Truth is, work has not started on the 430 Virginia Street residential conversion project announced in Mid-2006. That is about to change. Owner/developer Kissling Interests expects to have its building permit in hand this week. A formal ground-breaking is tentatively scheduled for the third week of August according to Scott LaCasse, Kissling vice president.
Kissling purchased the 22,000 sq.ft., four-story Allentown building in October 2006. Constructed in 1924, the building at one time housed the National Casket Company.
Ten live-work units are planned- eight units will be single-level and two will be duplexes. The one and two-bedroom units will average 2,000 sq.ft. and include approximately 1,300 sq.ft. of open and flexible live/work space. Live-work units provide work and housing space, ideal for the needs of small businesses and artists. Rents are anticipated to be in the $2000 to $2100 range.
Exterior improvements include a new steel and glass entryway on the east elevation (rendering above), replacement of existing windows with aluminum-clad wood windows to match the original in size and design, and creating new and larger window openings in the basement. Enclosed parking will be available. Silvestri Architects PC is the architect and Peyton Barlow will oversee construction.
The project is happening at an opportune time. The only other rental project underway downtown is at 95 Perry Street in the Cobblestone District. Allentown Lofts is in an established neighborhood located at the northeast corner of Park and Virginia Street between Elmwood and Delaware.
Work is expected to take eight to nine months to finish.
Get Connected: Kissling, 716.853.2787
