Several of the newest additions to the transformation of downtown Allentown were recognized with awards from the Urban Land Institute.
Da Vinci Science Center and City Center Group's Downtown West live-work-play neighborhood were among the institute’s Awards for Excellence winners for the Philadelphia area announced May 21.
The Lehigh Valley is a leader in urban redevelopment and adaptive reuse. These awards follow previous national accolades for the rebirth of the Bethlehem Steel plant site and downtown Allentown.
“The remarkable renaissance of Allentown is occurring because of the innovating thinking of organizations such as Da Vinci Science Center and City Center Group. They are meeting many community needs and positioning the Lehigh Valley for a strong future,” said Karianne Gelinas, Vice President of Regional Partnerships & Talent Strategies at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).
Urban Land Institute said the winning projects represent the highest standards of achievement in the development industry and advance the institute’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for positive impact in communities worldwide.
“Projects are considered not just for one element, such as design, but for a range of characteristics including leadership in development, sustainability & building performance, market acceptance, and community impact,” said Anne Fadullon, the incoming ULI Philadelphia District Council Chair, who is Founder & Principal at MAKE Advisory Services.
Downtown West
Bounded by Linden Street to the north, 12th Street to the west, 9th Street to the East, and Walnut Street to the south, the 15 acres include the blocks around the newly opened Archer Music Hall and Moxy hotel.
The area includes new housing (Cityplace Apartments, Walnut View, 1010 Apartments), new restaurants (Rosa Blanca and Okatsh), and community space including a pedestrian walkway, with wrapped electrical boxes and 30,000 square-feet of murals in collaboration with Cedar Crest College Art Therapy students and Allentown Mural Arts.
The neighborhood is being reimagined by developer City Center Group, which has invested more than $850 million in downtown Allentown, with another $537 million in planning and construction.
ULI said the project “is revitalizing a previously underutilized area into a vibrant hub.” It is addressing community needs by creating housing, renovating business facades, and through a substantial investment in public art, landscaping, and improved streetscapes.
“The integration of housing, hospitality, entertainment, and public art shows an innovative approach to mixed-use development. The adaptive reuse of the hotel structure into a residential building exemplifies innovative thinking and resourcefulness,” ULI said.
"It is an honor for downtown Allentown to be recognized alongside some incredible Philadelphia projects by ULI and a jury of national experts," said Jill Wheeler, Vice President of City Center Group. "To have three of the 14 finalists come from downtown Allentown and two win Awards for Excellence is a tribute to the amazing work the public and private sectors have done to make Allentown a leading city again."
Da Vinci Science Center
The 67,000-square-foot center a block from Downtown West opened in May 2024, relocating from a smaller space in Allentown. It is projected to draw more than 400,000 visitors and generate an economic output of nearly $34 million annually.
Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion is more than a science center. It is an instrumental piece of Lehigh Valley’s coalition to build talent for employers. It showcases science-related careers at local businesses and introduces students to jobs involving STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) skills through multiple programs, including the Women in Science & Engineering Initiative.
Da Vinci “serves as a community hub for lifelong learning to foster a vibrant, inclusive, forward-thinking ecosystem in the Lehigh Valley,” ULI said.
The institute recognized the center’s innovative exhibits designed in collaboration with regional partners. They include the Lehigh River Watershed’s Pocono Ravine constructed with input from theme park designers; the Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body exhibit, codesigned by more than 60 healthcare experts; and the Science in the Making gallery that illustrates science applied in manufacturing, done in conjunction with manufacturers including Mack Trucks and Bosch Rexroth.
ULI said the Da Vinci Science Center provides opportunities for Allentown students to imagine and pursue family-sustaining jobs. It said the center is meeting needs identified by LVEDC, including exposing students to careers and career pathways; increasing opportunities for internships and work opportunities; expanding partnerships between schools and employers; and focusing on employability and soft skills, technical skills, STEAM skills, and short-term immediate training.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Urban Land Institute, whose values of thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable development align closely with our mission. This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared vision that continues to drive meaningful educational opportunities and inspire the next generation of learners in our community,” said Lin Erickson, Da Vinci’s CEO and Executive Director.
Previous Awards
Urban Land Institute, Downtown Allentown Revitalization District and City Center Group
A Global Award for Excellence was presented in 2017-18 for the redevelopment around the PPL Center arena, which included multiple office and residential buildings and the Renaissance Allentown Hotel.
Bruner Foundation and Urban Land Institute, SteelStacks at ArtsQuest
A Gold Medal Award for Urban Excellence was presented in 2017 by the Bruner Foundation for the renovation of part of the former Bethlehem Steel site into the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus. ArtsQuest, PBS 39, and the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority were honored.
The Bruner award is a national design honor that recognizes transformative urban places distinguished by their economic and social contributions to America’s cities.
“This is an important site, because after all it is the Bethlehem Steel, and it’s a site where we need to recognize the importance of the history. It had to be in a way that it was different. You couldn’t turn it into condos or whatever because it wouldn’t support it. This was an absolutely innovative way to do it,” said architect Simeon Bruner, the namesake of the honor.
That renovation also won a Global Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute, in 2014.
(Photo of Moxy hotel courtesy of City Center Group; Da Vinci Science Center by Rick Kintzel; ArtsQuest by Donna Fisher Photography.)