One of downtown Allentown’s classic buildings along the waterfront is about to cruise into a new life in the coming year.
The former A&B Meats building at the base of the Hamilton Street Bridge will become the new home of RB Collection Restoration Center, a premier classic car restoration facility, showroom and office. Its location is synergistic to the America On Wheels museum of over-the-road transportation directly across the street built eight years ago, which is collaborating on the project.
New owners ACR Development received approval of the building’s sale from the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority in late May. They are planning to invest $2 million in renovations and will preserve as much of the building’s historic features as possible include the entire facade and overall architectural concept.
Known today as the Klein Building, the 13,650 square foot facility will be renovated to include space for 12 cars in the showroom on the building’s first floor and up to 15 cars in the restoration shop at the building’s rear, as well as office space. It will also include two retail spaces and seven residential luxury lofts with covered garage spaces.
Currently based in Breinigsville, RB Collection Restoration Center is co-founded by brothers Al and Alex Ruozzi. It restores classic cars, performs a range of maintenance services, and also buys, sells and trades classic vehicles. The business’ relocation to the larger, new facility will require the hiring of 10 to 15 additional staff members. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall.