Down Town Club changes hands

Joe Volpe's Cescaphe catering empire keeps growing.

Volpe, who became one of Philly's catering's giants when he ran the show at Colleen's on the Parkway, just landed the Down Town Club on the 11th floor of the Public Ledger Building, the Georgian Revival landmark at Sixth and Chestnut Streets. It's across the street from the Atrium at the Curtis Center, where Volpe has staged weddings and other fancy events on weekends since 2008.

Ferra Donna Inc., which managed Down Town Club since 1995, will run events booked at the venue until the end of 2012. Then, Volpe will do a renovation in the first quarter of 2013. The Down Town handles up to 200 people.

After breaking off from Colleen's, Volpe founded Cescaphe Ballroom in Northern Liberties in 2004. Besides the Atrium at the Curtis Center, Volpe and crew opened Tendenza next to the Piazza in Northern Liberties in 2008. In 2011, he opened Vie, at 600 N. Broad St. Volpe says his company will produce 500 weddings this year.