by KYW's Lauren Lipton

In 1923, the building at 717 Chestnut Street in center city housed the Union Trust Company bank (above). Then, for decades until just a few years ago, it was a jewelry store -- the venerable Jack Kellmer Company (right).
 
And now the historic building that once housed gold and diamonds is being turned into a new Philadelphia gem, a 400-seat restaurant. Owners and area boys Ed Doherty and Terry White (the chef) are opening the Union Trust Steak House.

(Doherty:)  "What I can't wait to see is for our guests to walk in the door for the first time, look up at that 65-foot-ceiling, and just be in awe of this space.  It's gonna be mind-blowing."

White says their restaurant will be a Philadelphia exclusive:

"Your server's going ask you to cut directly into the center of that steak to make sure that it is prepared to your absolute liking and satisfaction.  Even though the steak will be perfectly seasoned, I am one of those chefs that believes in putting salt and pepper on the table, should you choose to use it."

So he doesn't slap people who want to put on more salt and pepper -- or ketchup?

"I don't slap people. At Union Trust Steak House we want you to have your meal exactly as you want it."

Many of the building's original features are being kept, but much will be new.

(White:)  "We actually have purchased four Montague broilers."

(Doherty:)  "Terry White is one of the premiere steakhouse chefs in the country. When you have a race car driver, you don't want to put him in a Pinto, you know?  You wanna put him in the Lamborghini.  The Montague is the Lamborghini of broilers."

For more of my conversation with Ed and Terry on the restaurant and the building's history and renovation, click on the podcast, above right.

 (Photo #3 by KYW's Ed Fischer)