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The $15.4 million renovation and expansion of Allentown Art Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, designed by Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, is under progress.

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The remodeled museum will house the Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance art in the former sanctuary, moving the building's main entrance to the original church doorway.

The renovation includes expanding the exhibit space of the museum on both the first and second floors. The museum's second-floor Trexler Gallery, previously divided by walls, will be an open space that can be broken up by temporary dividers. The museum's second-floor terrace will be enclosed into a new 2,000-square-feet gallery.

The Payne Gallery also will double in size from 300 to 400 square feet. The expansion will enable the museum to display an added 15-20% of its collection and will add a museum store and café overlooking the Allentown Arts Park.

Design of the Founders Gallery on the first floor will be retained along with the Frank Lloyd Wright Library on the second floor. Both spaces will receive some cosmetic refurbishments such as removal of carpets and highly polished concrete floor surfaces.

Renovation will expand the museum to the Fifth Street sidewalk, double the parking area, and return the entrance to the 1901 neo-classical church that has housed the museum since 1959.

The museum is also working with architects to develop a sculpture garden along Linden Street to serve as a park for hosting events. Pavements along Fifth Street will include a cross-over to the Arts Park to further strengthen the neighbourhood’s arts motif. Plans include painting a mural on the exterior wall facing Linden Street.

The renovated museum is slated to open to the public on 15 October 2011.