Plans to revamp the last major industrial center in Lower Merion are getting very close to being realized, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for Main Line Times.

Both the township’s Planning Commission and the Building and Planning Committee have given their approval for the construction of two hotels and other amenities on part of the former Pencoyd Iron Works site in Bala Cynwyd.

Developer Penn Real Estate Group is planning to construct one hotel with 124 rooms and another with 138. They will be located between the new Royal Athena apartments and the Aquatic Fitness Center.

Sean McCloskey of Penn Real Estate Group presented and answered questions about the development plans two weeks ago, at separate meetings with each of the township boards.

The plan calls for the two existing buildings on the site to be demolished, but their steel beams would then be incorporated into the new design. In addition, parking will be constructed to provide a total of 282 spaces for the hotels.

“As you know, this project has been a labor of love for us,” said McCloskey. “We’ve been involved with this project for 17 years.”

Read more about the proposed new hotels at Main Line Times by clicking here.