The time has come for the City of Allentown to officially define its relationship with J.B. Reilly's City Center Realty. The company is a privately owned real estate portfolio. Allentown's taxpayers are actually subsidizing Reilly, by making up state taxes being diverted to finance his buildings. It is entirely inappropriate for the current edition of Adventure Allentown magazine to feature and promote Reilly's apartments. On page 20-21, Reilly's 520 Lofts is described as upscale with a distinctly creative urban vibe accented with graceful nods to Victorian motifs. Did we pay the city's communication director to write that, or was that copy provided by Reilly's staff?
Understand that Allentown's other investors do not get featured in city publications, nor should they. Understand that Reilly has successfully appealed his tax assessments, and is paying less than the construction costs. Understand that promoting his apartments over that of other investors is totally improper.
I've never been inside one of City Center's apartments but, while they do look NEW, from the outside they look anything but UPSCALE.
ReplyDeleteThe exteriors of the Strata buildings north of Hamilton have the feel of European public housing, which might be where they're headed once the newness wears off. The exterior of the soon-to-be completed building Sixth and Walnut looks like every left-over or discount building material from other projects was used on it.
Not sure what the future holds for the exterior of the mid-construction building at 8th and Walnut, but the other two certainly don't raise any hope or expectations for something great.
I know you've already noted the cookie-cutter blandness of City Center's office buildings, and nothing being built currently conveys anything made to last. Maybe in the end that's the most honest part of what they've done so far.
Mike, Thanks for pointing this out! It does raise questions, and should cause real concern, but as this is Allentown, well....you know.
ReplyDelete