From the outside and on the inside, an early 20th century mansion at 14th and Hamilton streets in Allentown looks every bit its age.
For Zach Jaindl, of Jaindl Properties, the home has the look of an opportunity to turn back time, while looking to the future.
In 2011, Jaindl Properties moved its offices into a Queen Victorian built in 1907 at 15th and Hamilton, transforming a rundown relic into a 21st century workspace.
It's the same idea for the mansion a block away. It's one of three historic west-end homes the family has recently bought, while looking to add more.
"Currently renovating them into affordable Class A office space for businesses," Jaindl said.
A century ago, the street car turned farmland near West End Park into an enclave for Allentown's super wealthy, but time has taken its toll, and attention is needed.
Jaindl. who is also developing Allentown's waterfront, is aiming to bring doctors, lawyers and even tech firms onto the stretch of Hamilton.
"I think it adds to the historicity," said historian Frank Whalen. "It's what the history is and ties to the past. Gives people a context, a sense of the past, if you will, and that's what I think adds to it."
Somewhat ironically, new development downtown sparked Janidl's interest in the west end.
"That was the catalyst for Allentown to be redeveloped, or its renaissance is what most people are calling it. Really kind of stretched out toward West Park, which is why we became interested in this area," Jaindl added.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/1HPJU0U
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire