Downtown West, Allentown
Urban Land Institute Philadelphia
2025 Awards for Excellence: Large Scale Category Winner
Downtown West Reinvigorates a Main Street District of the Past
Downtown West in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a large-scale mixed-use development across 15 acres, revitalizing a previously underutilized area into a vibrant hub featuring residential buildings, restaurants, hotel, state-of-the-art music hall, parking, and significant public art.
This development addresses community needs by creating housing and supporting local businesses through a façade-renovation program, along with a substantial investment in public art, landscaping, and improved streetscapes. Collaborating with Cedar Crest College Art Therapy students, City Center Group wrapped electrical boxes throughout Downtown West and partnered with Allentown Mural Arts to bring 30,000 square feet of murals to the area. The Path, a pedestrian walkway, features 4,000 square feet of murals and a “Before I Die” wall open for community enjoyment.
The transformation of an old hotel into Cityplace Apartments exemplifies a strong commitment to sustainability. In addition to Cityplace, both Walnut View and 1010 Apartments feature green roofs and street trees in improved streetscapes. The Maple Street Garage showcases dedication to sustainability with a green roof, energy-efficient lighting, electric vehicle charging stations, and a 10,000-square-foot mural painted with pollution-absorbing paint. These innovative elements earned the garage an Apex Award for Sustainable Design.
The design throughout Downtown West was crafted to complement the surrounding buildings, and the extensive public art further enhances aesthetic appeal and fosters a strong sense of place. Façade renovations enhance the historic character while adding vibrant pops of color. All five apartment buildings are uniquely designed, each with a distinct vibe, yet maintain a sense of connection. The Moxy Hotel in Downtown West pays homage to the Vaudeville era while celebrating local landmarks Dorney Park and the Great Allentown Fair. Archer Music Hall, operated by Live Nation, features two distinct yet complementary venues, Archer and Arrow. Award-winning chef Jose Garces is enhancing Downtown West with a Cuban café and rum bar with interior design inspired by Cuba’s Golden Age and blending Art Deco elegance with African and Spanish influences. A second Garces restaurant in the area, Okatshe, will be a bold Japanese Izakaya, inspired by Tokyo’s Shinjuku district.
The integration of housing, hospitality, entertainment, and public art shows an innovative approach to mixed-use development. The adaptive reuse of the hotel structure into a residential building exemplifies innovative thinking and resourcefulness. Using cutting-edge technology and materials, such as smog-absorbing paint and energy-efficient practices, exemplifies a commitment to innovation. The 31,171-square-foot, state-of-the-art music hall features advanced acoustics and is strategically designed to host two separate events simultaneously, establishing it as a dynamic hub for live entertainment.
Cityplace North and South achieved full occupancy before their official openings, highlighting strong market acceptance. That pre-opening success, along with the strong performance and excitement of other Downtown West components, indicates significant demand for the project’s offerings. A development-sized music venue has long been needed in the area, with community interest in events even prior to its completion. The project’s location in a revitalizing urban area, proximity to major metropolitan areas, and high quality of construction and design contribute to its market success.
Owner/Developer/Design – City Center Group
Architects – Bernardon | Core States, Studios Architecture
Interior Design – The Society, Dash Design, Blueprint Studio | Live Nation
Landscape Architecture & Public Space Design – Omnes, Allentown Mural Arts, Dripped On Productions
Construction Management – North Star Construction Management
Project Partners – Allentown Neighborhood Improvement District Authority (ANIZDA), City of Allentown, Allentown Parking Authority
