Progress

October 3, 2009

Condos in city drawing attention

Developer says four units at Northampton and Main have been sold as finish nears.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Construction of the new loft condominiums in the city’s downtown is progressing – walls are going up and plumbing is being installed – and even though they won’t be ready for months, four have been sold and there is much interest in the rest.

Called “Elevations,” the project is a new urban condominium living option located at Northampton and South Main streets above the Movies 14 Theater Complex. The units are located within walking distance of Public Square, the F.M. Kirby Center, YMCA, the River Common and downtown retail shops and restaurants.

The one- and two-bedroom lofts and flats are located on the second and third floors of the complex. They feature high ceilings, open floor plans and quality finishes, secured indoor parking with direct elevator access, a community rooftop deck and secured building access.

The unit sizes range from 789 to 1,655 square feet, with prices between $130,000 and $260,000.

Jack Kay, president and CEO of Susquehanna Real Estate, project developer, said four units have been sold and six will soon be available for interested buyers to view.

“We are really happy with the pacing of this project,” Kay said. “We have a lot of interest in the units and we look forward to getting them on the market.”

City Mayor Tom Leighton said the project has breathed new life and excitement into the downtown.

“The developers share the same vision of the city as we do,” Leighton said. “Our goal has always been to encourage people to move into the downtown. Our hope is that this is the first of other similar projects to bring more residents downtown.”

Leighton said there has been increased interest from people wanting to move to the downtown. He said Provincial Towers was 30 percent empty a few years ago, and now there is a waiting list to get in.

Leighton said adding residential units to the working population in the city and the students of Wilkes University and King’s College is helping grow the city’s economy.

Todd Vonderheid, president and CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Partnership, said the Elevations project was funded with $1.2 million from the Pennsylvania Financing Housing Authority and $500,000 from the state Department of Community Development. He said the developers invested $4 million in the project.

“This project will knock your socks off when it’s done,” Kay said. “It’s the best value of any real estate in the region.”

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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