ALLENTOWN | Landmark Tower | FT | 37 FLOORS

[summersm343]

http://highrisefacilities.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Allentown-Landmark-Tower.jpg

A 420-foot-tall, 33-story tower has been proposed by developer Bruce Loch for the corner of Ninth and Walnut streets in Downtown Allentown, PA. The mixed-use tower would be the tallest building in the city.

The building will feature retail on the first floor, 19 floors of office space, 10 floors of rental apartments and two floor of condos. Her’d also like to build a conference center on floors 31 and 32, with a restaurant and observation deck on floor 33. He is offering to give naming rights to a tenant who is willing to lease more than half of the office space.

http://highrisefacilities.com/developer-proposes-33-story-allentown-pa-high-rise/

[chris08876]

This is great news for Allentown. It will really stand out.

http://www.boxaroo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Allentown.jpg

http://www.boxaroo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Allentown.jpg

Lehigh Valley's New Tallest

[chris08876]

Found some reading material on the topic, More in the link... :

After decades of spreading out, Allentown could be growing up, its skyline altered by the Lehigh Valley's tallest building.

Developer Bruce Loch unveiled plans Wednesday for the 33-story Landmark Tower at Ninth and Walnut streets. The $60-million project would include nearly 200,000 square feet of office, retail and residential space and eclipse the vacant Martin Tower, the former headquarters of Bethlehem Steel and the Valley's tallest building, by 20 feet.



Loch, an experienced residential builder in the Lehigh Valley with more than $100 million in development under his belt, is making his first foray into this type of project, which he said would be on a lot owned by the Allentown Parking Authority, next to the authority's garage on Walnut Street.

The property is in the city's one-of-a-kind Neighborhood Improvement Zone, which allows developers to tap tenants' state and city taxes, not including property taxes, to finance construction.

Plans, which are in the early stages, call for retail on the ground floor of the tower, topped by 19 stories of offices. Above that would be 10 floors of residential space — of those, six would be for apartments and four for condominiums. The top three floors of the building would be a restaurant and conference center.

Source: http://articles.mcall.com/2013-03-28/news/mc-allentown-lehigh-valley-tallest-building-20130327_1_allentown-developer-plans-tallest-structure-neighborhood-improvement-zone

[Duck From NY]

It'd be awesome to see more tall buildings in the Lehigh Valley.

3rd biggest metro in PA, about equidistant from NYC + Philly.

[NYguy]

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2015/01/proposed_allentown_skyscraper.html

Proposed Allentown skyscraper would tower 420 feet above the city


http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-3e29cc2a5c90df63.JPG


http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-32a3da70519c5ab9.JPG


By Edward Sieger
January 13, 2015


A proposed 33-story tower at Ninth and Walnut streets could eventually become the norm, not the exception for development in Center City Allentown, the project architect said Tuesday.

"It could be a start of many other buildings in Downtown Allentown," architect Glenn Lichtenwalner said.

The Allentown Planning Commission Tuesday took its first look at developer Bruce Loch's 420-foot Landmark Tower project. Planners tabled the project while additional engineering and architectural work is completed.

As proposed, the building would become the tallest in the state outside of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh and feature two floors of retail, 24 floors of office space and seven floors of residential, including three floors of penthouse space. The penthouse views from the ceiling-to-floor windows would afford a roughly 360-degree, 20-mile view, according to Lichenwalner.

The planning commission's review was a broad one that included questions about parking, storm-water management and access to the adjoining parking deck. Commissioner Richard Button addressed the elephant in the room: the building's vertical reach on a relatively small parcel of land.

Project engineer Andy Woods acknowledged the property is a relatively small one at roughly 5,200 square feet. Button said he's fielded concerns from residents about the prospects of building such a tall building on that property.

"It looks like a tall, skinny building. Tell me how solid this is going to be," he said. "People think you can't do it."

Referring to renderings provided by the architect, commission Chairman Oldrich Foucek noted "that conference room looks like it would take up an entire floor."

The building's pedestal will measure roughly 80 feet along South Ninth Street and 68 feet along Walnut Street, expanding to 89 feet by 78 feet at the fifth floor, Lichtenwalner said. The PPL building's upper floors, by comparison, measure 120 feet by 76 feet, he said.



http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-1a45afed949c7cdd.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-ea0c0194bac7c1b5.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-ddb0c1931ba184cd.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-c868cb528a8caf75.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-1a320354d140f0ce.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-c66e115cae7325af.JPG

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-eb82d467302adbb3.JPG

[Austinlee]

The fuck? Did a 7 year old on the short bus draw this design?

http://imgick.lehighvalleylive.com/home/lvlive-media/width960/img/express-times/photo/2015/01/13/-1a45afed949c7cdd.JPG

[munchymunch]

Ugly, but It will add the density in a city of 100k. It's ok, all in all.

