200 apartments approved for center-city Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -

Another large building has been approved for center city Allentown, but not without some criticism of its design from a member of the Allentown Planning Commission.

Called City Center Flats, the 11-story structure will be built on the northeast corner of Eighth and Walnut streets.

A five-level apartment building, containing 200 one and two-bedroom units, will be built over a 700-space parking garage.

The structure also will include some retail shops along South Eighth Street.

The plan won unanimous final approval from the planning commission Tuesday, with one abstention.

It is just the latest approved project from City Center Investment Corp., which is transforming downtown Allentown with new buildings.

James Gentile, president of North Star Construction Management, spoke on behalf of the plan before the commission. His company designed the building and will construct it.

Although listed as an 11-story building on the planning commission agenda, Gentile told the commission City Center Flats will have five levels of apartments over five levels of parking.

He later indicated the 11th level is where Walnut Street drops down toward Seventh Street at the east end of the building.

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200 apartments approved for center-city Allentown