In recent months, there has been a large push to grow the downtown area of Altoona Already this year the downtown area has seen the highest growth in business development since the 1970s.

It’s been primarily in the education and health industries, as well as tourism with a new hotel coming soon, but one man sees downtown Altoona as a place to call home.

Driving by it, you may think nothing of it, the Standard Supply and Equipment building; but inside, work is being done to totally revamp this space”

“Just about everybody said you’re crazy, why would you do that, that thing looks like it’s about to fall down,” said Randall Green, of Green Avenue Properties.

But he saw it differently.

“That’s how this town is going to start rebounding a little but is by project after project.”

It takes a lot of what he calls “sweat equity” but it’ worth it when he’s literally peeling back layers of Altoona’s history.

“You always have your plan before you do your demolition, but it always changes after the demo because you see things.”

This one is a two-bedroom. Green’s first project was a three-story building, at the Brace and Limb building in downtown Altoona. He’s got a whole team of local electricians and plumbers he works with.

The style is industrial. His inspiration actually came from the movies.

“A lot of exposed pipe, exposed brick work, but then also we’re going to do plaster and make in comfortable and cozy.”

Green said it’s been gratifying, watching his hometown rebuild and he’s happy to be a leader in the movement.

The space will be ready to lease, by October 1. For contact information, click here.