In the heart of West Chester, Pennsylvania, a historic 19th century bank building stands as a testament to the city's rich heritage. But over time, its grandeur had faded, and it was waiting for a visionary to breathe new life into the building — none other than Fabio Viviani, a celebrity chef renowned for his culinary prowess and engaging personality.
The journey began when trusted commercial real estate firm Pillar Real Estate Advisors sold the bank building to ConWal Development. Recognizing the potential of this neoclassical building, ConWal tapped Pillar’s expertise to find a tenant who could restore it to its former glory.
Pillar quickly set his sights on attracting fine dining diners to revitalize the iconic building, and while several big names in the restaurant industry expressed interest, it was an introduction by Pillar's contacts that sparked the building's transformation.
Ran Whitna of Penn Street Mortgage connected Pillar with Craig Colby of Colby Restaurant Group. Colby is a successful restaurateur with an impressive portfolio of concepts and locations. Meanwhile, Colby has partnered with chef Fabio Viviani in a previous venture, making him the ideal candidate to lead the redevelopment of the bank building.
With Pillar’s marketing platform and Colby’s endorsement, Chef Viviani’s interest was piqued, and he soon flew out from Chicago with his team to explore the building’s potential.
Despite competing proposals, the owners were convinced that Chef Viviani's vision was a perfect match for the building's potential. A series of meetings with the building's owners, John O'Connell and Charlie Walsh of ConWal Development, solidified the partnership. Together, the two envisioned “9Prime,” a premium steakhouse and event experience that would provide a contemporary dining experience while respecting the building's history.
Over the next few weeks, ideas were pitched, concepts were refined, and aesthetics were meticulously considered, resulting in a collaboration between Chef Viviani and ConWal Development: a labor of love that transformed the historic building into a culinary destination.
After months of design and nearly a year of construction, ConWal Development was committed to bringing ConWal Development and Chef Viviani's vision to life. The result is 9 Prime, a treat for all the senses. From the opulent chandeliers to the lavish furnishings and brand new marble bar, every detail has been carefully crafted to exude an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.
9 Prime will complete a journey that began in a historic building in need of restoration when it opens to the public on February 10, 2024. In partnership with Chef Fabio Viviani and ConWal Development, Westchester can now boast a premier steakhouse that will exceed even the loftiest expectations.