ArtsQuest breaks ground on $32 million Creative Factory on Bethlehem’s SouthSide

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest broke ground Tuesday on the ArtsQuest Creative Factory, a $32 million facility expanding access to visual, performing, and educational arts on Bethlehem’s South Side.

The five-story, 78,500-square-foot building replaces the Banana Factory, which was demolished in May, and will serve as a year-round community hub.

Elected officials, business leaders, and Bethlehem residents gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, including state Sen.

Lisa Boscola, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, and ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert.

“This is more than just a building — it’s a promise to our community,” Hilgert said. “We know that access to the arts improves academic achievement, emotional well-being, and mental health. The Creative Factory will help students succeed, artists thrive, and communities connect because the arts are not a luxury — they are a necessity.”

The event also featured remarks from representatives of PPL, Air Products, Boyle Construction, and other capital campaign partners.

ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel opened and closed the ceremony, calling the project a long-term investment in the region’s cultural and creative future.

“This isn’t just a groundbreaking — it’s a commitment to future generations of artists, students, and families,” Mosel said.

What the Creative Factory will offer

The facility will include increased classroom space, modern galleries, 36 artist studios, a comedy venue, and the Martin Guitar Recording Studio.

It will also feature a Communications Pathway program in partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District and a makerspace presented by Air Products.

Sustainability features include energy-efficient systems, water-saving fixtures, and recycled materials from the original Banana Factory used in the new building’s foundation.

The Creative Factory will be open to the public seven days a week and is expected to expand ArtsQuest’s capacity for free and low-cost programs such as camps, exhibitions, and arts education.

Economic and community impact

The project is expected to deliver a significant economic boost to the region. Construction is projected to create nearly 500 jobs and generate $46 million in economic activity.

Once operational, the facility will support over 100 jobs and contribute over $14 million annually to the local economy.

Multiple feasibility studies concluded that replacing the outdated Banana Factory was more cost-effective than renovation.

The former six-building complex served the community for over 20 years, but would have required $6.4 million in repairs without expanding capacity.

‘Creating spaces that serve people’

Donor recognition opportunities remain available for those interested in supporting what Hilgert described as a “once-in-a-generation” investment in the Lehigh Valley’s cultural life.

ArtsQuest plans to host beam-raising ceremonies, hard hat tours, and a grand opening celebration as construction progresses.

The Creative Factory is funded through public and private support, and it is led by capital campaign co-chairs Gregg and Cindy Feinberg.

“We’ve always believed in adaptive land reuse and creating spaces that serve people,” Gregg Feinberg said. “This new Creative Factory will honor our past, serve the needs of today, and inspire the future.”