What’s the scoop on North American Street? If you’ve tried to bike, walk, or drive across the wide industrial strip from Crane Arts to West Berks Street lately, you’ve been met by backhoes, dirt piles, and bright neon construction signs. Even the Don Quixote statue at N. American and Girard (a gift from the city of Ciudad Real to the Spanish-speaking people of South Kensington in 1997) was wrapped in protective wood planks when construction kicked off last fall.
Development is coming to this stretch, known for decades as a shuttered skeleton of its once-bustling industrial past. Gone are knitting mills, candy manufacturers, cardboard factories, and hosiery producers, although prosperous Chaes Food Distribution still thrives alongside a handful of automotive garages and building supply shops. This area is now in the middle of an improvement project that’ll bring residential and commercial new construction framed in a unique way for the City of Philadelphia…with GREEN SPACE and PEDESTRIAN and BIKE FRIENDLY WALKWAYS! Wahoo!
All images: American Street Improvement Project
All part of a federally funded program, the renovation and improvement project takes place along a two-mile stretch between Girard and Indiana Street. Aside from aesthetic improvements, the main crux of the project plays an important part in helping redirect stormwater.
North American Street is part of a combined sewage area, which means rain runoff and sewage from nearby homes are directed to one pipe running under the concrete of this wide expansive street. As you can imagine, in heavy rains, this results in overflow. That overflow goes directly into the Delaware River. Yikes!
The perennials, grasses, and shrubs that were carefully planned and landscaped, capture the heavy rain runoff, absorbing it into the ground. This gives the pipe drainage system a break and allows sewage levels to stay where they are meant to be.
These new improvements have also piqued the interest of home buyers. A quick stroll to Fishtown and Northern Liberties, the area surrounding North American Street has everything you need for city living with ease. With both new construction and classic Philly rowhomes to choose from, much of this area sits in the approved Neighborhood Opportunity Program zone, which lets buyers put only 3% down with no PMI!
Whether you are looking to buy or just passing through one afternoon, here is a list of stops in the Kensington area of North American Street that you won’t want to miss.
left to right: @new_liberty_distillery, @original13ciderworks, @fermenteryform, @reanimatorcoffee
Get Your Drink On
New Liberty Distillery- This distillery took up residence in 2013 in a converted stable, complete with restored horse stalls. It also has a bar and tasting room. Head over on the weekend for a tour, or keep an eye on their Instagram for their latest events.
Original 13 - Cider, ample GF menu, tons of board games and a dining room that has an original train track in the floor. I mean how cool is this joint? Make an afternoon and order your mug-o-mead ASAP. Show off your smarts and check out their weekly quizzo!
ReAnimator Coffee- Grab a cup to stay and snag a table in the light-drenched Kensington location. You are welcome to laptop it up at one of the many tables, but we suggest you meet up with a friend and soak in the atmosphere.
left to right: @theresourceexchange, @nextfab_phl, @theclaystudiophl, keystoneminigolf.com
Make Something
The REStore and Next Fab- This partnership will be sharing a 60,000+ SQFT building at 1800 N American St. REstore is now open! With so many movies and shows filming they are choc full of props and cool things. Stalk their IG to stay ahead of the deals. If you don’t already have your membership to Next Fab be sure to grab one now! You’ll find access to tools, technology, education, events, and services for makers of any skill level. The new home will include a shared gallery, space for educational workshops and even rent-able artist studios.
Keystone Bike - Make your bike work again! While you are 1800 N American St. head into to this co-op owned bike shop that services adventure and distance cyclists to everyday commuters and casual riders. Their goal is to make cycling more accessible to members of our community by providing personalized and knowledgeable service, products, and community programming. KBC aims to be a hub for cycling advocacy and inspiration in Philadelphia. They want to gear up riders for their everyday adventure, whether it is around the block or around the world.
The Clay Studio - The Clay Studio’s new is building open! The new space will feature classrooms, space for new kilns, as well as exhibition galleries.
left to right: @provenancecompanies, BeatyAmerican, @cranearts
Be Inspired
Provenance- If your new home needs beautiful flooring or a set of vintage designer chairs, be sure to stop by Provenance. Specializing in sophisticated ways to incorporate reclaimed materials, take a peek at their portfolio of breathtaking projects in Philly and across the country.
Beaty American- Designers and construction aficionados alike will love getting lost in the aisles of this warehouse. Their Facebook features all the latest and greatest, but it is worth stopping in on a weekend afternoon just for fun. Who knows, you may leave with some hand-carved doors if you aren’t careful!
Crane Arts Building- Housing artist studios and galleries the historical Crane Arts is one to keep on your radar. Be on the lookout for First Friday and Second Thursday events such as Art for the Cash Poor. Looking for a place to say ‘I do’—they’ll work you in, but know the art schedule comes first.
With revitalization coming to North American Street, we can’t wait to see what else joins this already vibrant community. If you’d like to explore properties in this area, call, email, or text us, or fill out the form below and we can get you started. We’ll be sure to work a cup of coffee or a drink into the tour, your pick!