[Hudson11]

very Asianesque, almost like Pagoda but without the tiers.

it also reminds me of the Prudential Tower in Boston, mostly because of the shape and antenna up top.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5272/6896707768_5c0b022fe0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/bvrqWC)
The Prudential Tower from Across The River (https://flic.kr/p/bvrqWC) by Drone Photography (https://www.flickr.com/people/93331813@N00/), on Flickr

[chris08876]

Will definitely stand out. Its a nice little city, good culture, good surroundings, and this will help.

[Antares41]

A nice development for Allentown. Understand the population is growing; thats great. In the future could become a nice little hub city in the western extreme of the New York City Metropolitan Area

[summersm343]

There was already a thread for this created so I merged the two.

[Late1]

A nice development for Allentown. Understand the population is growing; thats great. In the future could become a nice little hub city in the western extreme of the New York City Metropolitan Area
Lehigh Valley is its own metro, but Allentown is closer to and more connected with Philadelphia than New York (some Philly TV stations even include LV in their coverage) - and I don't see that changing.

I'm excited for this project but wish they'd do something a little more modern with the crown, at least. Would definitely love to see a public restaurant at the top - I'd totally make the 1.5 hour drive up there for dinner!

[Antares41]

Lehigh Valley is its own metro, but Allentown is closer to and more connected with Philadelphia than New York (some Philly TV stations even include LV in their coverage) - and I don't see that changing.

I'm excited for this project but wish they'd do something a little more modern with the crown, at least. Would definitely love to see a public restaurant at the top - I'd totally make the 1.5 hour drive up there for dinner!

Your correct about the proximity, and, not to belabor the point, I spoke from the standpoint of the USOMB which place the Lehigh Valley in the NYC Combined Statistical Area even though it is closer to Philadelphia. Same goes for Trenton which is even closer. I'm sure the OMB already realize that the NYC/Philadelphia CSAs have essentially merged, its just hasn't come up with a official definition to describe it. Nevertheless Allentown appears to be on the upswing and I think that's great.

[Downtown Bolivar]

Looks kind of like Crescent City Residences in NOLA. Hope it doesn't have the same fate. Not a great design.

[dfc9258]

Does anyone have any updates on this project. Groundbreaking anytime soon?

[Urbannizer]

Does anyone have any updates on this project. Groundbreaking anytime soon?

This is from June. Unsure if work has commenced.

Construction to start on 33-story Allentown Landmark Tower in fall, developer says (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2015/06/construction_to_start_on_33-st.html)

Construction will start this fall on the 33-story Allentown Landmark Tower, which will be Pennsylvania's tallest building outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the developer said.

Ascot Circle Realty recently purchased the land and air rights it needs to build the tower at Ninth and Walnut streets and plans to start construction in the fourth quarter of the year, Ascot President Bruce Loch said Thursday.

Ascot is close to signing both office and retail tenants for the building, which will include 24 floors of offices and two floors of retail, Loch said.

The tower will take between 18 and 21 months to construct and should be done by the end of 2017, Loch said.

Website (In keeping with the renders, it too has an outdated look to it): http://www.allentownlandmarktower.com/

[wanderer34]

Allentown deserves this tower!!! I've always loved that city, as it's been my favorite city outside of Philadelphia!!!This project will help the city of Allentown grow and I hope that PA can do everything to make sure that the Lehigh Valley is well connected to it's largest city, Philadelphia!!! Congratulations, Allentown!!!

[wanderer34]

Any updates on the tower? I'd love to hear if the Landmark Tower is in some form of fruition!!! Pics, please?

[Pulkvedis Pods]

Any updates on the tower? I'd love to hear if the Landmark Tower is in some form of fruition!!! Pics, please?

Lehigh Valley Business - LVB.com has and article by Brian Pedersen on October 23 about the tower. http://www.lvb.com/article/20171023/LVB01/171029956/no-word-yet-on-construction-delay-for-33story-allentown-tower

There ought to be some excitement over the news stated toward the end of the articlr relating to City Center 5.

Center City Allentown definitely has changed since I went to college there 30 years ago.

