More than a century later, the district continues to evolve. A new redevelopment project in the northern section of the neighborhood is breathing new life into the former Berks Engineering Company property. The project will transform the historic site into modern senior housing, creating a valuable community resource while preserving an important piece of Reading's history.
Revitalizing History: Empire Services Helps Transform a Historic Reading Landmark into Senior Housing
Empire Services • June 16, 2026
As communities evolve over time, preserving their history creates opportunities for the future, which is what truly drives redevelopment. In Reading, Pennsylvania, that balance is taking shape within the Prince Historic District, where a nearly century-old industrial property is being transformed into modern senior apartments.
Empire Services is proud to play a role in this exciting redevelopment project, helping prepare the site for its next chapter while honoring the area's rich heritage.
A Historic Neighborhood with a Bright Future
Located in the heart of Reading, the Prince Historic District is one of the city's most historically significant neighborhoods. Officially designated as a historic district in 1982, the area features numerous structures built between 1850 and 1890, reflecting a period of rapid growth and economic opportunity in Reading.
Preparing the Site for Redevelopment
Contracted by Growing Lebanon, Empire Services was brought in to perform the demolition and site preparation work necessary to move the project forward.
Before demolition could begin, the team tackled an important first step: clearing the site. Trees, shrubs, and vegetation in the back of the property had to be removed to provide safe access for equipment and personnel. This grubbing process created a clean and secure work area, allowing demolition operations to proceed efficiently.
Once the site was cleared, the crew created a “ramp” made of stone against a small retaining wall giving affiliate Delaware Valley Contractors’ vehicles access to the job site to deliver the stone and transport debris.
A Complex Demolition Project
Unlike a typical demolition project involving a single structure, the former Berks Engineering Company property has six interconnected buildings, creating several unique challenges.
Before demolition could proceed, sections of the structures designated for removal had to be carefully separated by hand from the building that would remain. In addition, one of the buildings contained deteriorated roof trusses posing a potential safety concern. To prevent an unintended collapse during demolition, the trusses were stabilized using specialized shoring towers before work started.
The redevelopment plan calls for preserving the three-story building located at a busy intersection, which will be repurposed into senior apartments. The remaining five structures are being demolished to grade, creating space for future development while maintaining the character of the historic site.
To safely execute the demolition, Empire Services developed a strategic approach, working from south to north across the property and systematically progressing toward the main structure. This method allowed the team to maintain control of the demolition process while protecting the building designated for preservation, as well as the adjacent residential structures and utility lines.
Utilizing a standard 345 excavator and a 470 UHD excavator, the structures were efficiently dismantled in full compliance with safety and operational requirements.
Precision Site Work Creates Access
As demolition progressed, additional site work became necessary to provide access to key areas of the remaining structure.
To gain further access to the main building, portions of the open work area required proper backfilling and compaction. Empire Services brought in stone backfill material and used specialized equipment to create a stable working surface.
A team member operated a Wacker Neuson RT-82 trench roller via remote control to compact the stone material. Remote-controlled equipment allows operators to maintain a safe distance while achieving precise compaction, helping create a secure foundation for continued work on the site.
This attention to detail is essential on redevelopment projects where safety, stability, and accessibility are critical to success.
Once the structures were demolished, the team focused on the taking down the wooden roof.
Supporting Reading's Continued Growth
Redevelopment projects like this demonstrate how historic properties can be reimagined to meet modern community needs. By transforming an aging industrial facility into senior housing, the project will provide new opportunities for local residents while preserving an important piece of Reading's architectural heritage.
Empire Services is proud to contribute its demolition and site development expertise to projects that strengthen communities throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. As work continues at the former Berks Engineering Company site, we look forward to seeing this historic property transformed into a valuable community asset.
Pennsylvania is home to historic landmarks that tell the story of the people, places, and ideas that shaped the nation. From Reading’s industrial heritage to Philadelphia’s historic sites and Valley Forge, these places connect the past with the future. Some are distinguished not only by their physical structures but also by their enduring contributions to society. In Chester County, Empire Services is helping to shape the future of a living landmark through an extensive interior demolition project. Contracted by The Norwood Company, the team is removing existing interior components to prepare the property for a multi-year revitalization initiative.
Empire Group’s 31st Annual Golf Classic brought customers, colleagues, and friends together for a memorable day of golf and friendly competition on October 3rd at the historic Galen Hall Golf Club in Wernersville, PA. We truly appreciate all the players who participated in our highly anticipated event. Despite a chilly start, 92 golfers arrived ready to hit the course for an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The crisp fall weather set the stage for a fantastic day of great shots and friendly rivalries. After the final putt dropped, players gathered for a large buffet lunch followed by the tournament’s award ceremony and raffle. It was fun to see the winners select their prizes! At Empire Group, we value the relationships we’ve built with our customers and partners over the years. Events like the Annual Golf Classic are a wonderful opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, reconnect with familiar faces, and strengthen partnerships.
