Work advances on upscale apartments in Easton

More upscale residential units are on their way in downtown Easton. Bethlehem developer Dennis Benner has obtained planning and zoning approvals to renovate a predominantly vacant five-story office building in downtown Easton into apartments and add a rooftop garden.

Workers have begun transforming the site.

This year, Benner bought the Wells Fargo building at 6 S. Third St., across from the Alpha Building and Centre Square, for $1.6 million.

He plans to convert the property into 30 upscale apartments that would feature large windows, high ceilings and open-floor plans.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto said the project brings positive benefits to the city, including more feet on the street.

“It definitely brings more people to the downtown,” Panto said. “The improvements to the property will raise the real estate taxes. We encourage more conversions to apartments in the downtown.”

City officials are pushing for more home ownership in the neighborhoods, he added.

Wells Fargo is a longtime tenant of the property. Benner has said he was hopeful the company will remain, on the first floor.

The apartments will be called ONE 6 Flats.

Source: LVB