Longtime Easton eyesore has new owner
Bethlehem developer wants to renovate, not demolish building
A blighted building on Easton’s Northampton Street that was slated for demolition is getting a second chance under Borko Milosev.
The Bethlehem developer confirmed this week that he purchased 505-507 Northampton St., a dilapidated apartment building formerly owned by an affiliate of the Rock Church, and plans to renovate the building into six apartment units with two ground-floor commercial spaces.
The loft-style apartments will be around 1,000 square feet each, with one bedroom and a washer and dryer.
On the commercial space, one section will be 1,000 square feet and the other will be 700 square feet.
Milosev anticipates the commercial spaces could be occupied by a retail tenant, a coffee shop or dessert place. He said the space is likely too small for a full-scale restaurant, though he would be open to combining both spaces for one tenant.
The building was added to the city’s blight list in 2017.
Last year it was deemed uninhabitable, but Milosev said his engineers, architects and officials from the city think the building can be salvaged.
Developer Art Fletcher, a stone mason and chief financial officer of Burlington Development and Investment Group LLC, had been under contract to buy 505-507 Northampton St. He renovated the Historic Hooper House next door, which is still owned by the Rock Church.
On Thursday, Fletcher confirmed the sale fell through because of a dispute with the former property owner, Men’s Community House LLC, which is affiliated with the Rock Church.
Kevin Santos, the eldest son of Rock Church founder Sam Santos, directed questions to his brother, Rock Church Pastor Chris Santos, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Fletcher planned to demolish the 505-507 building, and told The Morning Call last year that he was considering building a $17.6 million high-end apartment complex there with underground parking and retail space for up to eight tenants.
The building is among a handful Milosev has purchased on Northampton Street in recent years. Many of the buildings were dilapidated before Milosev renovated them into apartments.
His other projects include 133-135 and 137-139 Northampton St., across the street from the Grand Eastonian Hotel & Suites. Milosev purchased those properties in 2014, renovated them and has since sold them.
In 2017 he renovated and has since sold 657 Northampton St.
Milosev also owns 118-120 Northampton St., which he recently unveiled as luxury, twobedroom apartments going for about $1,400 per month.
The 100 block of Northampton Street is the gateway between Easton and Phillipsburg, while 500 block is the gateway to the city’s burgeoning West Ward.
“I think downtown Easton is probably one of the hottest real estate markets and one of the most desirable areas in the Lehigh Valley right now,” Milosev said when asked why he’s been so focused on Easton’s Northampton Street corridor.
According to Northampton County property records, 505507 Northampton St. was purchased by 505 Northampton LLC for $150,000 on Jan. 18.
Milosev estimates the renovations will cost about $500,000.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said the building at 505-507 “has been a problem child for the city for many years.”
“If anyone can make it happen, it’s Borko. He’s taken some pretty rough buildings in our city and kept them from demolition,” Panto said.
The 500-600 block is shaping up to be an “important block,” Panto added, pointing to nearby developments like the Nurture Nature Center and Two Rivers Brewing, which he said transformed the area.
“When I was a kid, that whole intersection at Sixth and Northampton streets was one of the worst in the city. You stayed away from it,” Panto said.
The city is still awaiting word on what the next step is for the 250-year-old Hooper House. Milosev said there have been no discussions about incorporating that building into his project.
Last year, Kevin Santos told The Morning Call he wanted to lease the Hooper House to a commercial tenant.
So far, the city has not been notified of any plans, said Easton’s Director of Planning and Codes Stephen Nowroski.
Rock Church has been in a decadeslong battle with city officials, who have said the group needs to clean up its properties.
ctatu@mcall.com Twitter @ChristinaTatu 610-820-6583