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Commission conditionally approves 3‑story addition atop 1132–1136 Hamilton St.; staff seeks design refinements
Summary
The commission approved a six‑story conversion and addition to 1132–1136 Hamilton Street (three‑story base plus three‑story addition) conditioned on design revisions: clearer distinction between old and new, extended primary facade materials, window rhythm consistency and other staff comments.
The Allentown City Planning Commission conditionally approved plans to renovate the existing three‑story building at 1132–1136 Hamilton Street and construct a three‑story addition above it, creating a six‑story mixed‑use building with first‑floor offices and 50 dwelling units on floors two through six. The item was approved with conditions asking the applicant to provide additional drawings and to refine facade materials and details.
Melissa (planning staff) said the building was damaged by fire in July 2024 and the proposed project would maintain the first‑floor office space while adding residential units above. Staff noted missing items in the initial submission — floor plans, full facade material details, dumpster location and landscape plans — and requested additional information showing step‑backs, material specifications and how the addition would be differentiated from the historic base using guidance such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for additions to historic buildings.
The applicant, developer Joe Colasuano, said the team will use a different, gray brick on the addition to avoid “creating a false historical appearance” and described the proposed step‑backs and balconies that help minimize the addition’s visual dominance. Colasuano and the architect agreed to revise the upper‑floor canopy at the fifth floor and to consider extending brick farther along the east and west sides where practical. The developer also confirmed asbestos remediation has been completed and provided certificates.
Commissioners generally supported the concept but asked the applicant to refine window rhythm to match the existing building where feasible, extend brick veneer further down side facades where possible and consider further use of Art Deco motifs to tie the addition to the building’s character. The commission approved the project subject to the applicant addressing staff and engineering comments and returning final details for staff sign‑off.
What’s next: Applicant to submit revised plans with step‑back details, facade materials, landscape plans and dumpster location; approval will be contingent on satisfactorily addressing engineering, zoning and stormwater comments.
