PCA&D purchases adjacent property; exploring campus expansion

A Lancaster city building with a storied history has been purchased by Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. The building, with entrances at 224 N. Prince and 223 N. Water streets, neighbors the 204 N. Prince Street College.

Most recently, the building was the long-time home of The Chameleon Club, a music and cultural landmark in the city for 33 years. Prior, the site served as the Fraternal Order of Eagles social club for 85 years. 

The College looks forward to opportunities for exploring and expanding its campus with this acquisition. Options may include student/artist housing, studios, exhibitions, and innovation spaces, as well as spaces supporting our new BFA degree and future Certificate Educational Programs in Live Experience Design. “The potential to keep the cultural heritage of the performance aspect of the Chameleon Club alive is exciting,” says President Michael Molla.

Located in the heart of Lancaster’s arts district, the College is committed to promoting creativity and exploring partnerships. “We are truly excited to support, engage, and retain the ongoing vibrancy of the creative workforce and the economic impact the arts and culture bring to our downtown communities here in Lancaster and within our region,” he says.

The Water Street exterior of the former Chameleon Club, which the College has purchased for $900,000.

President Molla, with the support of the College’s Board of Trustees, is exploring how the adaptive reuse and future development of 223 N. Water Street, will be additive to the College’s bold strategic plan, The Art of Transformation, Designing our Future.   “It is rare when an opportunity to acquire real estate within steps of an urban campus becomes available. It is fortunate that we can explore new ways to shape a creative culture here for the College campus and the Lancaster community,” says President Molla. “Taking advantage of this opportunity now was an important step for the College’s future, as it would be unlikely that this opportunity, steps away from our front door, in all likelihood may not become available again for the next 40 to 80 years.”

LNP: Pennsylvania College of Art & Design buys former Chameleon Club building for nearly $1 million