BETHLEHEM, PA, September 12, 2019\u2014A dynamic mix of working artists will soon be among the tenants calling the 520 Lofts in downtown Allentown home as City Center Investment Corp. and ArtsQuest partner on three new \u201cArtist Garages at 520 Hamilton\u201d to support the region\u2019s growing arts community.<\/p>\n
Located on the ground level at 520 Hamilton St., the Artist Garages are designed to add to the attractions and amenities of the 520 Lofts residential building, as well as provide affordable studio space for the Lehigh Valley\u2019s working artists. Each space features a glass and aluminum garage door fronting Maple Street, providing a unique opportunity for the community to watch these talented individuals at work.<\/p>\n
\u201cCity Center is thrilled to partner with ArtsQuest and excited to welcome more artists to downtown Allentown,\u201d says City Center Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jill Wheeler, who helped coordinate the project. \u201cWe\u2019re certain their work will attract the interest of those who live, work and visit here and add to the beauty and vibrancy of the downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n
The studios include both natural and LED lighting, utility sinks and high ceilings with exposed beams and minimalist d\u00e9cor. As with the resident artist studios at the Banana Factory, ArtsQuest and City Center Investment Corp. will offer the garages for lease at below-market rates in an effort to support local artists and encourage creative individuals to join the fabric of downtown Allentown\u2019s blossoming arts community.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the region\u2019s arts community continues to grow, we have seen a marked increase in demand for high-quality, affordable studio space,\u201d says Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest, which owns and operates the Bethlehem-based Banana Factory arts center, home to 25-plus resident artist studios. \u201cWe are always looking for expanded opportunities to offer to our growing network of artists and this new partnership with City Center Investment Corp. will allow us to do just that, while at the same time creating a new draw for visitors to Allentown\u2019s evolving downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Artist Garage sizes are: <\/strong><\/p>\n Studio 1 \u2013<\/strong> 370-square feet Studio 2 –<\/strong> 380-square feet Studio 3<\/strong> – 435-square feet Artists interested in applying for one of the spaces must submit an application<\/a> at www.bananafactory.org<\/a>. Interested applicants must include a resume, artist statement and bio, as well as examples of their work. Applications and additional information are available at www.bananafactory.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n About City Center Allentown: About ArtsQuest<\/strong> <\/p>\n Information and images provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n16-feet wide x 24-feet deep<\/p>\n
\n16-feet, 5-inches wide x 24-feet deep<\/p>\n
\n14-feet, 9-inches wide by 30-feet, 9-inches deep<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>City Center Allentown<\/a> is a major mixed-use development that is helping transform downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania, into one of America\u2019s most vibrant urban communities and a regional center of excellence for business, culture and metropolitan living. With Allentown\u2019s new arena, PPL Center, at its core, City Center includes more than 1.5 million square feet among four Class A office towers, the Renaissance Allentown Hotel, five residential communities, upscale retail and restaurant space and a coworking space called Velocity. City Center\u2019s total investment in downtown Allentown is $455 million, with another $235 million under development and $300 million in the planning stages. In 2017, the Downtown Allentown Revitalization District was honored with a Global Award of Excellence by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).<\/p>\n
\nArtsQuest is a Bethlehem-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences, and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization, and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest\u2019s programming reaches more than 1.8 million people annually. The organization\u2019s programs and events, approximately 40 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $135 million annually in the region.<\/p>\n
\nMark Demko, ArtsQuest
\nhttp:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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