Downtown Reading – Berks County’s Central Business District
The City of Reading is home to more than 80,000 people and there are 630,000 people within a 20-mile radius. Because it is within driving distance to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore and New York — Reading offers a lower cost of living with big-city amenities.
Momentum is building in the Downtown area with the announcement of Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne at 401 Penn St. and the redevelopment of the Madison Building at 400 Washington St. with more in the pipeline. Over the last 10+ years over $266 million dollars have been invested in numerous development projects in the downtown area.
Be a part of the momentum! Our team can help you find your dream property and connect you to the resources to make it all come together.
How We Can Help
Downtown Real Estate – We can help you identify available space for lease and/or sale in downtown RDG.
Financing Opportunities – GRCA operates under a single principle — helping businesses grow and succeed in our community. Using our existing connections and available resources, we can direct you to exclusive financing opportunities to fund your business’s next project.
Introductions & Connections – We are happy to make introductions to other Downtown Reading business and/or property owners.
Downtown Data & Demographics – We want to arm you with the information you and your business need to succeed. In addition to regularly updated data, we can provide you with custom reports upon request.
Opportunity Zone – A majority of downtown Reading is in the designated Federal Opportunity Zone. Eligible investments in Opportunity Zones may include commercial real estate development and renovation, opening new businesses and expansion of existing businesses. Investing realized capital gains into Opportunity Zones has many benefits for individual or corporate taxpayers.
Penn Street Market – The Penn Street Market is an open-air, seasonal farmers market in the heart of downtown Reading, PA. The Market features local farm produce, fresh meats, baked goods, locally owned restaurants and food trucks, and more! The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and the Market Team are committed to hosting a variety of family and nutritional programs in partnership with The Food Trust, featuring local musicians, kids crafts and highlighting community resources.
Downtown Reading, Penn. is open for business! The team at GRCA can help you find your dream property and connect you to the resources to make it all come together.
Here is What They are Saying
“With Reading becoming such a vibrant place the Weidenhammer Team did not want to miss the opportunity to join the movement and become an early investor in Downtown Reading revitalization.”
John P. Weidenhammer
President, Weidenhammer Systems, and Owner of 503 Penn St.
“Our future, and that of our city, is forever intertwined. Alvernia’s strategy will focus its energy and resources on the mutually growth of the city and the University. This is how we will define our future success …”
John Loyack
President, Alvernia University
“Reading is home to me, it’s a city that has allowed me to make my dreams a reality…It provided me with the opportunity to have a business, raise my children, own a commercial property, serve my community and even find true love…”
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
Owner, Mi Casa Su Casa Café
and 320 Penn St.
“Fifteen years ago, my partners and I chose to start our business in Downtown Reading for many reasons, including its character, convenient central location, and affordable rent. Two years ago, when I decided to purchase an office building, I again chose Downtown Reading. There are great revitalization efforts underway, and I’m happy to be a part of the excitement.”
James P. Cinelli
Principal
Liberty Environmental, Owner of 505 Penn St., and Chair of the Reading Science Center
“We knew we could be the change of hope everyone wanted to see and that it was up to us to start with the shining light and warmth of hospitality. To be a vibrant city we needed businesses that bring hope and joy 24 /7 and every day to the citizens in the community. This was our dream that has become a reality.”
Craig Poole
President, Reading Hospitality Group, DoubleTree by Hilton Reading
“Shuman Development Group started redeveloping properties in Downtown Reading in 1994 and in 2008 did a comprehensive study of cities all along the eastern half of the Country, from Mobile, Alabama all the way up to Buffalo, New York. What we determined was that no other city on the east coast could match the upside potential of properly done investments in the City of Reading. We see the momentum starting to grow and continue to make those investments we began 25 years ago.”
Alan W. Shuman
President and Broker of Record, Shuman Development Group
Keep up with downtown rdg in the news
- First Friday Returns to Reading
- Café de Colombia opens
- Visions Federal Credit Union to expand presence in downtown Reading
- BCTV finds new home on Penn Street
- Casa Cortes Mexican Grill opens
- Two Iconic Buildings in Reading Might get new Life
- Reading, PA named #4 on U.S. News Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
- Reading Science Center opens at 645 Penn St.
- Reading Eagle Building (345 Penn St.) Under Agreement of Sale
- Alvernia University Announces Engineering Programs Part of Downtown Reading CollegeTowne
- Madison Building developer receives Zoning Exceptions to Move Redevelopment Project Forward
- Downtown Reading turns into an open air art gallery with murals adorning bus stops and parking garages
- Public Art: Beautification and Unity in Downtown Reading
- Sidewalk in the Heart of Downtown Reading Reopens
- Alvernia University Finalizes Purchase of 401 Penn Street
- Medical Marijuana, Beyond/Hello, Dispensary opens in Downtown Reading
- Different Market, Same Commitment to Community + Fresh Food
- Downtown Reading Facade Grant
- Reading Distilling Guild Tasting Room Opens in Downtown Reading