BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Steel’s massive Turn and Grind Shop on the SteelStacks campus will reopen as early as 2027 as a revitalized programming, exhibit and festival venue, ArtsQuest announced Wednesday.
The renovated 26,000-square-foot brick structure will have Lehigh Valley Health Networkas its title sponsor, LVHN and ArtsQuest announced at a gala news conference.
ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert said the new life for the 150-year-old building will be "the first step to the next 125 years."
"It's a brand-new chapter in an amazing story."Artsquest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert
"It's a brand-new chapter in an amazing story," Hilgert said.
The building, behind the Bethlehem Visitors Center on the SteelStacks campus, was acquired in 2019 by ArtsQuest, which uses it for storage.
The idea to use the building as a new venue first was announced nearly five years ago, kicked off with a $1.5 million pledged by the foundation of Lehigh Valley industrial gas company Air Products.
LVHN will be the Official Health Care Partner of ArtsQuest SteelStacks, naming partner of The Turn & Grind Shop and Presenting Sponsor for the Bethlehem Visitor Center.
Neither ArtsQuest nor LVHN announced what LVHN's contribution to the project would be.
"We will be here and be here every step of the way," said Dr. Joe Cacchione, chief executive officer of Jefferson Health, which acquired LVHN in August.
Main Christkindlmarkt, Oktoberfest venue
The work is proposed to include a 15,000-square-foot public programming space that could feature theater and dance programs, music concerts, arts exhibitions and educational activities.
It would be the main venue for ArtsQuest's Christkindlmarkt holiday market, its Oktoberfest and a main stage at Musikfest, Hilgert said.
Musikfest’s main Steel Stage typically is erected adjacent to the building.
It also will be an event space and house traveling exhibits, and provide event space for private and corporate parties, similar to the Bethlehem Visitor Center, which is the oldest structure on the former Bethlehem Steel site.
It also could be used for performances throughout the year. ArtsQuest previously has said it would include a performance stage for smaller national and international performers and regional acts.
ArtsQuest also previously said the Turn and Grind also could provide climate-controlled green-room space for the main stage acts, giving them showers and other amenities.
The Turn and Grind building has long been eyed for a prominent role at SteelStacks.
Bethlehem Steel used the building for part of the “cold finishing” process in steelmaking — improving the look of steel bars and their mechanical durability and ductility.
When ArtsQuest’s plans for SteelStacks were unveiled in 2007, the Turn and Grind Shop was to have been the second phase of the arts campus’ development.
ArtsQuest then envisioned a 30,000-square-foot concert/exhibit venue with a 3,000-seat capacity.
But by 2008, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, now Wind Creek Casino Event Center, was developing its 50,000-square-foot multipurpose event center that could hold concerts for 3,700 just down the street.
Re-Imagine! That
ArtsQuest approached the health network in 2022 as part of its Re-Imagine! That Capital Campaign.
Lehigh Valley Health Network, which merged with Jefferson Health in August, has been a partnership of ArtsQuest since 1990, according to Rich Levy, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of LVHN.
Investing in the arts makes sense — at least from a healthcare perspective.
"We are thankful for the culture that we bring to the region and it makes us feel good about keeping people healthy."Rich Levy, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of LVHN
"The New York Times just did an article that showed that the arts not only is really good for mental health, but it's also great for lowering blood pressure and anxiety.
"So found this a natural partner to have the largest healthcare system in the region partner with something like ArtsQuest. It just lifts us up," he said.
According to Levy, the new partnership is the largest ever for LVHN.
"We are thankful for the culture that we bring to the region and it makes us feel good about keeping people healthy," he said.
"We're about keeping people out of the hospital, believe it or not, and the arts is such a great way for both mental and physical health. We intent to practice what we preach."
ArtsQuest said it's conducting safety and environmental studies and blueprint designs of the building's interior structure before work begins.
