Union Station
Rescuing a historic rail station through adaptive reuse
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Client: Ashley Development
Date Completed: 2005
Until 1968, Bethlehem’s Union Station, a notable Classic Revival construction built in 1924, had been a busy hub for the Lehigh Valley and Reading Railroads. When this service was discontinued, the station was abandoned while the rail lines remained in use for regional service into the 1970s. After decades of neglect and vandalism, the building required renovation to save it from complete dilapidation.
St. Luke’s Hospital acquired the property and hired a developer to restore the station and transform it into clinical offices. Artefact was brought on to design two new additions for that would integrate seamlessly with the historic architecture, restore historic features in the main building, and renovate the entry area for use as a physical therapy clinic. The renovation was partially financed by historic tax credits.