What’s in season in Old Kensington this fall? Urban Topiary.
The Flats at Girard Pointe’s living sculpture will be unveiled on October 15. What is this Urban Topiary, exactly? The sculpture is made from over 100 digitally fabricated galvanized steel tubes that will host ivy and flowering vines.
During our last Meet the Builders Tour, we were hugely impressed with the Flats, but the Topiary was not ready yet. This is the element that we were most curious about and we are quite excited to see it in person, in all of its street-art-meets-eco-design glory. Go see it for yourself and take a tour of the Flats. It is one of the more innovative and cutting-edge project designs we have seen this year.
For more info on this project, please contact the Somers Team.
It’s a funny thing, but as a blogger, you automatically start to become more invested in photography, more so than you ever were before. Your blog can be extremely thoughtful and provocative, but if you don’t have good photography, or any images at all, you’re only putting in half the effort. In the current scope of things, when smartphones are equipped to shoot above standard point-and-shoot quality, there is no excuse. Anyone can take a decent shot, right? Maybe.
But there is still something about a person who has the ability to frame and execute their images so brilliantly that they halt us. Especially photographers that can take excellent photos with pinhole cameras. These cameras have a single tiny hole and no lens, with a lengthier exposure and some real skills required to operate.Pinhole Dreams, a Nexus Gallery exhibition, will showcase pinhole photographers this month. To see some amazing scenes and the eyes behind them, don’t miss the Opening Reception on Thursday, October 14, from 6 – 9 pm. The following photographers will be featured:
Did you ever think you would spend an evening recycling and have a really good time?
Glassphemy is coming to the Crane Arts Building on October 12, and this installation/recycling center encourages you to bring your glass bottles and give it your best shot. Yes, they want you to throw your glass at it.
Sounds dangerous, but the 20-by-30 foot steel structure is designed to recycle your glass bottles and is made with bulletproof glass.
The project was conceived in Philadelphia by Macro Sea.
So whether you’re blowing off some steam or just want to pretend you’re pitching for the Phillies, go visit this unique installation and get some recycling off of your hands.
And the options are endless for these warehouse spaces located in Fishtown and Old Kensington, two neighborhoods that are at the forefront of design and opportunity in Philadelphia
What will you do with your new warehouse? Here are just a few cool ideas…
1) Store stuff in it. Cool stuff.
2) Use it as a carpenter’s workshop or an artist studio, or open a gallery. We’re thinking of the Crane Arts Building.
3) Remodel into a live/work space like a groovy movie star in NYC.
4) Divide into condos and sell like a real estate guru.
5) Rent it out and become a landlord and possibly become a millionaire. You never know.
6) Host a killer party in it and gain the respect and admiration of all of your friends. They’ll be tweeting about it for days.
7) Knock it down and build a 60 story skyscraper or a 3 story rowhome. Whatever works.
8 ) Film a music video inside like OK Go which will become viral and seal your fate for fame.
9) Build a brewery in it and have free beer forever. You could be the next Yards. Or open a speakeasy, and please, invite us.
10) Use it as a topic of conversation at dull cocktail parties and tell them about your skyscraper idea.
Or you could do something totally practical and use it as extra storage or for band practice, but we just couldn’t help ourselves! Want to come scope out our warehouse investment opportunities? Contact the Somers Team today.
Now there is extra incentive to become a member of the KCFC (Kensington Community Food Co-op). If the Co-op reaches 100 members, it will qualify for new levels of grant support. So how badly do you want a co-op in Kensington? The next 30 members who join will receive a limited edition re-usable grocery bag screenprinted by high school students in Norris Square. The next 10 members who join will receive extremely limited edition hand-painted versions of the grocery bags. And before you know it, you’ll get to use this very bag to shop at your neighborhood co-op. Sounds like the right idea to us!
To become a member, visit http://www.kcfoodcoop.com/membership. You can pay with credit card, PayPal, or check. Just fill out the membership application form, submit your payment and you are the newest member! Or bring a check or cash to one of the KCFC’s tables. Saturdays at Greensgrow in October, or this Saturday at Girard Fest.
