These simple row houses at 174-182 North Pearl in the north east corner of Allentown were one of the city's first renovation projects. They were built in the 1880's following a design by architect Frederick Fischer.
As commonly happened in this part of town, the five once elegant, single-family houses gradually slid downward until they had become decrepit rooming houses. Thankfully, architect Bruce Garver, with rare early appreciation for the city's architectural treasures, saw great potential and completed a very fine restoration of the buildings in 1973.
His work brought back the beauty of their historic details while adding some contemporary elements that have withstood the aesthetic test of time. Though at first glance these houses look identical, there are actually two alternating types. Subtle shifts in detailing on the prominent bay windows give each a distinctive appearance.
The repetition of the bays and the wide first floor aches adds a rhythmic visual motion to the facades Though the detailing of these buildings is sparse, it is highly refined - especially the beautiful iron tracery around the inside face of the arch, which focuses attention on a lone ionic column at the center.
The arches themselves are composed of a beautiful fan of brick with a gentle bull-nose edge. These are the kind of simple elegant buildings that make up great cities.
Stay tuned. This little corner of the city's most historic neighborhood is packed with great buildings and spaces. More to come.
