Developer Bart Blatstein, who turned to Italy for inspiration when he built the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties, now is channeling France for a $700-million casino and entertainment complex, proposed for North Broad Street.

Blatstein, founder of Tower Investments, wants to convert the former headquarters of The Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com into the city’s second casino – The Provence.

The casino would be managed by Hard Rock International, which has 16 hotel and casino properties in the United States and abroad.

Tower Investment is best known for revitalizing Northern Liberties and recently has turned its attention to North Broad Street, having purchased the newspaper offices in 2011.

(Story continues at Philadelphia’s second casino – France on North Broad Street? – Philly.com)