ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A construction company announced Wednesday that it will be building more than 100 apartments at a mostly empty office building on Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Serfass Construction Co. Inc. said in a news release it was retained by DLP Capital to construct 118 luxury apartments in the 350,000-square-foot office building.
The project involves the conversion of five floors of the eight-story building into a mixed-use residential community, the company said.
"There's an incredible demand for a nice place to live. There's been that's been kind of the problem with Allentown," said Don Wenner, founder and CEO of DLP Capital.
The building, now called Dream Grand Plaza, is in the city's central business district, at 835 Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Wenner says the company, which owns the building, fully designed it, hired contractors and got the necessary permits.
"Then, put it on slight pause for a couple months when we thought PPL was going to move their headquarters to our building," he said.
But that didn't happen, so now it's full speed ahead for the project, Wenner says.
"The building is incredible, gorgeous glass building all the way around, all four sides are huge," he said. "The whole middle of the building is going to be all amenities."
The "resort-style amenities" include media rooms for entertainment, a fitness center, a dog wash for pet owners, and a package room to streamline deliveries, according to the news release.
"We are thrilled to be working alongside DLP Capital on this exciting project," said Matthias Fenstermacher, vice president of Serfass Construction Co. Inc. "Our team is dedicated to creating exceptional living spaces that exceed expectations. Together with DLP Capital, we will bring this vision to life and set a new standard for living in Allentown."
Rents will range from low $1,000s up to about $2,000, Wenner says.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk says he's excited about the prospect, even slightly sentimental.
"My hope is that they will return the fountains to this spot because I have fond memories of watching my children playing in that fountain," he said.
The company is also eyeing up the PPL Tower, where Wenner says there should be more apartments and a grocery store beneath them, if the company has its way.
"We may end up being the buyer or involved in the group that buys it..." he said.
