What a difference a century makes.
In West Reading and Wyomissing, several former industrial buildings that were at the heart of Berks County’s economic boom are again booming – this time as luxury, modern apartment complexes that are attracting lots of attention and renters.
The two complexes, The Lofts at Narrow and The Metropolitan, are both operated by Metropolitan Management Group (MMG). The Lofts, constructed and owned by Kevin Hughes of Wyomissing, president of Reading-based Longview Construction Co., opened last summer. MMG owns, and its subsidiary Metropolitan Building Group constructed, The Metropolitan, which opened for occupancy April 1.
Don’t let that April 1 date fool you. “The Met,” as Deborah L. Houck, MMG executive vice president, calls it, offers some serious amenities for those professionals who don’t have the time or inclination to take care of a private residence or those who, in retirement, want to escape those long-time responsibilities.
Bigger, Better for Berks Renters
“When we came to this property, we took everything we heard over the years and knew that Berks Countians were looking for larger floor plans,” Houck says.
Kristi Verrechio, leasing support specialist, says potential renters also made it clear they wanted to stay in their hometowns.
“We are seeing a lot of snowbirds,” says Houck. “They need a location here to be close to family yet have it be a place where they can lock the door and take off.”
The Met, 1001 Hill Avenue, Wyomissing, in its first phase offered 42 units, including studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Square footage ranges from 870 for the smallest studio to 2,480 for the largest, expansive three-bedroom, three-bath residence. Monthly rental rates range from $1,295 to $3,400.
The “bones” of the original factory building are clearly visible in the new apartments.
One of those large, three-bedroom units features the original, huge, nine-foot-plus-tall windows that bring copious amounts of sunlight into the expansive rooms. Tenants can rest easy about window treatments: custom miniblinds provide shields and privacy when desired. The exposed brick walls add extra charm, and the very tall room heights – 12 to 15 feet – allow for the exposed duct work to provide heat or cool air, depending on the season.
Tones of muted gray — from the walls to the laminate, hardwood-style floors to the granite countertops and cabinetry — provide a neutral background that can accommodate a variety of decors.
The 24-handle kitchen offers considerable storage space, including a pantry, and has state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances. The four-foot-wide hallway between the main living area and bedrooms provides access to a large, shelved, nearly walk-in closet and washer/dryer combo. Two bedrooms claim attached bathrooms, critical for the privacy of guests, children or roommates.
That apartment, like many at The Met, offers an outdoor deck off the great room. There is also a small deck space off one of the bedrooms.
Dark in the Day is Okay
One ground-floor level two-bedroom flat is in somewhat stark contrast to that sunny, upper- level, three-bedroom unit.
Though it boasts a small patio, it is not nearly so bright. An old factory window, repurposed as a transom (a suggestion by Kevin J. Timochenko, owner of Metropolitan Companies), offers limited light into the first bedroom. The second bedroom, however, has no window.
Think that’s a hindrance to market? Actually, for medical professionals and others who work second or third shifts, a basic blackout room is a boon to a good day’s sleep. And the flat is rented.
Residents of the fifth floor have the bonus of a small common area near the elevator. Furnished with a comfortable sofa and chair, it’s just the place to get away from one’s partner for a bit, work on a crossword puzzle, surf social media, or have a nice cup of Joe and a chat with a neighbor.
“I think of it as our own little sunroom facing Penn Avenue,” says Verrechio.
Houck and Verrechio stress the importance of security at The Met, including a fob security system for all the main doors and a first-floor packaging room for UPS, Fed-Ex, US Postal Service, and other delivery entities for which each tenant will have key access.
Home of History Repurposed
The Met is actually a cluster of three buildings, most recently home of Arrow International, that were once key to the Rockwell/Textile/Wyomissing Industries complex that spanned more than five blocks straddling Wyomissing and West Reading boroughs.
According to Lisa Adams, research specialist at the Janssen Library of the Berks History Center, the multi-story structures once known as Buildings 27 and 28 were constructed in 1921 and 1922. The in-fill structure, Building 29, connecting them was built in 1965.
The first two buildings originally served as stocking factories. In 1921, some 477,000 dozen stockings were manufactured. A year later, that production number climbed to 819,000 dozen stockings. In 1922, some 2,025 employees worked there, receiving an annual payroll of $2,535,000 (the equivalent of $38,151,750 in 2019).
Wyomissing Mayor Frederick C. Levering says The Met is a part of the overall revitalization of the borough, something that first took hold about a decade ago.
“Several years ago, the borough recognized that we were about 100 years old and beginning to show our age,” he says. “We first started a plan to upgrade water, sewer and roads. We updated zoning, including an overlay district to allow residential in the older industrial areas. Next, we merged with the Borough of Wyomissing Hills in order to expand the tax base. We established an Economic Development Committee to plan and work with potential investors.
