Category:Hess Brothers Parking Deck, Allentown, Pennsylvania

A multi-level, 7-story parking deck, with a capacity of 800 cars and small trucks was originally proposed by Max Hess, Jr., in 1968. It was built to accommodate shoppers for the Hess Brothers Department Store. It provided validated store parking through the Park and Shop cooperative along with a direct walking connection to the store's fourth floor.

Once approval was received for its construction, Hess's bought several properties and parcels along North 8th Street along with the 900 block of Linden, one of them being the historic Eagle Hotel. The Hess's Auto Shop on 9th Street was also closed and rebuilt at 9th and Chew Street. Construction began in February 1969 and the deck opened on November 1969. Hess's parking deck also provided parking for the Allentown Central Business and Shopping District as other Hamilton Street merchants in the Park & Shop cooperative benefited from it. The multi-story parking deck was a relatively new architectural concept when it opened, and it was the first large parking deck in Allentown.

In December 1991, the Park & Shop cooperative, co-owners of the deck, was taken over by the Allentown Parking authority. When Hess Brothers (As the Bon Ton) closed in 1996, the deck was taken over by the Parking Authority. Today the deck remains in operation, and is used by the patrons of the shops and restaurants located on the 800 and 900 blocks of Hamilton Street.

It is the last remaining major part of Hess Brothers Department Store.