By Aaron Gantz, Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy, GRCA
The fifth Building Berks Awards & Expo returns Tuesday, September 9, at the iconic GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading. Hosted by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), this dynamic, high-energy evening celebrates the projects and the people behind them that are transforming Greater Reading
Held every two years, the Building Berks Awards align with the natural cycle of development, allowing time for projects to move from vision to completion. The event honors commercial and industrial investment and uplifts projects that enrich public spaces, strengthen community assets, and enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods across Greater Reading.
Now Accepting Nominations
Nominations are officially open and remain open through Wednesday, July 9. GRCA invites developers, property owners, business leaders, contractors, municipalities, and design professionals to submit projects completed within the past two years or scheduled for completion by Wednesday, July 31, 2025.
A diverse panel of judges representing industries such as architecture, economic development, engineering, and the public sector will evaluate the projects. Entries will be evaluated based on economic and community impact, design and aesthetics, and innovation.
Nomination categories:
- Adaptive Reuse
- Agribusiness
- Building Systems
- Commercial
- Education
- Healthcare
- Historic Preservation/Restoration
- Hospitality
- Industrial
- Infrastructure
- Mixed-Use
- Placemaking (public space, public art, signage)
- Residential
- Sustainable Development
- Out-of-the-Box
Whether it’s a state-of-the-art industrial facility, a restored historic structure, or a creative public space that brings people together, Building Berks celebrates the full spectrum of development and investment across the community. If your project reflects creativity, collaboration, or community impact, this is your opportunity to share that story.
Celebrating Regional Growth
The Building Berks Awards do more than recognize great projects; they highlight our community’s forward momentum. In 2023, 30 nominated projects represented a combined $148 million in investment, created more than 2,100 jobs, and added 1.2 million square feet of new development across the region.
Since its launch in 2018, the Building Berks Awards have showcased more than $849 million in total investment, over 11,000 jobs created or retained, and more than 7.8 million square feet of new or revitalized space – a testament to the continued vibrancy and growth in Greater Reading.
We can’t wait to see which standout projects will take center stage in 2025.
A Night of Innovation & Inspiration
On the evening of Sept. 9, guests will enjoy a curated networking reception, a gallery of nominated projects, sponsor exhibits, and the live announcement of award recipients, all in the creative setting of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
It’s an evening to celebrate innovation, connect with industry leaders, and reflect on how the built environment is shaping the future of Greater Reading.
Get Involved
Submit a nomination or learn more about the event here.
Whether you’re restoring a landmark, building housing, revitalizing a downtown community or creating a welcome public space, Building Berks is your opportunity to be recognized. Join us in honoring the projects that are building a stronger and more vibrant Greater Reading, one structure, one space and one neighborhood at a time.