An Oct. 30 celebratory ribbon-cutting signaled the opening of the new Dream Boyd Theatre Apartments as hundreds of residents, business owners and public officials attended for an opportunity to tour the building and see the amenities offered for those who rent there.

“It’s the celebration of a dream and stunning tribute to the Boyd Theatre,” said Tammy Wendling, senior vice president of Bethlehem initiatives, Lehigh Valley Chamber. The Boyd Theatre had been in decline for 10 years according to owner Plamen Ayvazov, founder and CEO of Monocacy Builders.

As residents and visitors enter the main floor lobby they are drawn to one of the Boyd Theatre’s projectors in an alcove and a refurbished chandelier overhead. The lobby opens into a large area with a gas fireplace and plush seating restored Boyd Theatre seats.

A small movie theater complete with popcorn machine, an outdoor plaza with grills, an exercise room and outdoor swimming pool surround the lobby area. The six-story building has 205 units with a variety of configurations ranging from 415 to 867 square-feet, and rents beginning at $1,600 for an efficiency unit. Sixty parking spaces are available for residents below the building.

Two commercial spaces are included at street level, one of which will house Paris Baguette.

A tour of a one-bedroom unit on the first floor showed an open concept kitchen, dining and living room area with a laundry closet. There is ample cupboard storage space, a dishwasher and an electric range in the kitchen. The bedroom has a nice sized closet with barn door entry.

As Bethlehem resident Krisann Drust-Lustig toured the first floor lobby area she noted, “The design of the place is very presentable. If you can afford to live here it’s a nice place to go.”

“We want to welcome new residents to our downtown,” said Mayor J. William Reynolds, “and it’ll provides more customers for our downtown businesses.”

Don Wenner, founder and CEO of DLP Capital said, “We’re excited for turning it into what it is today.”

Ayvazov added, “Dream Boyd will not only offer modern amenities, but it will also contribute to the local economy and enhance the overall quality of life in the area.”