Penn Alto Building

The Penn Alto Building is a nine-story structure with a partial penthouse level located at the corner of 12th Street and 13th Avenue in Downtown Altoona. The design combines residential units with commercial space typical of early 20th century urban buildings.

H.L. Stevens & Company designed this Renaissance-style structure in 1921 originally as a hotel for business travelers. The building later converted to apartments, reflecting how urban areas shifted toward permanent residential housing.

The building forms part of the Downtown Altoona Historic District and reflects the early 20th century values placed on mixed-use urban development. Its design shows how communities invested in combining commercial activity with residential living in central locations.

The building sits in a central location next to City Hall with easy access to local shops, restaurants, and public services in the downtown area. Its location on a gently sloped lot creates different visual perspectives depending on where you view it from.

Official measurements of this structure vary depending on which reference point is used, since it sits on sloped ground that falls away across the site. This makes it a curious example of how terrain can affect even the basic measurements of a building.

Location: Altoona

Inception: 1921

Architects: H.L. Stevens & Company

Part of: Downtown Altoona Historic District

GPS coordinates: 40.51694,-78.40250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:41