After a year off due to the pandemic, the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) hosted more than 150 people Wednesday evening for the third Building Berks Awards & Expo at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
Event attendees were able to watch videos of winning projects while enjoying appetizers and a signature cocktail made with ingredients from one of the evening’s winners, Reading Distilling Guild.
A few of the businesses recognized won for awards in multiple categories.
“Our firm is honored to have received TWO 2021 Building Berks awards! The Reading Distilling Guild was awarded in the Restaurant and Bar design category, and our work with Christ Episcopal Church was awarded in the Commercial Renovation/Restoration category. Both projects are exciting contributions to the burgeoning revitalization occurring in Downtown Reading, and we are proud to have our designs play a role in shaping the future of our great community,” said Suzanne Cody, Marketing Coordinator at Muhlenberg Greene Architects.
Muhlenberg Greene Architects was not the only firm to be honored more than once.
“The Burkey team was excited and honored to be a part of the GRCA’s Building Berks Awards for the third year. The Alvernia PLEX and Reading Museum’s Nefrina exhibit are great examples of our project diversity and 75-year commitment to Berks County. As we move into the future, we have many projects that will continue to set forth the legacy of our team. Together, as a community, we look forward to continuing to showcase our company for all that it has always been: authentic, dedicated and proven,” said Eric Burkey, President of Burkey Construction.
The event and awards were developed in 2018 as an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate innovation and positive economic growth and development through construction projects in Greater Reading, Pennsylvania. Applicants submitting nominations for projects were asked to include all parties involved — from the banking institution to the contractor to the municipality — to honor everyone involved in making projects in our community come to fruition!
The nominees of the 2021 Building Berks Awards are part of a larger story we have been telling about Greater Reading for some time — our region is growing and is primed for even more development. The 2021 nominated projects are more than just the walls and square footage, they represent opportunity, growth, jobs and possibilities for our region.
The 25 nominated projects provided a snapshot into how the Greater Reading region continues to grow. The submitted projects represent:
- Over $123 million in total investment
- Nearly 2,000 construction jobs
- Over 700 jobs were created and retained
- Over 2.2 million total square-footage developed, renovated, or newly constructed
All nominated projects must have been completed between July 2019 and July 2021. The categories included:
- Adaptive Reuse
- Commercial Renovation/Restoration
- Education
- Healthcare
- Housing – Single + Planned Community
- Industrial
- Office
- Miscellaneous
- Restaurant/Bar
Projects were evaluated based on design, aesthetics, and economic impact by a group of distinguished judges representing various industries.
- Greg A. Bogia, PE, PTOE – Bogia Engineering
- Scott O. Graham, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Muhlenberg Greene Architects
- Miguel A. Herrera, Assoc. AIA, SCANY. – Milan Consulting Group
- David N. Hunter, Sr. AICP Berks County Planning Commission
- Elizabeth A. Magovern – Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz, P.C.
- Sarah Phillips – Irish Creek
2021 Building Berks Awards winners:
- Adaptive Reuse: RADIUS Corporation
- Commercial Renovation/Restoration: Christ Episcopal Church
- Education: Alvernia University – Tom & Helen Flynn PLEX
- Healthcare: Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health
- Housing – Single: Kate & Steve Murray – 600 N. Brobst Street Renovation
- Housing – Planned Community: The Highlands at Wyomissing – New Villas at the Highlands
- Industrial: Berks 61
- Office: KNG Equity – Penn Square Plaza
- Miscellaneous: Reading Public Museum – Nefrina Exhibit
- Restaurant/Bar: Reading Distilling Guild