Seitzland Village represents historic pride and a dedication to community.
Seitzland Village store
Visitors along the York County Heritage Rail Trail may have noticed the Seitzland Village Project, which involves the adaptive reuse of a group of heritage buildings adjacent to the rail trail in southern York County.
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has been working with owners Dave Keller and Ellen Darby for a number of years to work on the Seitzland Village “store,” which is being repurposed into a first-floor restaurant and second-floor apartment. The village aspires to not only provide services to rail trail users, but also bring history to life in the modern age.
Seitzland Village: Then and now
In the mid-1800s, the Village of Seitzland developed as a stopover town along the North Central Railway. The trains stopped to pick up the goods produced at Nicholas Seitz’s mill, and housing and services quickly flourished around it.
In 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources gave the Heritage Rail Trail the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year Award.
In the years since, Keller and Darby have joined forces with M&D and other partners to bring Seitzland Village back to life with a sculpture garden, apartment, and restaurant with brewing, distilling, or wine-making capabilities.
Adaptive reuse in architecture
M&D began its involvement in the Seitzland Village Project by completing the exterior envelope design for the historic “store.” Peter Colello, Associate Principal, began leading the project in time to tackle the interior, which will be equipped for a restaurant or cafe on the first floor. The second-floor apartment will be a great space for visitors, particularly tourists interested in history or locals seeking a unique staycation experience.
Colello recognizes that it’s a prime location right off the rail trail. “It’s a good example of how you can use these historical buildings and repurpose them to meet modern-day needs.”
Colello adds that working with such dedicated owners has been a rewarding experience. Speaking of Keller, he says, “His craftsmanship is his pride. He cares about the building, the project. It’s very hands-on.”
According to the Seitzland Village Project website, “Until recently, Seitzland was an invisible intersection. [...] Today, heads turn, and people stop to take photos and to ask about what’s happening here.” So far, the village’s owners have acquired five properties, helped create the Historic Village Overlay zoning district, coordinated with all necessary government agencies, and already made major improvements—with more to come. If that doesn’t tell you they’re passionate and invested, we don’t know what will.
Seitzland Village represents historic pride and a dedication to community. Already, the York County Heritage Rail Trail and Seitzland Village have intersected to create something that’s the antithesis of heartless development. Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects looks forward to continuing to partner with these individuals and organizations and, ultimately, seeing it all come to life.
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