High above the city, where Mt. Penn meets the clouds, the unmistakable silhouette of the Pagoda rises from the forested ridge like a storybook scene. For generations, the seven-story red landmark has watched over Reading—its tiered eaves and glowing lights a symbol of endurance, identity, and quiet wonder. And now, more than a century since its construction, the Pagoda is entering a new era.
In April 2025, the City of Reading officially began a major restoration of the Pagoda, a long-planned and much-needed investment into the structure’s longevity. While the building itself is temporarily closed to the public, the surrounding grounds remain open from sunrise to sunset, giving visitors a close-up view of a landmark in transition.
A Symbol of Reading
The Pagoda has long defied convention and expectation. Commissioned in 1906 by William A. Witman, Sr. as a lavish mountaintop resort to overlook his stone quarry, the Pagoda was completed in 1908 but never opened for business. A denied liquor license and bank foreclosure halted the dream before it began. In 1911, the Pagoda was sold to the City of Reading for just one dollar—a symbolic transaction that cemented its future as a public treasure rather than a private retreat.
Since then, the building has served as a scenic overlook, a cultural destination, and an icon of the city. The Pagoda’s red nighttime glow has become a source of comfort for locals, many of whom consider it more than just a building—it’s a guardian, a backdrop to memories, and a signal of home.
“I remember you used to be able to throw a dollar in the donation bin to climb the stairs,” recalled David Anspach, Capital Project Manager for the City of Reading. “This is an icon for our community, and I’m really glad to get it renovated and get it back to the public.”
Inside the Renovation
The $4.7 million restoration project—funded through a mix of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and city investment—is comprehensive. Construction officially began on April 1 and will span through the end of 2025. The building will be enveloped in scaffolding by the end of May and is expected to remain fully covered until early October. Notably, the Pagoda’s signature lights will go dark on June 1 during electrical upgrades, with a goal to restore the glow by December 25—“to blink for Santa,” as tradition holds.
Much of the work is invisible from the outside but vital for the building’s future. Structural repairs to aging concrete beams, regrouting of stonework, restoration of handcrafted tiles, and upgrades to heating and fire systems are all underway. Inside, outdated carpeting has been stripped, restrooms will be rebuilt for ADA compliance, and lighting throughout the Pagoda is being converted to energy-efficient LEDs—respecting the original fixtures where possible while modernizing for sustainability.
A key element of the restoration is conservation. “We contacted the Pagoda Foundation, Public Works, and the Artifacts Bank before removing anything. Only after those rounds did we clear out what was left,” said Anspach, emphasizing the city’s effort to preserve historic materials and minimize waste.
The building’s kitchen will be refitted for use as a catering space rather than food preparation, creating new opportunities for private events while maintaining the building’s historic character. And though the Pagoda’s architecture limits options for accessibility retrofits, plans are underway to build an ADA-accessible driveway to the lower level, improving access for all.
A Future Rooted in the Past
Even while it undergoes transformation, the Pagoda continues to draw visitors. On clear days, its overlook offers views that stretch to Philadelphia’s skyline in the east and Hawk Mountain in the west. The site’s natural beauty, paired with its architectural uniqueness, continues to inspire.
For Anspach—who grew up in Reading in the 1990s—the Pagoda is more than a project. “This is something that means a lot to me personally,” he said. “And I think it means a lot to the city, too.”
The renovation marks more than a construction timeline—it’s a reaffirmation of what the Pagoda represents: a beacon of Reading’s past, present, and future. And when its lights return this December, they won’t just illuminate a mountain. They’ll shine with the promise of renewal.
