Oct. 9, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The former St. Francis Society social club on Fourth Street in Allentown may be converted into a 33-unit rooming house.
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board will consider the appeal of developer Milvil LLC on Oct. 26, according to a notice from the city.
Milvil acquired the 501-503 N. Fourth St. property in 2023 for $325,000. The St. Francis Society closed earlier that year.
Here’s a note from the former social club’s Facebook page:
“After 118 years of St Francis Society Oldie Dances, Bowling banquets, Dart gathering, Card Playing, Bingo, Casino Nights, Night at Races, Road Kill Parties, and many things that happened before some of us were born. This Ride is coming to an end.”
Milvil LLC is seeking zoning relief to proceed with the high-density use “with 21 units not meeting the required 250 sf. (square feet) per unit, exceeding the max. of 6 units on a single lot,” according to a legal notice from Allentown.
At 250 square feet, a lodging could be about 15.5 feet by 16 feet. Milvil wants some to be smaller than that, according to the notice.
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board will consider the Milvil appeal and others at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 435 Hamilton St.
Meeting agendas are subject to change. Check the city website closer to the date.
