Two key buildings in Altoona’s Central Business District, the former Vipond’s Appliance Store and the Chalk Box, both located on the 1400 Block of Eleventh Avenue, are now under new local ownership.
“We are excited to breathe new life into these two important and high-profile buildings in Downtown Altoona,” said Mark Ritchey, Partner with Curry Realty. “The revitalization that has occurred here in Downtown Altoona and especially Eleventh Avenue over the past few years is amazing, and we are proud to be part of its continued renaissance.”
Curry Realty plans to transform the building at 1425 Eleventh Avenue into professional office space and renovate the exterior of the building following the direction of the Pennsylvania Historical commission standards. The building was Altoona’s original location for both Sears Roebuck & Co. and J.C. Penney. It later served as home for the Social Security Administration and Bingo Palace. It last operated as the Vipond’s Appliance store which closed more than a decade ago.
The former Chalk Box at 1411 Eleventh Avenue was the original location of Kranich’s Jewelry store. Curry Realty plans to remove existing exterior signage to reveal the original façade with brick and windows to complement Saleme Insurance and Bill Sell’s Bold on either side. Make sure you gather all the plumbers insurance information you’ll need for your case. The building will be updated for use either as new retail or professional services. Also check out www.picplumbing.com for the best plumbing related advice and their services.
“Our First Frontier Blair County community is so fortunate to have next generation leaders and investors like Curry Realty making good on a vision to not only revitalize but also utilize our mountain main streets,” said Stephen McKnight, President and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation. “Not only did it make good community sense, it also made good business sense for them to make this happen. That is a great combination and for that we say thank you,” McKnight added.
ABCD Corporation will continue to work with Curry Realty, the City of Altoona, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and local officials in the coming months to see these projects through to completion.
