Lehigh Valley Trust Building – Vault 634

  • Size 15,475 sq.ft. (renovation), 2,035 sq.ft. (addition)
  • Completion Date 2018
  • Location Allentown, PA

Having purchased the long vacant Lehigh Valley Trust Building located at 634 Hamilton Street in center city Allentown, Pennsylvania, the client tasked the design team to convert the antiquated bank building into a premiere, five-star wedding venue and event center that would rival those found in New York City. Completed in May 2018, the LVTB Vault 634 provides a unique event experience for up to 225 seated people and as many as 450 standing. The renovated facility offers a 35’ high event space featuring turn-of-the-century architecture, marble-fluted pillars, three antique vaults, and a gold-leafed crown molding ceiling with a 900sf stained glass skylight. A wide sweeping curved marble monumental staircase descends from the Mezzanine down to the ballroom. Five magnificent Hess chandeliers, having been reclaimed and restored from the historic Hess Department Store, once again illuminate an Allentown landmark.

A key challenge confronting the team was the objective of maintain the building’s historic elements and integrity while updating the facility to meet modern building code and accessibility requirements, as well as providing and integrating entirely new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, sprinkler, acoustic and audio-visual systems. The recently opened venue, which can host weddings, parties, corporate events and other social gatherings in an urban, downtown environment, has already achieved tremendous success and will provide visitors a distinct taste of historic Allentown for many years to come.