Hotel Sterling
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 and 1890 in the First Ward, Allentown's first industrial district, the Sterling Hotel is a three-story rectangular brick building in the Victorian Romanesque style with Queen Anne and Eastlake influences. Brick pilasters divide its facade into three bays beneath a large molded metal cornice of roundheaded arches. The middle bay carries a gabled parapet and a sculpted metal hotel name and date, and stained glass and multi-paned windows appear on every story. Inside, original woodwork includes the bar, backbar, dining partition and a balustrade rising to the third floor, and the molded plaster ceiling survives, though in disrepair. It is regarded as the only High Victorian period hotel in Allentown still operating in its original use. It served railroad passengers from nearby stations and lunchtime workers from local industries, including the Adelaide Silk Mill directly behind it. Its architecture, detailing and high integrity make it one of the city's best late nineteenth-century commercial buildings.
Significance in brief: The building is argued to be significant for its architecture, with an eclectic Victorian Romanesque design, Queen Anne and Eastlake detailing, an elaborate metal cornice, and a high degree of integrity. It is described as the only High Victorian period hotel in Allentown still functioning in its original use. It is also significant in commerce as a hotel and restaurant serving travelers and workers from nearby railroads and local industries.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84003469, listed May 3, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 343-345 Hamilton St., Allentown |
|---|---|
| County | Lehigh County |
| Listed | May 3, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003469 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Victorian Romanesque with Queen Anne and Eastlake influences |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior altered only slightly, with two doors and the flat wall sign replaced; interior original; still functioning in its original use as a hotel. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.60536, -75.46155 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84003469.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15225878
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.