EASTON, Pa. — Local and state politicians, business magnates, dignitaries and residents came together Wednesday to officially open City Center Residential’s first apartment complex outside downtown Allentown.
Guests at The Marquis Residential Building enjoyed tastings from local establishments along tours of the furnished model apartments and amenities such as co-working spaces, a gym, a dog park, a pool and a lounge.
Officials billed the seven-story building at 27 S. 3rd St., which stretches the block between Pine and Ferry streets, as the largest residential project in the city’s history.
"When we opened our doors six weeks ago, on May 1, we had over 100 leases, and today we were up to about 164 leases. So that is just unheard of, not only for the Lehigh Valley, but for any market."City Center Group President J.B. Reilly
The project was built by North Star Construction under a joint venture between City Center Group and Bethlehem’s Peron Development.
And while a fresh, modern look and easy walkability in the city's downtown were certainly great selling points, renters made it clear that the ample amenities topped the list.
And there were plenty of interested parties looking into leases.
"I've been in the apartment business since 1989 and I've never experienced such strong pre-leasing demand for a project," City Center Group President J.B. Reilly said.
"When we opened our doors six weeks ago, on May 1, we had over 100 leases, and today we were up to about 164 leases. So that is just unheard of, not only for the Lehigh Valley, but for any market."
'A significant impact'
Just before 4 p.m., the third floor of the building was brimming with guests exploring a decked-out community room filled with balloons, enjoying drinks and appetizers from establishments including Amigos, Aman’s and Vault brewing.
They also were checking out the lauded amenities The Marquis has to offer.
Speaking before the ribbon-cutting, Reilly thanked his political guests and associates for helping get the 300,000-square-foot, $80 million project across the finish line in 15 months.
He said the new building will help further revitalize the city’s downtown.
“The Marquis is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, and The Marquis is the largest downtown development project in the history of the city of Easton,” Reilly said.
“With its 264 apartments, which will house over 400 residents, 300 parking spaces, and new retail on Third Street, The Marquis will have a significant impact on this already incredibly vibrant downtown environment.”
State Sen. Lisa Boscola, who was instrumental in securing $5.5 million in grant funding for the project, commended Reilly and his team for getting the project done quickly but correctly.
“I am honored to be here, and I believe one day I will reside here" Boscola said. "I actually love it. It is everything that you want in a community living center."
'Add to the ibrany of downtown'
State Rep. Robert Freeman said The Marquis is a hallmark of Easton’s continued progress after dealing with the ramifications of urban renewal programs he said were “misguided and tore down solid neighborhoods.”
“Well, today we reclaim some of that with the ribbon-cutting for this outstanding building," Freeman said.
"We add to the vibrancy of the downtown, but we also take a step to reverse the damage that urban renewal visited upon the city those many decades ago by providing that residential building process here, and also the commercial component that goes along with it.
“It will add to the ongoing renaissance that Easton has been experiencing and will continue to experience again, thanks to the leadership of Mayor [Sal] Panto, members of council, the city administration and our parts that we do to try and help whatever we can.”
Panto commended Reilly and his crew for their work. He said the building will help to keep taxes stable in Easton while offering more living space in the walkable downtown district.
“I've been through the building several times," Panto said. "It's remarkable, it's really remarkable. The people who live here enjoy it. They love it because it's nice. The amenities are fabulous.
"And I can't wait to get up to the roof and see it completed, because I've only been up to the roof during construction and great views, but there was nothing there."
What The Marquis has to offer
The Marquis has studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, a pet-friendly lounge and dog park with outdoor seating, a coworking lounge, a courtyard with a firepit, grills, bocce and cornhole, a rooftop deck and a vanishing-edge swimming pool with a sun shelf.
Apartments at the facility will offer open gourmet kitchens, luxury vinyl-wood plank flooring, full-sized stackable washers and dryers, and premium finishes throughout.
The building also will have controlled access community-wide Wi-Fi, bike storage, onsite professional management, 24/7 urgent maintenance services and concierge services such as pet walking.
The ground floor will feature three restaurants: Amigos Mexican, ZEN bar and lounge, and The Joint Coffee Co. café, which are set to open in summer.
Current listings for studio units at The Marquis start at $1,495, one-bedrooms at $1,851 and two-bedrooms at $2,606.
'Everything here that you would want'
Marquis resident Joe Galvin moved into his new one-bedroom unit on May 16. He said he once lived at Woodmont Place at Palmer, but The Marquis had so much more to offer.
“I love it all: all laminate hardwood floors, all new appliances. Everything's new,” Galving said.
“This has a lot more modern stuff, absolutely. Anybody who doesn’t want to move here is nuts. I'm thinking about getting a two-bedroom.”
George and Diane Riker signed a lease three months ago, and said they plan to move in next week after spending two years at the Silk Mill and the time prior at a farmhouse they owned,
“The amenities here… parking is a big one, the swimming pool, the dog park,” Diane Riker said.
“And they have everything here that you would want,” George Riker added.
