We’ve told you about new businesses making their way to downtown Altoona, but did you  know there will soon be a new place to live?

The Elizabeth Apartment building in Altoona was built back in 1922, but it’s been vacant since 2011. Now it’s getting a new lease on life. 

Blair County native Laura Wray is the project manager for the renovation of the 95 year old Elizabeth Apartment complex. She wants to transform the space into modern living.

“Before they used to be very choppy like, a small dining room, small living room, small kitchen, but now we’ve opened them up,”explained Wray. “So it’s opened concept living, but they the separate bedrooms they’re not studios.” 

Wray hopes these 20 unites will bring more life to not only Blair County, but the downtown area.

“I just hope that peoples jaws drop because it’s really going to be something different for the area. I really hope people are excited we want it to be a place where people want to live and are excited to live.”

Stephen McKnight says this type of living space is vital to economic growth in downtown.

“We need housing for all people all ages groups but most importantly at this point we need market rate housing to attract people back to the area to work at our professional occupations that are growing,” said McKnight. 

He says there are smaller apartments in downtown, but nothing on this scale.

“This is the largest in terms of the number of units coming online in the city of altoona for as long as I can remember.”

Wray says the framework is up for the apartments and shes ready to help build downtown.

“There’s a really nice feel to the downtown it’s starting to get better so I’m excited to be a part of that.”

These one and two bedroom apartments are expected to be completed this November. 

Wray says the units start at $800.