Securing the Future Site
The Allentown Art Museum is preparing to initiate the development of its new home at 10th and Hamilton streets. Museum President and CEO Max Weintraub joined Board Chair Chris Bernecker this week to present their case to the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority’s Project Review Committee. The pair requested that the 0.67-acre parcel intended for the project be formally added to the NIZ. They also asked for financial backing covering up to 20% of total project costs, with the assistance capped at $9 million.
Committee members granted unanimous approval for both requests during their Wednesday session. The proposal moves to the full ANIZDA board for a final vote on September 2. Because the NIZ district faces a statutory limit of 128 acres, the authority arranged to transfer a similarly sized plot of land out of Buck Boyle Park to maintain the legal cap. This procedural shuffle clears the path for the institution to proceed with its 55,000-square-foot expansion project.
Outgrowing the Legacy Space
Plans call for a move from the current Fifth Street facility upon completion of the new structure in 2029. Construction of the new building involves a budget of approximately $48.7 million. Demolition of the existing Allentown Police substation located on the site is scheduled for this fall, pending final city sign-off. Site construction is expected to start next spring. The current museum site, located at 31 N. Fifth St., dates back to 1902 and originally functioned as a church before the museum moved there in the 1950s.
Weintraub highlighted the practical limitations of the current building during the review. He noted that aging infrastructure and outdated climate control systems prevent the facility from meeting modern museum standards. Spatial constraints also prevent the institution from properly managing its permanent collection of over 20,000 objects. The museum has recorded about 60,000 visitors annually since it implemented free admission in 2022. Weintraub cited the annual gala as one event currently split between two locations due to size restrictions, a problem the new venue intends to resolve.
Design and Long-Term Vision
The proposed structure consists of three floors and a partial basement. Designers envisioned a transparent ground floor to provide public sightlines from the street level. This area will house a great hall for events alongside several classrooms. The second floor features an opaque design specifically intended to protect light-sensitive textiles and paper exhibits. The exterior facade will incorporate materials that echo local industrial and concrete history, and a rooftop terrace will be included in the final design. Visitors will be directed to use the existing parking garage on 940 Linden St.
Funding for the move relies on a combination of a private capital campaign and state grants. The museum acquired the land from the Allentown Parking Authority for $1.4 million in April 2025. While the new project moves ahead, the museum will continue normal operations at its current site. The leadership team plans to engage city officials and community partners to find a future owner and use for the old building once the transition to the new, purpose-built facility is complete.