GRCA celebrates 2025 Building Berks Award winners

Reading, PA – The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) last night recognized 22 Building Berks Award winners. The biannual event, which celebrates construction projects that have added to the economic vitality, transformation and growth of the Greater Reading community, was held at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. Guests enjoyed appetizers, signature cocktails and an expo featuring sponsor businesses and nominated projects on the main floor. Later, attendees moved to the second floor where awards were presented to the winners.  
 
Here are the winners: 

• Adaptive Reuse: Helping Harvest Commercial Kitchen 

• Agribusiness: Berks County Ag Center – Phase One 

• Building Systems: Encompass Health Infrastructure Upgrade 

• Commercial – New: Redner's Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium 

• Commercial – Office: County of Berks South Campus Phase 3 

• Commercial – Renovation: Reading Aviation at Reading Regional Airport 

• Commercial – Retail: Super Natural & Fresh Produce III Inc.  

• Education: Tec Centro Berks Renovation 

• Healthcare: Reading Area Community College - Weitz Healthcare Pavilion 

• Historic Preservation/Restoration: Centre Park Revitalization 

• Hospitality – Arts/Entertainment: Santander Arena Renovations and Upgrades 

• Hospitality – Restaurant/Bar: GoggleWorks Art Park 

• Industrial: Always Lift. Never Quit. Mural at American Crane 

• Infrastructure: Peach Street Bridge 

• Mixed-Use: Alvernia University’s John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne 

• Out-of-the-Box: Abilities in Motion Headquarters 

• Placemaking: Reading Skate Park 

• Public Art: Moss + Douglass Mural 

• Residential – Multi-Family/Group: Albright College - Lion Hall 

• Residential – Planned Community: Opportunity House - Beacon House Apartments Renovation 

• Residential – Single Family: Rehabilitation of 315 N 11th Street 

• Sustainable Development: Muhlenberg Greene Firm Relocation 

 
A diverse panel of judges evaluated nominated projects based on economic and community impact, design and aesthetics, innovation and other key criteria. They included Suzanne Cody, Associate Director of Business Development, Muhlenberg Greene Architects; Stuart Heisey, Principal, MEP Services, Entech Engineering; Mark Mohn, Director of Government Affairs, Reading-Berks Association of Realtors; Jaime Perez, Deputy Director, Berks County Redevelopment Authority; and Nicholas Stolzfus, President, DESCCO Design & Construction. 
 
“The Building Berks Awards highlight the vision and collaboration driving growth and investment in our region. The nominated projects represent $186 million in investment, 2,600 jobs created or retained and 1.3 million-square-feet of development. Each nomination reflects a commitment to Berks County’s future. At the end of the day, every project is a win for our community,” said Aaron Gantz, Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy, GRCA. 
 
The Platinum Sponsor was Shuman Development Group.