“We’ve been part of this community for almost 100 years, and the new building has transformed how we run our business.” – Patrick Cantelmi, Owner of Cantelmi Hardware
4/4 FAST FACTS
| Construction Type: | Metal Panel on CMU / Steel Frame |
| Use: | E-commerce, Mixed-Use, Lite Industrial |
| Location: | Bethlehem, PA |
| Team: | SAGE Design-Build (CM) |
When Cantelmi Hardware’s century-old e-commerce operation outgrew its cramped basement, 4/4 Architecture designed a new flexible warehouse. The building modernized operations, honored the neighborhood’s industrial heritage, and kept the business rooted in the walkable South Bethlehem community it has served since the 1920s.
Challenges and Requirements
- Future flexibility: Design an upper floor capable of supporting a second tenant without a full redesign.
- Constrained urban site: Maximize usable space on the narrow lot with no room to build out.
- Subsurface unknowns: Remediate unexpected buried demolition debris before construction could begin.
- Operational continuity: Maintain active customer parking for the adjacent retail store throughout construction.
- Historic context: Complement the original store’s brick masonry character without mimicking it directly.
- Modern fulfillment needs: Replace an inefficient floor plan to improve inventory movement and throughput.
One goal of the project was to improve on the prior space. The first-floor warehouse features ample space for material flow and an abundance of natrual light, boosting staff efficiency and well-being.
APPROACH
- Build vertical: Cantilevered a second floor to maximize usable area on a tight footprint while preserving neighborhood walkability.
- Site remediation: SAGE Design-Build cleared 14 tri-axle truckloads of buried building debris before construction could begin.
- Community-first logistics: Managed active parking displacement carefully, restoring 9 of the 13 parking spots by project completion.
- Historically sensitive materials: Paired vertical metal panels and fiber cement with a rain screen facade to reference the original store’s masonry and boost energy efficiency.
- Designed to adapt: Pre-installed egress stairs, a service elevator, and second-floor infrastructure to accommodate a future tenant without a full redesign.
A part of the thoughtful approach of what this flexible warehouse could be, the open, adaptable second floor is designed to support future growth or accommodate a separate tenant, with dedicated egress stairs and elevator access.
RESULTS
- Replaced an inefficient, irregularly shaped basement with a purpose-built flexible warehouse featuring clear circulation, proper ceiling height, and natural light throughout.
- At peak, ~80% of warehouse staff walked to work – a direct result of the building’s urban location and proximity to neighborhood amenities.
- Productivity and efficiency gains reported immediately — staff can focus on fulfillment rather than navigating the space.
- Second floor is tenant-ready, extending the building’s long-term value without additional construction.
The final product of the project reveals a unique take on a warehouse. From the recessed Southeast corner entrance to the cantilevered second floor, space is maximized, natural light is bought in, and staff is more fulfilled.
Want to learn more about the Cantelmi project? Read our blog post linked above for more details, plus perspectives from the client and project team.
“We’ve been here for nearly 100 years, and now, with this building, we’re set for the future. It’s a great example of how you can grow while staying connected to our roots.” – Patrick Cantelmi, Owner of Cantelmi Hardware