“This led to the Wyomissing Square Development. After being interrupted by the Great Recession, we were approached by a company looking to re-invent the VF property and by Metropolitan to make over the Arrow Building into beautiful apartments. The Borough is thrilled to see the results. The jobs at VF and the apartments at Metropolitan take advantage of the existing Wyomissing location and amenities with the growth of the West Reading Penn Avenue district.”
Levering, a real estate professional, acknowledged that some potential tenants at The Met may have wanted to purchase as opposed to renting. The high quality of the building and its amenities speak to that, he says.
Among the amenities is a pool that will be located on the roof of the circa-1965 connector building. An expansive outdoor community green space offers tenants the ability to grill and enjoy the weather. At the other end of the rooftop, a glass-enclosed community room offers space for further socializing. In addition, a number of units in both the first and second phases of The Met provide direct access to the rooftop spaces.
The second phase of another 40 units, comprised of loft-style townhomes, each with its own entrance and assigned parking spaces, is set to open in the fall.
Like their counterparts in the first phase, the townhouse tenants will have access to all amenities, including indoor parking if desired, as well as on-site storage units, a fitness room, and free bicycle rentals to explore the community.
“That’s been a hit at [The Lofts at] Narrow,” Verrechio says.
Upside to Downsizing
The Lofts at Narrow have been a hit for many of the tenants since the summer of 2018. Among the fans of living in this repurposed building at 701 Reading Avenue, West Reading, is Mike Reinert, senior account executive and Time Train Host at Reading-based Channel 69 News/Berks Edition.
“My family enjoyed living in a nice-sized home in Wyomissing for 20 years,” says Reinert. “But it got to the point where we no longer wanted to expend the time and energy for upkeep and thought maybe it was time for a condo.”
Reinert knew Kevin Hughes from their association with Sacred Heart School. Offered the chance to take a tour of the repurposed 90-year-old building, Reinert and his wife, Anne Louise, owner of Unique Desserts, found themselves smitten by a two-bedroom loft on the southeast corner.
The 18-foot ceilings and large windows, he says, make the rooms seem even larger. The real challenge for the Reinerts was downsizing to apartment life from their rambling suburban property, a challenge shared by many.
“We really liked the view,” he says. “It’s on an upper-level floor and we face the city. The lights are beautiful at night. We can see the courthouse, the Pagoda, and the fire tower.”
Reinert is especially connected to the Mount Penn sites; he serves as president of Pagoda-Skyline Inc., which has played key roles in the restoration of the two hillside landmarks.
Back to a New Future
As host of Time Train, a history-steeped PSA for the past 21 years, Reinert is also a student of history and loves sharing that passion.
“The building we’re in was built in 1929,” he says. “It was the Narrow Fabrics headquarters until just a few years ago. Over the years they manufactured ladies’ fabrics, copper wire, elastics and, during wartime, parachute cords for both troop and equipment drops. I understand there was never a failure with any of the cords.”
Reinert and his wife enjoy not just the amenities The Lofts offers – their early occupancy enabled them to sample and savor the rooftop pool and its enchanting vistas last summer – but also the camaraderie of their neighbors and the proximity to the cultural and culinary vibrancy of West Reading.
The Lofts occupants are a fun mix, he says, from professionals, many employed by nearby Reading Hospital/Tower Health, to Baby Boomers like themselves.
“Every so often there’s a neighbors’ gathering and everyone in the 99 units on the second, third and fourth floors get to know each other a bit better,” he says.
“It’s a convenient location in West Reading. There are so many places within walking distance.”
One of those is Anne Louise’s custom bakery on Grape Street, just four blocks away, which she and elder daughter Jessica operate.
New to the first floor of The Lofts this past winter is the upscale B2 Bistro + Bar, which offers a mix of new American and European-style cuisine. Like the apartments above it, the décor is a testament to the building’s original purpose. The spacious dining room includes an open bar area. The preserved industrial floors and exposed brick/masonry walls would likely feel familiar to former workers. An irony upon entering the bar/restaurant is vintage “No Admittance” lettering sunk into the concrete floor, warning visitors to stay out of what was the old manufacturing area.
Off to the side of the B2 Bistro is a small coffee shop which conveniently offers light morning fare for residents – and visitors – alike.
The Lofts offer one- and two-bedroom units, ranging in size from 725 to 1,412 square feet, with monthly rentals from $1,275 to $1,695. Pets are permitted, and there is a pet park on-site. There are both garage and surface parking options.
Reinert believes that could Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen, the German-born founders of Wyomissing Industries, take a leap into 2019, they would be happy to see what’s become of their factories.
“I like this cause of saving and repurposing old buildings,” Reinert says. “The Thun and Janssen enterprises valued innovation, and I think they’d be pleased that their old buildings are being used in a new way.”
The Lofts at Narrow
701 Reading Avenue, West Reading
The Metropolitan
1001 Hill Avenue, Wyomissing