This summer, Empire Services stayed busy tackling culvert replacement projects across multiple counties. Each project presented its own unique challenges—from working around an active golf course to removing severely corroded piping and completing excavation in tight workspaces. Through it all, our crews brought their “A” game, combining experience, knowledge, and the right equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently.
When a building is scheduled for demolition, the first image that often comes to mind is an excavator tearing through concrete, brick, and steel. While heavy machinery does much of the work, demolition rarely relies on a single machine. Successful demolition combines equipment, experienced operators, careful planning, and specialized techniques to safely dismantle components and remove challenging materials. One technique is torch cutting for separating structural steel and other metal components that heavy equipment cannot always remove efficiently. For experienced demolition contractors like Empire Services, knowing when and how to use torch cutting helps crews complete complex demolition projects.
It’s hard to believe summer is winding down! Our demolition and excavation teams worked tirelessly across the region, keeping projects on schedule and ensuring client satisfaction. From complex industrial dismantling to precision culvert installation, we brought the talent, equipment, and dedication needed to deliver safe and successful results. Below are some of our summer project highlights.
On Saturday, August 15th, Empire Group employees and their families gathered at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA, for a day filled with good food, laughter, classic rides, and quality time together. With nearly 100 employees and family members in attendance, this year’s Empire Group Family Fun Day was a wonderful opportunity to step away from the daily routine and enjoy being together. A Picnic Lunch to Kick Off the Day Before heading into the park, everyone gathered for a delicious picnic lunch featuring plenty of summertime favorites. A big thank you goes to Russ and Kristi Mountjoy for preparing the meal, providing the food, and manning the grill. With full plates and plenty of good conversation, it was the perfect way to start the day. Then, it was time to head into the park for roller coasters, train rides, games, and attractions. Making Memories, One Ride at a Time Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed all the park had to offer. Some took on the thrills of the rides, while others enjoyed a more leisurely day exploring the park. Rick and Melissa Dom took a relaxing train ride with their Yorkie-Poo, Ahsoka Tano. Meanwhile, Ellyn Harkin's niece and nephew may have been too small to ride the famous Phoenix wooden coaster, but that didn't stop them from getting in on the fun. They posed for a memorable picture in one of the coaster's cars instead! This year’s location was especially fitting. Knoebels is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The park traces its roots to 1926, when Henry Knoebel opened a swimming pool, restaurant, and carousel at his farm near Elysburg. Over the past century, Knoebels has grown into a beloved Pennsylvania destination with more than 100 rides and attractions, while maintaining the family-friendly atmosphere that has been part of its story from the beginning. Celebrating Empire Group's Family Fun Day at a Pennsylvania attraction with a century of family memories behind it was a fitting way to celebrate our own company family, with 70 years of memories and our 10 th anniversary at Knoebels. A Special Thank You We extend our heartfelt thanks to Todd & Karen O’Neill and Harry & Cathy O’Neill for making this special day possible. Their generosity and thoughtfulness allowed employees and their families to come together and enjoy one another’s company outside of the workplace. More Than a Day at the Park This event brought the entire Empire Group together, creating fun memories while enjoying a wonderful lunch, friendship, and a variety of classic rides. It’s just one of the many events the company hosts to celebrate employees and build connections. These moments of joy and community are what make Empire Group feel like a family. We can’t wait until next year’s Family Fun Day!
Demolition is about more than tearing something down. It is often the first step toward giving an existing property a new purpose. An outdated building may need to be removed for new construction, an aging structure may need to be carefully dismantled while preserving portions of the property, or an existing space may need to be stripped down before it can be renovated. In urban environments, such as Reading, PA, these projects can present unique challenges. Buildings being demolished are sometimes located close to homes, businesses, and other structures, which can make job site space limited, reroute pedestrians and vehicles, and necessitate protection of utilities and other infrastructure. Completing this type of demolition requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and an experienced workforce that understands how to work safely in limited spaces. Empire Services brings that experience and precision to challenging demolition projects throughout Reading and the tri-state area.
When people think about roads and transportation infrastructure, bridges and highways often come to mind. Yet some of the most important infrastructure is hidden beneath our feet. Storm sewer culverts carry water under roads, railroads, driveways, and embankments, preventing flooding, protecting roadways, and preserving the surrounding environment. Although they are rarely noticed, culverts play a vital role in keeping communities safe. When these underground structures begin to fail, the consequences can include flooding, roadway damage, sinkholes, traffic disruptions, and costly emergency repairs. At Empire Services, preserving infrastructure means staying ahead of these problems. The company's experienced crews recently completed a storm sewer culvert replacement project for Earl Township, restoring an aging drainage system that will continue protecting the roadway and surrounding properties for years to come.
Our demolition and excavation teams worked tirelessly this spring, keeping projects on schedule and ensuring client satisfaction. As summer begins, our team continues to tackle a variety of projects, from precise school upgrades to intricate industrial demolitions. Below are some of our recent project highlights.
