demolished to make room for commercial development.
Having the chandelier in Park Place symbolizes the history of Saratoga Springs and also adds an old, historic charm to the changing landscape of the city.
Park Place went under construction in 2007, shortly after the closure of the old Saratoga YMCA. Once complete, the complex will have 51 total units: 43 one, two and three bedroom housing units and 8 commercial spaces on the first two floors. The complex also has two levels of underground parking for residents. Currently there are three condos sold and Bonacio said he expects eight or nine more closings by the end of the year.
It was guest of honor, Mary Lou Whitney's task to flick the switch to light the chandelier in Saratoga Springs for the first time in 57 years.
"I think I'm the only one in this room who saw the old hotel," she joked. "It was a wonderful, beautiful structure. When it was put up for sale, I wanted my late husband to buy this chandelier. Instead we got a bunch of funny old chairs."
Samantha Bosshart, executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, was more than excited to see the chandelier hanging in the lobby.
"It's so great to see history returned to its home," she said. "It encompasses the grandeur of the Grand Union hotel. Unfortunately we lost the hotel before the Preservation Foundation was in operation."
Whitney added that when the hotel was up for bid, it was lost to a developer with interest only in developing the land by $1 and was demolished to make room for commercial development.
Having the chandelier in Park Place symbolizes the history of Saratoga Springs and also adds an old, historic charm to the changing landscape of the city.
Park Place went under construction in 2007, shortly after the closure of the old Saratoga YMCA. Once complete, the complex will have 51 total units: 43 one, two and three bedroom housing units and 8 commercial spaces on the first two floors. The complex also has two levels of underground parking for residents. Currently there are three condos sold and Bonacio said he expects eight or nine more closings by the end of the year.
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