The Flatiron Building

Located in the heart of Southside Bethlehem, The Flatiron Building was designed by A.W. Leh and built in 1910 for the well known banker, E.P. Wilbur. Since 2007, when THE STONE HOUSE GROUP (SHG) moved into and began managing the building, The Flatiron tenants have continuously sought to practice sustainability and energy conservation through building system upgrades and energy efficiency improvements that have decreased the building’s overall carbon footprint by 75% while increasing building occupancy by 60%. One of the ways the Flatiron Building has reduced its carbon footprint is by installing renewable energy, including a 40 kW Solar PV array on the parking garage and a 36 kW prototype condensing solar power (CSP) dish on the roof of the building. Two high efficiency natural gas fired boilers were also installed to replace the outdated and inefficient oil boiler. Additionally, several spaces, including four apartments and multiple office spaces, completed renovations within the past year and are pursuing LEED Gold Certification with support from an Alternative Clean Energy (ACE) program loan. LEED credits pursued in the renovated spaces include: long term leases; a building-wide community room; a public bathroom with a shower; installation and use of energy efficient and EnergyStar appliances; low flow fixtures; LED lights; low VOC paints and adhesives; natural day lighting through large southern exposure windows; interior light shelves; reuse of existing building materials; and stormwater runoff diversion to groundwater.
The Flatiron Building’s central Southside location fosters community connections and is within walkable and bikeable distance of home for some tenants. The bank and ATM on the first floor is an amenity for the surrounding community and the community room on the 5th floor offers tenants a group space to hold building-wide and community events. The second floor apartments are great housing options for people wanting to live on the Southside within walking distance of Lehigh University, Steelstacks and Bethlehem’s Historic Northside, while the building’s CoOp space provides office space for small companies and start ups. Additionally, Lehigh University has department offices on two floors of the building, allowing the University to continue engaging with the surrounding community. Other tenants, including the local public radio station, and a local brand marketing company, occupy offices in the rest of the building. The sustainable and “green” features introduced to the Flatiron Building have helped transform a 107 year old building into a beautiful and productive place for building occupants to work and live.
For more information contact:
Larry Eighmy
The Stone House Group
610-868-9600
eighmy@theshg.com



