Neuweiler lofts to embrace defunct brewery’s legacy while building Allentown’s future

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The old Neuweiler Brewery in Allentown may be gone, but its legacy will not be disappearing as developers plan what they describe as a “world-class” mixed-use residential project at the site.

Neuweiler Lofts plans include a Brewpub along with restaurant and event space at the site, bringing the Neuweiler Brewery back to life.

John Palumbo, COO of Urban Residential Properties, the developer of the project, said it was important to remember the history of the site.

“The Neuweiler Brewery is an Allentown landmark, which was once the city’s largest employer. It’s an incredible building with rich history,” he said.

But he noted the building had fallen into disrepair since the iconic brewery closed in 1968, and Neuweiler Lofts will breathe new energy into the site.

Palumbo said the project was designed working with city officials and local area residents to complement the historic significance of the site, including the restoration of the Landmark Copula Tower on the corner of North Front Street and Pump Place, where the brew pub will be located.

When construction is finished, the Neuweiler Lofts will consist of 283 residential units, approximately 40,000 square feet of commercial space, and approximately 420 parking spaces.

Much of the commercial space is already pre-leased, including approximately 15,000 square feet to a digital marketing company that is moving its headquarters from New York City.

“This type of pre-leasing activity is rare for a mixed-use residential project, and shows the excitement surrounding this project,” Palumbo said.

The residential component of the $91 million development will also include amenities such as a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, outdoor courtyard and pool deck with views of the surrounding park systems and the Lehigh River.

Palumbo said redevelopment of the former brewery site was right up his company’s alley.

“We are urban redevelopers who look to transform old industrial areas into world class neighborhoods,” he said. “This is a niche market, but we have been successful with this model in Jersey City — in particular, the development of the SoHo West neighborhood — an old industrial area tucked between the Holland Tunnel and the Southeast Hoboken border, which did not see any investment for decades, much like Allentown’s Riverfront.”

He said his company started that development in 2013, and it is now one of the fastest growing and most vibrant neighborhoods in Jersey City, with more than $1 billion of completed development and another $1 billion planned or under construction.

“We believe that the same potential exists on Allentown’s Riverfront,” he said.

Palumbo said that he and his partner, Alex Wright, started in Allentown back in 2010. In 2017, wright took him on a tour of the city.

“I immediately fell in love with the City of Allentown. It had all of the bones of a great mid-sized city and reminded me a lot of Jersey City in the 80s,” he said.

The developers then started their work along the Allentown Riverfront.

“We started with the purchase of the old American Atelier factory located at 207 and 249 N. Front Street, with the backing of Gary Maurer and Jeff Drobins from Peoples Security Bank and Trust,” he said.

The first phase of that project is the Riverfront Lofts at 207 N. Front Street – a 25-unit mixed-use residential project which is nearing completion.

He said pre-leasing activity has been very successful and he believes it has helped create a lot of momentum for the area.

“We now own or control over 20 acres of contiguous property on Allentown’s Riverfront and have worked closely with the City of Allentown and local area residents to properly zone the area for mixed-use urban redevelopment,” he said.

Palumbo said he is proud of the work his company is doing on the development of Allentown’s Riverfront.

“This development will help spearhead the rebirth of Allentown’s Riverfront, while creating hundreds of jobs for local area residents,” he said. “The most gratifying part of my job is giving hard working people the opportunity to provide for their families.

Palumbo has received a great deal of help in bringing the project to life, especially from the benefits that come from being located in the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

The Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority recently voted to approve a $25-million bond issue to help fund the construction project.

“ANIZDA has been a tremendously successful program that has helped spur unprecedented development in Allentown’s Urban Core,” Palumbo said. “Without ANIZDA, this Project would not be possible.”

He said the construction is being funded by a combination of developer equity, ANIZDA bonds and a $63M construction loan.

Construction of the Neuweiler Lofts is expected to be complete by spring of 2025.