[Urbannizer]

Developer gets extension on 33-story Landmark Tower plan in Allentown (http://www.lvb.com/article/20180613/LVB01/180619949/developer-gets-extension-on-33story-landmark-tower-plan-in-allentown)

Now that two years have passed since the Allentown Planning Commission gave final approval to a plan for a 33-story tower in the city's downtown, the project's developer needs an extension so he can build it.

And on Tuesday, the planning commission extended the final project approval through July 2019, said Bruce Loch, developer of Landmark Tower and a Certified Public Accountant who leads an accounting and consulting firm in South Whitehall Township.

He has not started construction on the $70 million 220,000-square-foot-building, which would go up at the corner of Ninth and Walnut streets. However, the site is within the Neighborhood Improvement Zone, a lucrative tax incentive for tenants that allows for reduced rental rates and has fueled more than $1 billion in construction of new buildings and renovations of existing ones in the city’s downtown.

The plans call for two floors of retail, 24 floors of offices, seven floors of condominiums and access to a parking deck. W2A Design Group of Allentown is the architect.

[Urbannizer]

Landmark Tower project developer in Allentown asks for another year-long extension (https://www.wfmz.com/news/lehigh-valley/landmark-tower-project-developer-in-allentown-appears-set-to-ask-for-another-year-long-extension/1084143374)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The developer behind what would be the Lehigh Valley's tallest building appears set to ask the Allentown Planning Commission for another year-long extension for approval of the project.

A land development extension has been requested for the Landmark Tower Project at 90 South 9th Street and Penn Square Section 6, according to the planning commission agenda.

Developers are seeking to extend the final approval for the 33-story building until July 2, 2020.

The Allentown Planning Commission in June 2018 unanimously approved a year-long extension that expires on July 2, 2019.

[Urbannizer]

Another year, another extension..

https://www.ctbuh.org/news/proposed-slender-tower-in-allentown-receives-planning-extension

It’s been 75 months since the Allentown Planning Commission blessed Bruce Loch’s plan to build the 33-story Landmark Tower on a small South Ninth Street lot downtown.

Standing 420 feet (128 meters) above a 5,200-square-foot lot, the skinny skyscraper would eclipse the 322-foot (98-meter) PPL Tower.

But reality hasn’t yet caught up with Loch’s lofty ambitions. The northwest corner of the South Ninth and Walnut street intersection remains a tidy grassy square near a slew of other construction sites.

The planning commission on Tuesday reluctantly granted Ascot Circle Realty a fourth, and apparently final, extension of its plan approval. Commissioners vowed to reject a request for another extension if they haven’t seen progress by June 2023.

“There is an end to everything,” planner Oldrich Foucek said. “At a certain point, you know whether or not you’re going to do it. ... At a certain point, we get the feeling we are being strung along.”

Reached after the meeting, Loch, president of Ascot Circle, remained unperturbed and optimistic.

“We know it will happen,” he said. “You just need persistence, and I have lots of that.”

Loch is trying to lock in a tenant to occupy at least 20 of 24 office floors in the skinny, pencil-like structure. New opportunities emerge on an almost weekly basis, he said.

https://cloud.ctbuh.org/global-news/2021-06/Allentown_GN.jpg

[Busy Bee]

You'd think with all this extra time they could redesign it.

[KevinFromTexas]

It reminds me of the Plaza Tower in New Orleans. I know a lot of people hate that building, but I've always sort of liked it.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/New+Orleans,+LA/@29.9461186,-90.0807188,167a,35y,90h,77.93t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8620a454b2118265:0xdb065be85e22d3b4!8m2!3d29.9510658!4d-90.0715323

[Busy Bee]

I was thinking it resembled Plaza Tower as well... and I'll just.leave it at that.;)

[chris08876]

Since I work in Allentown there will be no shortage of u/c pics once this is rising.

Allentown is also building (almost wrapped up) a big Airgas HQ complex. One high-rise and one mid rise. More on the outer rim of the city when you get off of I-78 (near Dorney Park).

The whole Lehigh Valley is ripe for development. A lot of potential since New Yorkers and vile NJ folks like myself are placing our flags in the area. :P :cheers:

[Urbannizer]

Recent article, new owner and now proposed at 37-floors:

https://www.mcall.com/2024/01/09/pencil-tower-proposed-for-downtown-allentown-has-a-new-developer-and-new-plans-its-now-up-to-37-floors/

[Busy Bee]

Hopefully redesigned as well. Nice height boost.