Wohlsen Construction Co Builds Reading and beyond: Hilton DoubleTree hotel construction city’s grandest since Abraham Lincoln in 1930

Reading Eagle: Ben Hasty | Talking at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel work site are, from left, Kevin Imes, project manager for Lancaster-based Wohlsen Construction Co.; Craig Poole, DoubleTree general manager; and Garreth Donly, Our City Reading project manager.

GMCS Commentary:  Thrilled to see Wohlsen Construction Co completing this $42 million construction contract to build the Hilton DoubleTree hotel.  With Wohlsen’s previous edition of John Ball and recent addition of Roger Ball to their Executive staff, we are looking forward to seeing Wohlsen Construction Co becoming a dominate force in the commercial construction marketplace throughout the Delaware Valley.  A contractor on the rise with a track record of excellence and experience to back it up.

The countdown is on for Wohlsen Construction Co. to complete a $42 million construction contract with Hospitality LLC to build the Hilton DoubleTree hotel in the 700 block of Penn Street, across from the Santander Arena. Total cost for the hotel is projected at about $60 million.

Doubletree is part of the Hilton Worldwide company.

According to hotel General Manager Craig Poole, 209 guest rooms are booked for the first weekend in November, making it a sold-out performance for the opening of the 201,330-square-foot hotel.

"There is also a tentative banquet booking for 600 people in the grand ballroom on Veterans Day," said Poole.

The 12,000-square-foot ballroom seats more than 1,000, he said.

"We're planning that nothing else happens to prevent opening the first week of November," Poole said.

Wohlsen, the Lancaster-based general contractor for the DoubleTree project, is scheduled to clear the way for Hospitality LLC to start furnishing the hotel in August.

Poole said some construction may continue until Oct. 1, when staff training is expected to begin.

'We will open big'

Retail executive Albert R. Boscov, who has spearheaded the project since its inception, estimates the hotel will employ 100 people.

"We will open big," he said.

According to Boscov, the DoubleTree will be the only four-star hotel in Reading.

Its parking garage is also the largest in Reading, he said.

"It's all about doing more things and creating other steps to make Penn Street viable as a destination location," said Boscov.

He expects the hotel will help draw tourists from Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore.

"The hotel will be lit outside and will shine like a beacon," he said. "Plans are to install lights from the street to the top," Boscov added.

The guest room tower will stretch nine floors, including its basement.

Features amphitheater

According to Christopher Gilbert, senior project manager at Wohlsen for the DoubleTree project, the building also will hold an amphitheater, which he said is a distinctive feature for hotels these days.

The modern amphitheater typically serves as a venue for dinner theater shows and music performances.

Also included in the floor plans are four breakout meeting rooms and two junior ballrooms.

Add a pool, fitness center, a bar, restaurant and buffet and you have it: what looks to be the grandest hotel to grace downtown Reading since the 104-room Abraham Lincoln hotel was completed in 1930.

The Reading Parking Authority owns the DoubleTree Convention Center Garage accessible from the 600 block of Court Street.

The 927-space garage was completed in 2010 and has served the Santander Arena as it awaits completion of the hotel.

Gilbert said there will be about 62 trades packages in the work Wohlsen started in January 2014.

The contracts will include all phases of construction right down to wall paint and carpet.

Furnishings, draperies, linens and computers will be provided by Hospitality LLC once it takes possession of the building, he said.

Custom chandeliers

According to Gilbert, Wohlsen will assist in scheduling for owner-provided items such as custom chandeliers and laundry equipment that would need to be installed prior to the move-in date.

Private funds have played a major role in construction of the DoubleTree project. In addition, the Greater Berks Development Fund set aside $1 million for the project from a $5 million loan from the state.

In school district work in Berks, Wohlsen Construction has completed new construction projects for Fleetwood's Willow Creek Elementary School, Reading's Millmont Elementary and ASE Magnet School and Wyomissing's West Reading Elementary Center. Wohlsen Senior Vice President Bud Grove said the company builds projects that range from $100,000 to $75 million.

Source: Reading Eagle