Standing within the confines of a historic building that has been a part of his life since birth, developer Christopher Marsella expresses his vision for the food hall he is investing a total of $25 million in. He sees it as a crucial element in the revitalization of downtown Providence. "Food has a unique ability to bring people together. When done right, anywhere in the world, it acts as a magnet, attracting people from all walks of life," Marsella stated during a press tour of Track 15, his highly anticipated food hall within the former Union Station. "Our aim is to reactivate the immediate area around Union Station and make it a destination for food and drink enthusiasts."

Experience the Culinary Hub in Providence

Food Hall's Timing and Impact

Track 15, set to officially open on February 27th, just weeks before a local food and wine festival and an NCAA basketball tournament draw thousands of people to the city in March, is poised to make a significant impact. It will feature seven local vendors, offering a diverse range of cuisines. From modern Indian plates by Little Chaska to Middle Eastern delicacies from Tolia, burgers from There, There, and locally caught seafood from Dune Brothers, there is something for every palate. James Beard-recognized chefs like Maria Meza at Dolores, a nearby Mexican restaurant, are expected to enhance the culinary experience with on-site tortilla pressing. Kevin O'Donnell, the owner of Giusto and Mother Pizzeria in Newport, will bring his specialties such as sourdough pizza, black squid ink calamari with chili sauce, and homemade pastas.This timing is ideal for the events, but Marsella believes the food hall will serve as a regular attraction for those living within 25 miles of downtown Providence. It has the potential to become a haven for food-centric individuals, providing them with a unique dining experience.

Building's History and Restoration

The building where Track 15 is located is the original Union Station, initially built in the 19th century and destroyed by a fire in 1987. Marsella's father, Romolo A. Marsella, undertook the painstaking process of restoring it to its former glory. They had to restore the clock tower and the roof, which had been completely damaged. After its reopening, it housed the city's original Capital Grille, the first in the chain's history in the country. It also had Raphael's and more recently, Bar Louie.Indoor and outdoor seating will accommodate approximately 600 patrons, providing a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for diners. The ground-floor building's decline began when Capital Grille moved out in 2015 and relocated to the IGT building. For years, it remained vacant due to the impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry.Romolo A. Marsella sees this effort as a comeback story. "This is the center of downtown. This is where all the activity was. COVID really hit us hard. But this is our chance to bring back the life and activity I created more than 30 years ago. And it all starts with restaurants," he said.Marsella had been kicking around the idea of a food hall for years and started discussions with local chefs and operators about four years ago. There was some initial hesitation as many owners were focused on keeping their businesses afloat during the pandemic. However, Dune Brothers was the first to sign on, and others quickly followed.During a tour on Wednesday, Marsella pointed out several original elements of the old train station, such as the steel beams that run across the nearly 17,000 square-foot space, the exposed brick, concrete floors, and the newly discovered granite stone that lines the bathroom walls, which he estimates were covered at some point in the 1980s."I remember as a kid being here when the trains came through with the birds flying around inside," Marsella recalled.

Operational Details and Future Plans

Much of Track 15 is still under construction, but kitchen equipment for the seven stalls is beginning to be installed. When the owners move in, they will pay Track 15 a percentage of their sales. In exchange, through a licensing agreement, Track 15 will cover utilities, marketing, taxes, dishware, cleaning, and handle other back-of-house operations. Marsella declined to disclose the percentage."The ownership structure is us investing in the space and creating an environment for them to focus on their eight to 10 menu items. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to plug and play," Marsella explained.When the hall opens, it will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. A media wall will showcase sports and movies, and there will be some live music on certain nights.There will be more than 525 parking spaces available to patrons, both on the surface lot at the front entrance of Track 15 and in the parking garage underneath the Courtyard Marriott hotel next door. All parking will be validated.The former Luxe Burger Bar space, which closed after 15 years in 2020, is currently a construction office for Marsella. He plans to redevelop it in 2025 into a venue for private events and cooking classes.For decades, Marsella's father worked on the development of downtown office towers and hotels like Capital Center, One Citizens Plaza, and the Courtyard Marriott, which have become integral parts of Providence's skyline and business. With Track 15 nearly completed, Marsella wants to continue to "build vertical."During an interview with the Globe, Marsella faced the two parking lots directly outside of Track 15 and said with certainty, "I want housing and a hotel here."Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.