Just over an hour outside Philadelphia sits a hidden architectural marvel that survived the Great Depression and outlasted every institution around it. Once a historic bank, the Lehigh Valley Trust Building in downtown Allentown has been beautifully reimagined as Vault 634, a lavish event venue. Beneath a breathtaking 900-square-foot stained-glass ceiling, this local icon now plays host to elegant weddings, immersive classical concerts, and high-end galas. Here is a look inside Eastern Pennsylvania’s best-kept historical secret.
Vault 634: a historic 1911 Gilded Age landmark
The Lehigh Valley Trust Company was incorporated in Allentown in 1886, setting up at 636 Hamilton Street before constructing a new building at 634 Hamilton in 1909. Then came the real statement. In 1911, a total reconstruction began combining the 634 and 636 Hamilton Street properties into a single landmark. The building served as a bank and when the Great Depression hit, the Lehigh Valley Trust Company was the only institution to not fail. Consequently, it became a symbol of stability, matching its solid design that was a real conversation piece.
The exterior is classical, elegant and commanding, featuring four Corinthian-style pillars fashioned from Vermont White Marble, stone lion ornamentations, and an antique brass doorway that hides treasured architectural features.
Step through those brass doors and into Vault 634, and you’ll find the building’s crown jewel—The Great Hall—crowned by a breathtaking 900-square-foot stained glass skylight. It boasts a charming Beaux-Arts style, complete with gold-leafed crown molding and five chandeliers from the former Hess’s department store. Thanks to a $5 million restoration, the venue was reopened featuring its original chandeliers, stained glass and historic bank vaults, with an added speakeasy situated in the basement.
Upcoming concerts at Vault 634 in Allentown
This season, new Candlelight concerts are coming to Vault 634 to pay homage to some of music’s greatest artists, including Coldplay and ABBA. Thanks to the series’ signature glow and the new audio-visual systems that have been integrated throughout, it will make for an incredible live music experience for any music lover. Unless you’re eyeing the venue for a private event, you won’t regret checking these performances out.
17 July 2026 18:30
17 July 2026 20:45 + more dates
Where is Vault 634 and how to get to Allentown from Philly
📍Where: 634 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101
🚗 By car: the drive takes roughly 1 hour 15 mins via I-476 N to US-22 W, or via the PA Turnpike.
🚌Intercity buses: Flixbus, Greyhound and Megabus — stop at the Allentown Transportation Center at 112 N. 6th St.
