Readers of this blog know that I'm upset about what little value history is given in this community. Yesterday's Morning Call story on the Lehigh Valley Trust Bank building goes a step farther, and significantly alters the story of an important structure. After reading the Morning Call article, one would think that the bank closed, Abe Atiyeh purchased it and then sold it to the Jaindls, who are now opening an event center after restoration. The real story is so different, I can only conclude that this current article was only meant as another NIZ promotion, not a serious background of the building.
When the building was purchased by Seigfried Braun, unmentioned in the article, it had been modernized. He and his family spend years and most of their assets lovingly restoring it. The famed skylight and other adornments were covered over decades earlier, by a massive new lowered ceiling. What you see now is the fruit of his labor. Restoring the skylight alone took over a year. In addition to that bank, he also purchased the Dime Bank and the Elks Club. The Dime Bank has now been incorporated into the new Renaissance Hotel. The Elks Club was demolished to make way for J.B. Reilly's aborted massive Two Towers project.
Unfortunately, illness forced Mr. Braun to quickly sell these significant structures for pennies on the dollar, to Abe Atiyeh. We should thank Braun for saving these magnificent structures. Although, I like to think that my local political opinions have merit, my better calling is to defend and advocate for local historical structures, when I have the needed endurance. Meanwhile, I use this blog to present local history, and occasionally point out misconceptions about it.
reprinted from January 7, 2017
reprinted from January 7, 2017
molovinsky on allentown is published early morning every weekday.
What Allentown has done in allowing historic buildings to be demolished is a disgrace. Our downtown looks like somebody’s version of Lego construction. Shame on the powers that be for caving in to NIZ And other entities and overlooking the value of having historic buildings in our city. Unfortunately, this damage cannot be undone.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, nobody spoke up (except this blog) even under the cover of different organizations, such as Historical Society, Art Museum, Old Allentown Preservation, etc.
DeleteSo while Allentown lost most of it’s significant downtown architecture, and the messy real history is being rewritten, since nothing really happened before the NIZ, one of the last bits of downtown history is vulnerable, the Post Office. USPS has been looking to dump this historic building for decades. The paintings and fixtures are in terrible shape and again the cultural organizations and local government turn their heads, claiming more involvement with the “diverse community” rather than history.
ReplyDeleteNo Allentown administration has stepped forward in terms of history, if it's the WPA park structures or the WPA post office, they have always been missing in action. Again, include the cultural and historic societies on that list.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% we are losing and have lost much in the way of beautifully appointed buildings, plus they were built like the proverbial brick "outhouses"... recall the Colonial that was going to fall down any second...???... the crew that took it down had a devil of a time with the demo and said it would never fall down due to it's construction, but the city got it's way.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how JB's buildings fare in 100 years!!!
Carol Wickiser must twirling in her grave.
anon@12:39: I had to look up Carol Wickiser. If only you and others, so informed, would sign your comments, it would add to the chorus for preservation.
DeleteShe was a fine lady, gone far too soon. She was a super advocate of preservation... one of the few people that had a genuine working Hamilton St lamp post in her rear yard.
DeleteMike, I would love to sign my name, however, this city has a long, unforgiving, spiteful, retaliatory memory... if you get my drift.