Rocco Ayvazov, developer and owner of The Dream Boyd Apartments.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — On Wednesday, the son of one of the main developers involved in the Dream Boyd Theatre Apartments project cut the ribbon to officially open the complex.
It marks the end of The Boyd's life as a "blighted" former cinema dating back to 1934, and a new era for it as an apartment building — with plenty of nods to its history throughout the building.
Through the main doors, a giant silver movie projector sits in an enclave — bringing back memories for many at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"So it's another huge step forward for our downtown, and also helped with the transition from our core downtown into our surrounding neighborhoods."
Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
One of the people with fond memories of The Boyd as a theater was Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds.
"I think I saw one of my first movies here. I came here to see Back to the Future. I came here to see Nightmare Before Christmas," Reynolds said. "I saw Independence Day here.
"So back in those days when you could have a single movie on a movie screen for 6, 7, 8, months — I certainly came here."
Beyond the nostalgia, Reynolds said he's excited as the mayor of Bethlehem for what this means for the bigger picture of the city.
1 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
Zachary Fortier, community manager for Dream Boyd Theatre, stands outside the former movie theater on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
2 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the west side of the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
3 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
The new swimming pool at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
4 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the residents' area near the entrance at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
5 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a one bedroom apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
6 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a one bedroom apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
7 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the residents' theater at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
8 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a two bedroom apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
9 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a two bedroom apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
10 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a bedroom at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
11 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a bathroom in a two bedroom apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
12 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is a washer/dryer in an apartment at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
13 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
The Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
14 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
A woman cleans windows at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
15 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the entrance at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
16 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
17 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the residents' mail area at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
18 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
A workman sets tile at the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
19 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the soon-to-be Paris Baguette Restaurant adjacent to the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
20 of 20 — Tour of Dream Boyd Theatre site in Bethlehem
This is the rear of the Dream Boyd Theatre project on West Broad Street in Bethlehem on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. This is where residents will enter and exit with their cars. Scenes of the former Boyd Theatre which is being transformed into apartments and other mixed-use purposes.
Donna S. Fisher/Donna Fisher Photography, LLC
'Another huge step forward for our downtown'
"So it's another huge step forward for our downtown and also helped with the transition from our core downtown into our surrounding neighborhoods. And we couldn't be more excited for the project to come to the theater."
From Rep. Susan Wild's office, staffer Megan Beste delivered a commendation at the ceremony, citing benefits to the local economy and housing roster.
Julian Abraham
/
LehighValleyNews.com
A classic silver-screen projector at The Dream Boyd apartments.
Neville Gardner with the Downtown Bethlehem Business Association also delivered remarks, praising the project and its impact on the neighborhood.
Previous form
Throughout the event, multiple speakers referred to the previous property as "blighted."
The space was once a bowling alley before becoming the Boyd Theatre in 1934 and closed in 2011 after repeated roof leaks and other structural challenges.
"What was here, folks? It was a blighted property,"
Bobby Gunther Walsh
The project, owned by DLP Capital, was the result of a bit of a gamble.
"What was here, folks? It was a blighted property," radio host Bobby Gunther Walsh said at the event.
"And when [Don Wenner] said he was going to buy this thing, I thought he was nuts. Seriously. I thought, 'How is he going to do this?' But he did it."
"He partners with people like Rocco [Ayvazov] and other people to turn what was a blighted area into something this beautiful, and 215 more families are now bringing business to Downtown Bethlehem."
More information about the apartment building is on their website.
I’m a general assignment reporter for LehighValleyNews.com, but have a special interest in all things quirky, crime, or meaningful. I joined Lehigh Valley Public Media in 2022 after completing a master’s degree at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Before that, I reported for CTV News Atlantic in Canada and spent some time in commercial radio. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of King’s College, and a bachelor’s in criminology from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I love my job, but when I’m not at work I enjoy fitness, humor, meditation and playing drums. Contact me at JulianA@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8185.
