Wilkes-Barre's Public Square Undergoes Transformation

New hotel, fitness center, and dining venue coming to downtown area

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Downtown Wilkes-Barre's Public Square is in the midst of a transformation, with several new developments underway. The former Rite Aid building is being repurposed as a gym and fitness center, while the long-vacant First National Bank building will become a new dining and entertainment venue. Additionally, a 110-room hotel and convention center is planned for the former Martz office building, and the Church on the Square has relocated to make way for the new hotel.

Why it matters

These changes to Public Square represent a broader shift in the composition of businesses and land use in downtown Wilkes-Barre. As traditional retail and office spaces evolve, the city is seeing an increase in hospitality, dining, and entertainment options, as well as more residential development. This diversification of the downtown economy is seen as crucial for its long-term resilience.

The details

The former Rite Aid building, which originally housed a five-and-dime store, is being converted into a gym and fitness center. Across the square, the long-vacant First National Bank building has a liquor license application, indicating plans for a new dining and entertainment venue. Additionally, developer Hysni 'Sam' Syla announced plans to transform the former Martz office building into a 110-room hotel and convention center. To make way for the new hotel, the Church on the Square has relocated to a space on South River Street.

  • In May 2025, Syla announced plans to transform the former Martz office building into a hotel and convention center.
  • In the past five months, the Church on the Square has been renovating and moving into its new space on South River Street.

The players

Hysni 'Sam' Syla

A developer who announced plans to transform the former Martz office building into a 110-room hotel and convention center.

Louis Smyth

The pastor of the Church on the Square, which has relocated to a new space on South River Street.

Larry Newman

The executive director of Diamond City Partnership, the downtown management organization in Wilkes-Barre.

John Basalyga

The developer who acquired the First National Bank building and plans to turn it into a food and entertainment venue.

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What they’re saying

“We'll see where God takes us. Lord willing, the church will grow and, more importantly, we'll have some opportunities to evangelize in the city.”

— Louis Smyth, Pastor (citizensvoice.com)

“One of the challenges that we have had in Downtown Wilkes-Barre for a number of years is that we do not have enough hotel rooms here to be able to compete effectively for a meaningful segment of the potential hospitality market that's out there, particularly the sector that needs a larger room count for activities like regional and statewide conferences and conventions.”

— Larry Newman, Executive Director, Diamond City Partnership (citizensvoice.com)

“Downtown Wilkes-Barre really needs these types of building on the square.”

— John Basalyga, Developer (citizensvoice.com)

What’s next

Once design is complete, Basalyga intends to begin acquiring food and beverage equipment and repairing and restoring the ceilings and plasterwork in the First National Bank building later this year.

The takeaway

The transformation underway in Wilkes-Barre's Public Square reflects a broader shift in the city's downtown, as it moves away from a traditional business district model towards a more diversified mix of hospitality, dining, entertainment, and residential uses. This evolution is seen as crucial for the long-term resilience of the downtown area.