Raphael's Emporium Award Signals New Momentum for Davenport's Hilltop Campus Village
- Brian Kramer
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 29, 2026) – The Hilltop Campus Village is celebrating the announcement that the City of Davenport has been awarded a $100,000 Community Catalyst Grant from the State of Iowa to support the redevelopment of Raphael's Emporium, one of the district's most recognizable historic buildings.
Located at 628 Harrison Street, Raphael's Emporium has stood as a landmark in the Hilltop for more than 140 years. The project will stabilize and restore the historic structure while returning the first floor to productive commercial use. Future phases of redevelopment include new residential apartments on the building's second floor, creating additional housing opportunities within the district.
"This is more than the rehabilitation of a single historic building," said Brian Kramer, Executive Director of the Hilltop Campus Village. "It represents the type of investment our community envisioned through a Main Street Program. Raphael's Emporium demonstrates that strategic public-private partnerships can preserve our history while creating new opportunities for businesses, residents, and future investment."
The redevelopment will create a new destination within the Hilltop by introducing a multi-tenant salon concept, complementary food and beverage opportunities, and restored storefront space along one of the district's primary commercial corridors. The project also includes significant structural stabilization, façade restoration, masonry repair, weatherproofing, and preservation of the building's historic architectural features.
For the Hilltop Campus Village, the project represents another milestone in the neighborhood's ongoing revitalization. Since 2009, the organization has helped support the creation of more than 90 businesses, approximately 250 jobs, and more than $145 million in public and private investment throughout the district.
Raphael's Emporium joins a growing list of transformative projects occurring throughout the Hilltop, including implementation of the recently completed Hilltop Master Plan, new pedestrian safety improvements, public art initiatives, and continued investment from institutions and private developers. Together, these efforts are creating renewed confidence in the district and attracting additional interest from entrepreneurs, property owners, and investors.
"This project sends a strong message that the Hilltop is moving forward," Kramer said. "As one building is restored, it creates confidence for others to invest. We believe Raphael's Emporium will become a catalyst for additional redevelopment throughout the Harrison Street corridor and interest in development in the central corridor of Davenport."
The Hilltop Campus Village congratulates project developer David Miller, the City of Davenport, and the many partners whose collaboration helped make this investment possible. The organization looks forward to supporting the project's continued progress and celebrating its positive impact on the neighborhood for years to come.
Catch the City's announcement here!
About the Hilltop Campus Village
The Hilltop Campus Village is a nationally accredited Iowa Main Street district dedicated to strengthening Davenport's central corridor through economic development, historic preservation, placemaking, and community engagement. Since its founding in 2009, the organization has worked with residents, businesses, institutions, and public partners to create a vibrant, connected, and economically resilient neighborhood.
Media Contact: Brian Kramer ~ Executive Director ~ Hilltop Campus Village
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