Laros Lofts
Illuminating an overlooked architectural treasure
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Client: Broad Development
Date Completed: 2024
The R. K. Laros Silk Mill, later sold to the Sure Fit Products Company, was a beacon of textile manufacturing in east Bethlehem for nearly 75 years (1922-1995). As new units were added to the building to suit the changing needs of the facility, massive windows throughout the complex were infilled with concrete or wood boarded, leaving a dim interior and a drab facade. Working with the developer, our team unblocked the window openings, replacing them with multi-lite windows that helped revive the appearance of the original mill. Our rehabilitation design included new commercial spaces on the first floor and 57 apartments on the second and third floors. To bring more natural light into the building, we made strategic cuts into several of the light wells.
The renovated lobby features colorful murals and showcases original machinery from the Laros Silk Mill.