ArtsQuest

Preserving History Through Modern Construction

The transformation of ArtsQuest’s historic Turn & Grind Shop showcases how Klover is helping bring new life to a 155-year-old Bethlehem Steel building through strategic prefabrication, detailed coordination, custom exterior systems, and creative field execution.

Working alongside Boyle Construction and the project team, Klover combined off-site prefabrication with field expertise to help transform the approximately 27,000-square-foot historic structure into the Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, a new ArtsQuest venue for year-round arts, entertainment, exhibitions, and community programming.

From setting all prefabricated exterior wall panels in just seven working days to installing custom ATAS metal siding, the project demonstrates how modern construction methods can accelerate schedules while respecting the character and history of an iconic structure.

Project Snapshot

Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Market: Commercial / Arts & Entertainment

Project: Historic Turn & Grind Shop at SteelStacks

Building Size: Approximately 27,000 SF

General Contractor: Boyle Construction

Delivery: Coordination, Prefabrication & Field Installation

Key Achievement: All prefabricated exterior wall panels set in 7 working days

Services Provided

• Prefabricated Exterior Wall Systems
• Off-Site Manufacturing
• Exterior Wall Panel Installation
• Custom Metal Siding Installation
• BIM-Driven Coordination
• Field Carpentry
• Project Management & Field Coordination
• Specialized Access & Installation Solutions

The Challenge

Transforming a 155-year-old industrial building into a modern arts and entertainment venue required Klover to work within the realities of an existing historic structure while meeting the demands of contemporary design and construction.

The exterior required careful coordination between the general contractor, design team, manufacturers, prefabrication operations, and field crews. Custom architectural siding, long metal sheets, unique transitions, and challenging access conditions meant that installation could not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. The team needed to preserve design intent while finding practical solutions that kept construction moving safely and efficiently.

The Solution

Klover worked closely with Boyle Construction and the project team to coordinate and prefabricate the exterior wall system before installation began. Moving critical work into a controlled off-site environment allowed the field team to install all of Klover’s prefabricated exterior wall panels in only seven working days, helping accelerate the building enclosure.

Klover also collaborated with Allentown-based ATAS International to execute the building’s distinctive metal exterior. Custom-cut panels, trim, transitions, reveals, and other details were carefully coordinated to align with windows and architectural features.

When conditions on the north elevation made traditional installation methods impractical, Klover adapted. The team used a swing-stage suspended scaffold system to safely install metal sheets reaching approximately 30 feet in length, demonstrating the combination of planning and field problem-solving required to execute complex construction.

Project Impact

• All prefabricated exterior wall panels installed in 7 working days
• Approximately 27,000-square-foot historic structure transformed for a new use
• Custom ATAS metal siding coordinated with a local Lehigh Valley manufacturer
• Specialized field solution developed for approximately 30-foot-long metal sheets
• Swing-stage scaffold provided an approximately 40-foot working platform
• Detailed exterior coordination supported precise reveals, transitions, and window alignment
• Modern prefabrication helped accelerate construction while working within a historic Bethlehem Steel structure

Why This Project Matters

The Turn & Grind Shop represents more than the renovation of an old building. It connects Bethlehem’s industrial heritage with the city’s future as a destination for arts, entertainment, and community.

Architectural details reinforce that connection, including windows incorporating binary code that spells “ART FOR ALL.” For Klover, the project demonstrates how prefabrication, local collaboration, skilled field leadership, and creative problem-solving can work together to preserve an important piece of history while preparing it for an entirely new purpose.

Klover Differentiator

Built for the Future. Respecting the Past.

Klover combines prefabrication, BIM-driven coordination, manufacturing expertise, and experienced field execution to solve challenging construction conditions while helping project teams build faster and with greater certainty. At ArtsQuest, that approach helped transform a 155-year-old industrial landmark without losing sight of the history that makes the building unique.