Lehigh Valley Real Estate

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

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.

Easton Housing Authority obtained a set of variances that will allow for development of a 45-unit affordable senior housing project and dedicated parking in the West Ward.

Several planning commission members questioned the use of a gate to regulate traffic and suggested developer Manny Makhoul instead extend Turner Street across his property.

Plans call for buildings of 50-plus feet, but they won’t seem that tall to neighbors, according to the developer.

The project, named Emerson Village, calls for the construction of 57 townhomes and 59 single-unit homes on 35 acres at 3626 Rural Road.

On Wednesday, HARB, the recommending body to City Council that weighs proposed changes to the exterior of buildings in Historic Bethlehem, said it wanted to see revised plans for the former 555 Main St. five-and-dime at its next meeting on April 2.

The Northampton County General Purpose Authority voted Tuesday to transfer a small lot along 25th St. to Skyline Investment Group, the developer working to turn the old Dixie Cup factory into more than 400 apartments.

The work is supported by a $1 million reimbursement grant through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, for “the design acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.”

Just around the corner from Main and Broad streets, Darto's has operated at the same 46 W. North St. location for more than 40 years. It will be replaced by another restaurant of some sort.

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.

The Diocese of Allentown envisioned razing the 2 ½-story Queen Anne-style home to construct a four-unit, 4,100-square-foot senior living complex. Officials on Monday only voted against the structure’s demolition, but any further development likely would get its own discussion and vote.

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.

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.

Moxy Hotels, which calls itself "Marriott International’s experiential hotel brand," said Moxy Allentown Downtown will be the brand’s first hotel in Pennsylvania.

A hearing for a developer seeking variances to turn a former Crayola site in Palmer Township into 94 apartments was continued following more than two hours of testimony from expert witnesses.

A 76-apartment and retail development project on the site of the former SouthSide Boys & Girls Club on Fourth Street in Bethlehem is expected to be completed during the first half of 2025.