The Knitting Mills

In 1892, Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen founded Textile Machine Works in Reading, PA. Four years later they purchased a site in Wyomissing, PA for $1, relocated their business, and ultimately launched the largest worldwide manufacturing company of its kind, The Berkshire Knitting Mills.  The property transformed over 125 years from the The Berkshire Knitting Mills, to the Vanity Fair Outlet Capital of the World, and finally to The NEW Knitting Mills, a 700,000 SF innovative mixed-use campus.

The Knitting Mills is now home to Tower Health’s Corporate Offices and IT Training Center, UGI’s Energy Services Headquarters and on site amenities including McDonalds, Wawa, Orthopedics Associates of Reading LTD, and Sly Fox Brewing Company.

Client
Equis Commercial Real Estate, Inc.

Location
Wyomissing, PA

Market Segment

Commercial / Mixed-Use

Contact

Erik Garton, P.E.
Executive Vice President

Timothy Casey, P.E.
Senior Project Manager

G&A provided civil engineering, land surveying, geotechnical, structural and forensic, water resources, and landscape architecture services for The Knitting Mills’ (formerly Vanity Fair) $70M Redevelopment Project.


Civil Engineering

The redevelopment at The Knitting Mills occurred on an existing development parcel containing 16.5 acres of buildings and parking lots. To bring the site back to a focal point in the Reading, Pennsylvania area, a redevelopment strategy was necessary. G&A devised a plan to overcome the challenges of historic infrastructure, honor the heritage and beauty of the area, provide modern amenities for its new occupants, and help stimulate local economic growth.

Land Surveying

Land Surveying services for the redevelopment of The Knitting Mills included Boundary and Topographic Survey, utilizing aerial survey mapping planimetrics, supplemental conventional ground survey, ALTA/NSPS, and Land Title Survey.

Geotechnical

G&A provided a range of Geotechnical services for the redevelopment of The Knitting Mills. On-call support associated with sinkhole subsidence, and an unknown encounter with subsurface historical features were provided in rapid fashion to expedite a mitigation plan and maintain project schedules.

Structural and Forensic

G&A’s Structural and Forensic department was called in to perform Rapid Response services when the existing underground tunnels presented a conflict with the installation of utility structures.

Water Resources

During the demolition and renovation of the annex buildings, an existing sanitary sewer main was discovered underneath the structures. G&A’s Water Resources department televised the tunnels to access the conditions and recommend repairs.

Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture services included overall site landscape, sustainable site design, and lighting plans to satisfy the municipality’s ordinance requirements. Sustainable site features included rain gardens, parking lot landscaping, and pedestrian oriented streetscape improvements.

A New Community of Strength and Economic Development

By honoring the past and focusing on the present, The Knitting Mills transformed into a pillar of community strength and economic development.