Here is an absolutely charming 2 bedroom home for sale in Old Kensington that you can move right into. This brick front 2 story has a lot of curb appeal. The interior features are equally appealing which include:
Remodeled eat-in kitchen boasts of solid hard wood cabinets, granite counters, stainless appliances and plenty of counter space
Hardwood floors throughout the entire house
Updated hall bathroom with beautiful neutral tiles
Clean cement fenced in rear yard
Full unfinished basement with all utilities in excellent working order
This 2 bedroom home for sale in Old Kensington is extremely well maintained inside and out and is located on a friendly block, that is close to public transportation.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our Meet the Builders Tour in Old Kensington – it was a great evening in an exciting neighborhood with some new construction to match.
We started off at 1355-59 Mascher St, which gave us sunny bedrooms, handsome floors, and endless views of the city from the deck. We sipped some “House” wine and snacked on quesadillas, sopes, and chips from nearby taqueria, Taco Riendo. Then David Gleeson (Crane Arts and other development projects) stopped by to clue us in on new construction in Kensington South/Old Kensington and the future of the neighborhood. What we learned? Old Kensington is a prime example of how developers will follow the artists to an under-tapped neighborhood. The advice? Invest now, while prices are still within reach.
After that, we took a quick walk over to 3rd Street to the Flats at Girard Pointe, where this successful project already has owners moved in. We toured an unfinished unit that was waiting for custom finishings and a unit that was recently completed. One owner was even kind enough to have his home available to view and he walked us through his stunning and spacious oasis. It was an unexpected surprise and our tourgoers loved it. Developer Jeff Tubbs then hosted drinks and snacks at his own flat.
For the final leg of our tour, we had scheduled a walk through the Crane Arts Building during 2nd Thursday, which is just a quick walk from the Flats at Girard Pointe. One of the owners, Nicholas Kripal, started with the history of the building and then took us through some of the artists studios so that we could see how it all worked. Kripal is a Ceramics Teacher at Tyler School of Art and is an important and respected member of the art community in Philadelphia. He talked about some upcoming projects that they are working on, so stay tuned for more from the visionaries behind Crane Arts.
So, thank you to those who were involved and those who spent their Thursday evening with us. We hope you will join us again soon. And as always, for information on Old Kensington and what’s happening there, explore more on our blog.
On July 28th, we hope you’ll stop by the REMAX Access office in Northern Liberties for a first time home buyer session called the PHFA $500 Grant Program with the NKCDC. The session is free and there will be refreshments, guest speakers, and valuable information.
Whether you are buying soon or hope to in the future, now is the time to get up to speed on the home buying process and to gain the credentials and see if you qualify for a free city grant to help first time buyers with closing costs. NKCDC will be discussing the government grant program that will contribute up to $500 to eligible buyers. Those that qualify for the grant during this session will fulfill the prerequisite counseling needed to collect the grant money.
We at REMAX Access are excited about the opportunity to serve the community in our air conditioned office with incredible views. Bring a friend!
Reason # 650: The cucumber-infused water, one of Quince’s summer drinks guaranteed to soothe parched throats.
We could go on, and we will. The tiny specialty market that is Quince has a number of gourmet foodstuffs and lunch specials, all priced quite finely (sandwiches and salads are in the $6 range, a lunch combo with a drink and chips is $8). Examples of specials include Goat Cheese and Grilled Veggie Quiche, Tortilla de patatas with aioli and piquillo peppers, and a panini of Prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto and roasted red peppers.
Most importantly, perhaps, is the cheese selection at Quince, making it the cheese plate enthusiast’s one stop shop. Since Quince clearly knows it strengths, cheese tastings are held every month.
May’s tasting is on the 22nd, at 4 and 6 pm, and is $12 per person, which includes 3 picnic cheese samplings – a marinated chevre, a Basque-style cheese, and a runny French cheese. To reserve a spot, email quince@quincefinefoods.com or call 215-232-3425.
Quince can also cater your event, and will create the ultimate cheese spread for your guests, with more quince paste than you could possibly dream of. They stock carefully selected products from Spain, Di Bruno Bros, Stonewall Kitchen, and Metropolitan Bakery.
What’s in season in
It’s a funny thing, but as a blogger, you automatically start to become more invested in photography, more so than you ever were before. Your blog can be extremely thoughtful and provocative, but if you don’t have good photography, or any images at all, you’re only putting in half the effort. In the current scope of things, when smartphones are equipped to shoot above standard point-and-shoot quality, there is no excuse. Anyone can take a decent shot, right? Maybe.
Did you ever think you would spend an evening recycling and have a really good time?
We have 2 warehouses for sale in great locations:
1) Store stuff in it. Cool stuff.
Now there is extra incentive to become a member of the 
An educated consumer is a force to reckon with!
