Martin Tower - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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Martin Tower stands as a 21-story skyscraper at 1170 8th Avenue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, measuring 101.2 meters or 332 feet tall. This towering structure holds the title of the city's tallest building and the greater Lehigh Valley's highest point, surpassing the PPL Building in Allentown by a significant 8 feet or 2.4 meters. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since June 28, 2010, Martin Tower boasts an impressive history that began in 1969. Although its framework was completed within a short timeframe, insufficient funds stalled the project, leaving the skeleton of the tower dominating Bethlehem's western horizon for two years before work resumed. Finally, after a three-year construction phase, Martin Tower opened its doors in 1972. Bethlehem Steel spared no expense in creating their new headquarters, naming it after then-chairman Edmund F. Martin. In 1972, Martin Tower proudly served as the headquarters of Bethlehem Steel. Its unique plus-sign shape was designed to maximize corner and window offices, a testament to innovative design. Decorated by New York-based designers, Martin Tower's original offices featured wooden furniture, doorknobs bearing the company logo, and handwoven carpets. As a symbol of the Lehigh Valley's economic heights in the 1970s, Martin Tower stood as a powerful statement of Bethlehem Steel's dominance in the steel industry. At its peak, each floor housed a different department, reflecting the company's sprawling operations. In 1973, during its first full year of occupancy, Bethlehem Steel achieved an impressive feat: producing 22.3 million tons of raw steel and shipping 16.3 million tons of finished steel, while generating a staggering $207 million profit. The following year saw even greater success. However, by 1987, Martin Tower had become largely vacant as many Steel workers departed due to various reasons. Subsequently, the building was put up for sale, and other companies occupied both the tower and the Annex building. In 2001, Bethlehem Steel filed for bankruptcy, abandoning Martin Tower in 2003. Several companies remained until Receivable Management Services left the building in 2007, leaving it completely vacant. A 2015 video documenting "Historic Martin Tower" offers a glimpse of the exterior and campus areas. Additionally, plans to construct a second tower were proposed by Bethlehem Steel, which would have connected the two structures via the Annex. Haines Lundberg Waehler designed Martin Tower, while George A. Fuller Construction Co. of New York handled its construction. This renowned firm had previously worked on notable projects such as the Flat Iron Building in 1903 and the CBS Building in 1963.