The building at 431 Penn Street in Reading, PA, holds a rich history as part of the city’s central business district. The façade of the building originally comes from the Reading News building, which was located at 22-24 North Fifth Street. The Reading News building was constructed in a Beaux-Arts style, known for its grandeur and detailed ornamentation.
In 1982, as part of a preservation effort tied to the Keystone Project, the façade of the old Reading News building was carefully disassembled and relocated to its current position at 431 Penn Street.
The first floor facade is composed of two equal arched openings. Within the openings are entrances and storefronts topped by leaden glass transom windows. At the second level the facade is divided into three openings. The end two windows occupy 1/4 of the facade while a center bay window occupies the middle half. The end windows have flat arch lintels. The bay window is three sided with casements at the sides and a plate glass window in the center. Leaded transom windows are above. The third floor is divided into four equal openings. The window openings have low arched lintels. The windows are casement.
The roof cornice is made of limestone and supported by five stone brackets. The parapet line is topped off by an open stone balustrade centered with a stone carved panel which reads “The Reading News.” On either side of the building are brick pilasters which reach a few feet above the cornice. These are decorated with a carved silhouette of helmeted figure with pendant grapes. The third floor is of a light yellowish brick while the first and second floors are faced with stone limestone blocks. At the third floor level there is a pent cave or limestone cornice supported by 17 dentils. This part of the building is decorated with two stone fluted pilasters topped by scroll work with grape motif. A first floor cornice completes the tripartite division of the building. This cornice is made of the same stone material as the other two cornices, but protrudes along the lines of the bay window. A central, nearly four feet high stone bracket underneath the bay acts as a central focus. Two stone brackets of smaller dimensions are situated on either side of this main bracket.
Below: 431 Penn Street, 2015 file photo.
The relocation of the Reading News building’s facade to 431 Penn Street helped preserve an important piece of Reading’s architectural history, despite the original building’s demolition. This effort was part of American Bank’s $6 million “Keystone Project,” which removed structures from the rear of Colonial Trust to 5th and Court streets to make way for new construction, including a processing center. The project included commercial buildings from 431 Penn to the American Bank building. The complex task of removing and reapplying the Beaux-Arts facade to 431 Penn was carried out by the Reading-based Eshbach Brothers, requiring great skill and planning.
Below: The Reading News Building (2nd from left) is shown in this 1961 photo.
In January 2024, the Reading City Council approved the sale of 431 Penn Street, along with neighboring properties at 437 and 443 Penn Street, to Philly Office Retail, a Philadelphia-based company led by President Ken Weinstein. Known for revitalizing historic properties through adaptive reuse, the company aims to integrate retail, office, and residential spaces as part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown Reading. This redevelopment is a key component of the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) initiative, designed to attract investment, stimulate economic growth, and modernize the city while preserving its historic character.
The sale includes five historic buildings on the block, encompassing over 159,255 square feet across 1.22 acres. These properties, purchased by the city in 2013 for $2.6 million, have remained vacant for years. Structural concerns emerged for 431 Penn Street after a 2022 engineer’s report cited issues with the western wall, followed by a partial roof collapse, rendering the building unsafe.
As part of the redevelopment plan, the historic façade of 431 Penn Street will be preserved, while the deteriorating rear section of the building will be demolished. City officials and the developer are working together to ensure that the building’s architectural legacy remains intact while making it safe and functional for future use. Philly Office Retail is currently in the due diligence phase, and both parties are exploring financing options for the project.
Ultimately, the redevelopment of 431 Penn Street and its neighboring properties is expected to breathe new life into the Penn Square area, bringing in new businesses, residents, and opportunities for the community, while respecting the historical significance of the building’s iconic façade. This project symbolizes the balance of preserving Reading’s heritage while paving the way for its future.
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