For many years, a look at larger commercial real estate deals in the Lehigh Valley involved a large plot of land with a proposed warehouse. Sometimes, it was medical buildings switching hands as the health care industry in the region continued to evolve.

In 2025, the Lehigh Valley’s biggest commercial deal involved something that could very much be part of its future. Ironically, the land was a part of its industrial past.

Those driving on Route 222 on the very western edge of the Valley in Upper Macungie Township may have noticed a series of industrial buildings sitting on top of a hill overlooking vineyards, farms and the Premise Made chocolate and ice cream shop.

The signs on the highway, just as you’re getting ready to enter the new roundabout with Schantz Road, indicate that the buildings make up Tek Park and it houses a few businesses. That 137-acre complex was sold in October to a company that wants to expand its data center on the land.

It is one of numerous Lehigh Valley data center projects being discussed at planning meetings or on the drawing board.

The Tek Park deal was one of several multimillion dollar deals in the Valley this past year. And, yes, warehouses were involved, too.

Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., said the commercial real estate market continued to rise through the year.

“The commercial real estate market remains strong in the Lehigh Valley,” Cunningham said. “The number of development projects in 2025 was a little higher than the previous year and property values remain high. Despite some upheaval around trade and tariffs, project activity was strong and we saw growth in major strategic sectors like manufacturing and the life sciences.”

Here are some of the more notable commercial real estate transactions during the year:

9999 Hamilton Blvd., Upper Macungie Township

Price: $175 million

Buyer: Tierpoint LLC

Seller: Hamilton Tek Partners LP

Background: TierPoint completed the acquisition of the nine-building, 137-acre complex in October. The St. Louis company was already leasing a building at Tek Park for a data center, which the company said is its largest.

TierPoint said it has started a 100-megawatt power expansion that it expects to complete in the second half of 2026. TierPoint clients at Tek Park include large technology service providers that are using advanced cooling solutions in support of artificial intelligence and other compute-intensive workloads.

TierPoint told LVEDC that it could add up to 100 jobs. The expansion project, including work on the utility substation, could support an estimated 350 or more construction and engineering jobs.

Tek Park was opened by AT&T in 1987 as a Bell Labs research center. Other current tenants include Aesculap Biologics and Aesculap Implant Systems, members of the B. Braun family of companies.

A data center company bought a Lehigh Valley industrial park for $175 million, plans expansion

4728 E. Valley Road, Upper Saucon Township

Price: $150 million

Buyer: Lehigh E Valley RD Ind Owner LLC

Seller: Kay-Lehigh LLC

Background: Lehigh County property records show the 118-acre parcel along East Valley Road was sold in September to a limited liability company in Clayton, Missouri, owned by Panattoni Development.

Panattoni describes itself as “one of the largest privately held, full-service real estate development companies in the world” on its website.

Upper Saucon Manager Thomas Beil said the township has already approved the 309 Commerce Center, a complex consisting of three warehouses totaling 1.77 million square feet. The land is near Route 309 and Center Valley Parkway.

Beil said dirt is already being moved for the project.

Land on Route 309 in Lehigh County slated for 3 warehouses is sold for $150 million

4700 Bath Pike, Hanover Township, Northampton County

Price: $35.9 million

Seller: 4700 Bath Pike Propco LLC

Buyer: Columbia Wegman Hanover LLC

Background: The Vero at Bethlehem, a retirement home, was purchased by the limited liability company, owned by Sabra, a California real estate investment trust specializing in health care real estate.

The 102,172-square-foot building sits on 6 acres along Route 512, a mile north of Route 22.

Built in 2023, the Vero specializes in personal and memory care, according to its website. Amenities include a full-service restaurant and bistro, a salon and barbershop, a game room and a library. It is managed by Legend Senior Living.

Lehigh Valley senior living home sold for about $36 million

4815 Tilghman St., South Whitehall Township

Price: $28.2 million

Seller: Yasin N Khan MD and E S Khan MD

Buyer: Elliott Bay Medical Properties Holdings IV LLC

Background: The medical building complex was sold in April, according to Lehigh County property records.

It houses Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Center for Orthopedic Medicine – Tilghman, along with an urgent care facility.

Seattle-based Elliott Bay is a real estate investment company that has acquired, owns and manages health care properties leased to specialty care providers and health systems across the U.S.

301 Town Center Blvd., Forks Township

Price: $25.5 million

Seller: Shops at Muncy Creek LP

Buyer: CFE Easton LLC

Background: This shopping center just north of Easton along Sullivan Trail is anchored by a Giant supermarket and was sold in November.

According to Northampton County records, the new owner is based in an office building in Sayville, New York.

2141 Commerce Center Blvd., Bethlehem

Price: $15.1 million

Seller: Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc.

Buyer: BGO-Petrucci Bethlehem Cold Storage Owner LLC

Background: Developer J.G. Petrucci is planning to build two warehouses on the 18-acre site in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII, just off Route 412 near a Wawa convenience store and baseball fields.

The first warehouse will be 216,000 square feet and will be used for cold storage. The other will be 101,000 square feet.

Northampton County records said the parcel was sold in September.

610 Uhler Road, Forks Township

Price: $12.35 million

Seller: Uhler Road LP

Buyer: ABR Realty 1

Background: The building houses A&H Sportsware Co., which makes women’s bathing suits.

The buyer is based in a private residence in Bucks County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.

1492 Van Buren Road, Palmer Township

Price: $11.6 million

Seller: Exchange 12 LLC

Buyer: 1492 Van Buren Inc.

Background: A joint venture including developer Lou Pektor is planning to build a $110 million residential development on the 32-acre that includes more than 400 apartments and townhomes.

The land was purchased in June from developer Abe Atiyeh.

The project has received all approvals and construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2026.

The multifamily community will feature seven apartment buildings totaling 320 units, with 92 townhomes. It will include a 10-acre park between the apartments and townhouses.

Lehigh Valley developer Lou Pektor pushes ahead on project that will create more than 400 homes

6300 Lower Macungie Road, Lower Macungie Township

Price: $9.4 million

Seller: Danweber Land Trust

Buyer: Lower Macungie Township

Background: In April, township commissioners voted unanimously to buy the 45-acre farm field where developer Jason Danweber proposed building 180 apartments. The plan raised worries about traffic and flooding and prompted commissioners to hire a lawyer to oppose it.

The tract across from Lower Macungie Middle School will remain open space dedicated to recreation.

Lower Macungie Township OKs agreement to buy, preserve Danweber land

901 Hamilton St., Allentown

Price: $9 million

Seller: PPL Electric Utilities Corp.

Buyer: DDCAP Allentown LLC

Background: Regulatory approval for the sale of PPL’s former headquarters in downtown Allentown was given in July 2024 and the sale was announced that March. It was finalized in January 2025.

Buyer D&D Realty Group of Scranton purchased the 24-story building at Ninth and Hamilton streets after PPL relocated its HQ down the street to Two City Center. It plans to convert the former utility headquarters into a residential building with 112 apartments averaging 1,100 square feet.

D&D is known for its redevelopment projects, converting properties into mixed-used commercial and residential spaces. It has renovated old buildings in downtowns in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area for several years.

Sale of iconic PPL Building in Allentown receives approval from state commission

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com.