An art exhibit opening reception featuring work from Bethlehem photographer Glenn Koehler and special behind-the-scenes tour of one of Bethlehem’s newest cornerstone businesses highlight an evening celebrating new beginnings at Bethlehem’s historic Flatiron Building during the SouthSide Arts District’s January First Friday.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the Flatiron Building will host a reception celebrating the recent renovation of its first floor by interior design firm Swine Design with a brand-new exhibit featuring the photography of Glenn Koehler. A South Bethlehem resident, Koehler’s work has encompassed everything from Hurricane Katrina to presidential visits and campaign trails. His recent work depicting the last days inside Bethlehem’s iconic Martin Tower and subsequent implosion received considerable local attention.

“My intention for the Flatiron exhibit is to showcase a wide variety of Bethlehem scenery, from classic shots of the blast furnaces to viewpoints and locations rarely seen,” Koehler said. “I hope my work allows people to not only enjoy some of Bethlehem’s beautiful vistas, but to provide perspectives that are different from the way nearly everyone has seen the city.”

The event will feature additional photography from Koehler in the building’s community room on the fifth floor, along with a beer tasting courtesy of neighboring Seven Sirens Brewing Company.

The building currently houses Wells Fargo Bank, WDIY 88.1 FM, Lehigh University’s offices of Government and State Affairs and Communications and Public Affairs, and The Stone House Group, among others.

Next door, another historic structure is being rehabilitated to provide mixed-use commercial and residential space with architectural design by East Spruce Design Build and construction by Elevate Construction Partnership. Seven Sirens Brewing Company is finalizing the transformation of an underutilized parking deck into a sizeable 8,500-square-foot brewery and taproom. Originally a company store for Bethlehem Steel, and then a car dealership for 50 years, the brewery and taproom are part of a $4 million adaptive reuse and urban infill project spearheaded by developer Larry Eighmy of Sycamore Hill Farm Development and project managed by The Stone House Group that includes a new district magistrate office and nine apartments. The Flatiron Flats apartments will be available in 2020.

“We’re excited to welcome the public into these wonderful spaces and show them what the revitalization and reuse of buildings can accomplish,” Eighmy said. “The rehabilitation of the Flatiron Building, and now the introduction of Seven Sirens represents a new frontier in local historic structures can be adapted to serve the 21st Century.”

The evening will include behind-the-scenes tours of the new Seven Sirens brewery space; the first time the public will get a glimpse inside the completely transformed building.

“It has been a lengthy process, but we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Jordan Serulneck, a partner in the brewery. “Being able to invite people into the brewery for the first time is exciting, and we’re looking forward to showing off what we’ve been working on over the past three years and having patrons try our beers. Combining it with a new art exhibit and the Flatiron’s new look on First Friday is just icing on the cake.”

Contributed article