Author: Kristina Gonzalez

At the end of March, you can win a variety of prizes when you participate in our Resident Easter Egg Hunt! All of our buildings will have Easter eggs hidden in the lobbies and amenities spaces. Residents can redeem up to two Easter Eggs! You can pick up your prize at the STRATA West leasing office. The eggs will contain one of the following prizes below:

• $5 Voucher to Bru Daddy’s, Tacos Y Tequila, or the Downtown Allentown Market
• A full-size candy bar or another treat
• $25 gift card to a downtown restaurant or retailer
• $50 gift card to a downtown restaurant or retailer

This Easter Egg Hunt will be going on between March 29-April 4. Good luck!

Name: Tara Anthony 
Title: Senior Residential Property Manager

How many years have you’ve been working for City Center Residential? I’ve been working downtown for two years, but I’ve been working in leasing for a total of 6 years between my time here & one of our suburban properties!

What’s your favorite part about working in Downtown Allentown? Downtown Allentown has the best Starbucks team in all the land. I go there every day & they have my drink ready as soon as I walk in!

Do you have a favorite lunch spot in Downtown Allentown? Tacos Y Tequila. Ramiro makes me feel at home and the chicken fajitas are the bomb. Pro tip: add the cheese sauce.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Getting to watch the downtown landscape transform year after year & working with the best team in the multifamily industry. 

Tell us one fun fact about yourself! I have seen every episode of Law & Order SVU at least twice!

What’s your favorite resident event City Center Residential hosted? Annual Rooftop party! I think this is also our residents’ favorite event!

What’s the best memory you have since working at City Center Residential? Signing 54 leases during the month of July 2020! Talk about a month that flew by in the blink of an eye.

What do you like to do when you’re not working? I love spinning. Pre-COVID you could catch me every Saturday at Haddy’s spin class, however,  I had to get creative during quarantine & got a Peloton. Catch me on the leaderboard. #7Bee 

This month, Radish Republic shares a recipe for Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. Try this recipe at home for yourself! These ingredients can be purchased at Radish Republic. This recipe is gluten-free, keto, and vegetarian!

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

1 large head of cauliflower

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Cut the cauliflower into bite-size pieces.
3. Once the water is boiling, add the cauliflower and cook until fork-tender.
4. While the cauliflower is cooking, make the cheese sauce by mixing the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, ground mustard, and salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the mixture is combined.
5. Drain the cauliflower and mix with the cheese sauce. Serve immediately.

Cityplace Resident Q+A
Name: Dimitris Kalahanis

Dimitris Kalahanis has always lived in the Lehigh Valley, but decided to make the move to Cityplace once he heard great things about living in Downtown Allentown from friends that live in neighboring residential communities. Keep reading to learn why Dimitris decided to make Cityplace his new home!

• Why make the Lehigh Valley home? The Lehigh Valley is a great area to make your home because it is very up and coming with many restaurants, bars, and overall great entertainment options. There are many jobs in different aspects of work and anyone at any age will feel welcomed here. I relocated from Macungie to be closer to my restaurant.
• How did you hear about Downtown Allentown/ Lehigh Valley? I heard about Allentown from word of mouth from my friends and other colleagues.
• How did you hear about Cityplace Allentown? I heard about Cityplace through my friend who lives at STRATA Flats. He told me Cityplace was being built and I put in my application!

• What made you choose Cityplace? I chose Cityplace because of its modern, simple design and because of its affordability.
• Describe your experience working with the City Center Residential team? The Cityplace team has been nothing but kind and respectful to me even before moving in. They helped me find the ideal apartment and have been very caring and understanding of all my problems and concerns. Shout out to Robert Fox for always answering my emails promptly and always having a solution to my questions and problems!
• Favorite part about your apartment? I love my apartment’s windows with the city view!
• How have you made it home? I have customized my apartment by painting certain walls black for an abstract look with sleek, modern leather furniture accompanied by ambient lighting to tie the whole apartment together.
• How does Downtown Allentown compare to other places you have lived? Cityplace is located very close to the center of Downtown Allentown, where you have access to different businesses and the stores are very close. Downtown Allentown is nice and slowly modernizing to accommodate newcomers.
• Describe your commute to work. My commute to work starts with me heading towards Lehigh Street where I hop on 78 to drive 7 minutes into Bethlehem where I operate my restaurant.