Lehigh Valley Real Estate

The first of a three-session forum to address the housing availability and affordability crisis in the Lehigh Valley was held at DeSales University on Wednesday.

Palmer Township zoning officials continued their hearing on the former Crayola building at 2025 Edgewood Ave., though due to testimony from experts, the hearing will go on to March at least.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation shared statistics showing that salaries, among other economic indicators, are at a "new peak."

Borough Council on Monday signed off on land development plans for Clauser Lofts, a proposal for 59 apartments and 8,750 square feet of commercial space near the border with Bethlehem.

Bethlehem Township's planning commission voted Monday to recommend conditional use approval for a 12-building, 264-unit apartment complex.

You may recognize the 2 ½-story, Queen Anne-style structure developers have said is on its last leg at 1304 Spring St. It was once home to Bethlehem Steel President Eugene Grace’s head gardener, who lived on the lower end of his boss’ estate.

A new report recommended Allentown create a housing trust fund and explore legislation that would cap rent hikes. Housing in the city is unaffordable to the average city resident, it found.

Cortex Residential is planning to build a three-story affordable housing complex with 38 apartments on South Eighth Street in Allentown.

The Lehigh Valley housing shortage crisis will be examined by an engagement series called the Lehigh Valley Housing Supply and Availability Strategy. The first of the three-stage process will be held Feb. 5 at DeSales University.

The new plan, presented to Lower Macungie Planning Commission on Tuesday, now consists of 13 homes in Cherry Ridge Estates, instead of the original 20.

The Lehigh Valley has been put on the map for its popularity among home buyers. Now, it's officially cheaper to rent than to buy, and the area has been named the hottest small rental market in 2024 by Rent Cafe. What trends can current and prospective residents expect in 2025?

Bethlehem City Council, which next meets on Jan. 21, will have the final vote on whether the project gets a certificate of appropriateness. The Historical Architectural Review Board serves as a recommending body.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency awarded seven projects in the state with grants from its Community Revitalization Fund Program. Only one project in the Lehigh Valley received money — a remediation project for the Fourth Street Building in Bethlehem.

Once pitched for 27 units, the newest project documents show 24 apartments to be built on site, with 18 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom units ranging from about 600 to 1,700 square feet.

City officials will later hear more on the vision and take a vote on the new $25 million building at 701-719 N. New St. The vote on April 1 pertained to the zoning classification of the land in question, located just a couple of blocks up from the action on Main Street.

Allentown planning officials granted a one-year extension to Cortex Residential as it awaits state funding for its project.

Lower Macungie's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to buy 44 acres of farmland on Lower Macungie Rd. Township officials previously approved a 30-building, 180-unit apartment complex on the site.

Bethlehem’s Pembroke Choice project is giving residents “the opportunity to plan what the next generation of their neighborhood looks like,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said Saturday.

This time around, developers look to better conceal the addition among neighboring structures, setting it back 28 feet from the original facade instead of a previously proposed 6 feet.

More than a dozen new apartments could be built in Allentown, though six more were rejected Monday night.

Local officials highlighted the project's potential to make a small dent in the Lehigh Valley's deep housing deficit.

A conditional use hearing for a 170-unit apartment complex on Van Buren Road addressed a potential right-of-way issue during Monday's Palmer supervisors meeting, although the hearing has been continued until April.

Officials held a grand opening for 1528 West Apartments on Friday, which is World Down Syndrome Day. Ten of its 49 apartments are reserved for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The almost four-acre property is near the intersection of Easton Avenue and Farmersville Road, across from Blue Grillhouse and just down from Notre Dame High School.