Kensington for Dummies, Part I.
Are you afflicted with Confused-by-Kensington-itis? Do you find yourself asking "What is Kensington"? We hear this question from buyers, sellers, and Philadelphians from all over and we hear it OFTEN. Not many people can decide on the boundaries, exactly which part of Kensington they're visiting, or if they should just pretend it's Fishtown or Northern Liberties.
Even Kensingtonians themselves are not always sure where exactly they are.
Old Kensington, New Kensington, East Kensington, West Kensington, Kensington South, Port Fishington. There's so much Kensington out there that we decided it was time. Time for what? Kensington for Dummies.
Kensington is a section of Lower Northeast Philadelphia with the boundaries of Lehigh Avenue to the North, North 6th Street and Germantown Avenue to the West, York Street, Norris Street, and Frankford Avenue to the South and East (that sounds confusing but we'll break it down for you below). It's safe to refer to this entire area as Kensington if anyone asks. Remember to K.I.S.S. - Kensington is Simple, Stupid!
Kensington was a manufacturing center in the 18-and-early-1900's and was a hub for the textile industry.
Kensington can be broken up into 3 main areas: West Kensington, Old Kensington, and East or New Kensington.
Now let's start West and go from there:
West Kensington covers a significant chunk of land at 3.72 miles around. Think Lehigh Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue, and N. 6th and Germantown Avenue to Frankford Avenue. The West is generally residential these days, but you can still see the many factories of its early years, that have recently been converted to stylish lofts for local artists -- our favorite woodworking genius has set up shop there.
View West Kensington in a larger map
Ready to move on to the rest of Kensington? Let that sink in and check in with us tomorrow for Part II.
Energy Star & EcoSmart at 1932 E. Arizona Street
1932 E. Arizona Street is a real deal...just check out how it stacks up to similar homes in the area of Fishtown and East Kensington. Although the concept homes are built with the philosophy of sustainable materials and are Leed Certified, many consumers looking to buy are just simply priced out of that market.
Arizona is a great alternative...and has all Energy Star appliances, including a Fisher & Paykel Ecosmart Washer, Intuitive DGIX2 Dryer, LG French Door Refrigerator LFX25950, Asko Dishwasher D3350, Marvin Integrity Windows, and Trane 4TTR3 Split System AC - with extended warranties! The silver-coated EPDM roof reduces house temperatures in the summer! Now that sounds like a real deal, doesn't it?
Concept Homes-
21XX Susquehanna $309,900 1,440 sq ft 2 bedrooms taxes $529
21XX Susquehanna $299,900 1,296 sq ft 2 bedrooms taxes $397
ReSourced Renovation - recycling through rehab - which home is the real deal when it comes to sustainability?
1932 Arizona $210,000 1,585 sq ft 3 bedrooms
taxes $352
For more information about 1932 E. Arizona Street, contact Frank Ratka III, 267-228-8497, frankratka3@verizon.net
Related:
So Fresh & So Clean in Fishtown
The Arizona Video Tour:
The Arizona Video Tour: The Living Room at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Kitchen at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Loft at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Bedrooms at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Updated Bathroom at 1932 E. Arizona Street
Philly Spring Cleanup: Calling Kensington South!
We mentioned it earlier this month in Tip Jar and we'll say it again: Don't fight the Spring Cleaning Fever! All around the city on April 2nd, you can join in on cleanups in your community. To get involved, visit Philly Spring Cleanup 2011.
Related:
Tip Jar: Don’t Fight the Spring Cleaning Fever
Warm and Inviting Living Room? Check.
What's so crucial about a Warm & Inviting Living Room? Well, for one thing, when you're watching your favorite TV show or cuddling up for movie night, you want a room that's comfier than any theater you've ever been in.
When family and visitors pop by, your living room instantly becomes your social hub. Make them feel like they're at home, too.
For those serious talks and in times of need, your living room is home base. Does it feel open and welcome to deep discussion?
You laugh there. You cry there. You share there. You live there.
So if a Warm & Inviting Living Room is on your list of wants, we've got a few in mind. We just love the living rooms at 2568 and 70 Collins Street in Fishtown.
These 2 New Construction 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath homes with garages feature beautiful 2nd floor living rooms that are both warm and inviting. There are Juliette balconies, a rear yard and plenty of modern amenities to enjoy.
Please contact the Somers Team for more information.
Related:
Bathing Has Never Been So Luxurious at 2568-70 Collins Street
Leave the Burbs and Keep the Garage!
PBC Tour in Fishtown: A Closer Look at 2568-70 Collins Street
PBC Tour in Fishtown: Pretzels, Beer, and Collins Street
So Fresh & So Clean in Fishtown
In Fishtown and East Kensington, the feeling of new has taken hold.
By new, we mean plenty of fresh developments are in the works, including a new project from G8 Builders that will break ground in the next couple of weeks on Amber, York, and Dauphin Streets. G8's retrofit at 2045 York Street is up for sale now and they are completing another retrofit on Susquehanna Avenue. You can read more about G8's exciting developments in Fishtown here. Be sure to check out the videos for details of the "Greenovation" projects.
The LEED-Certified Coral Street Project is also in the works, with plans for "Home Automation" and Continuous Sun Reflected Roofing.
US Construction Homes (currently moving at lightning speed on their current Amber Street additions) just broke ground on 2 more houses for Amber Street.
And finally, the Clean part of this post? You may have noticed the streets are close to sparkling these days in East Kensington and you can thank the Second Saturday Street Sweepers - this group is committed to cleanups every month - rain, shine or snow. Now hopefully they'll get a little sunshine to sweep in. This small committee targets 2-3 blocks a month.
Thanks to Lori Winkelman for the updates!
Lori currently has a home for sale at 1932 E. Arizona Street in the East Kensington/Fishtown area, which was featured last week on our Arizona Video Tour. Check out the videos below!
The Arizona Video Tour:
The Arizona Video Tour: The Living Room at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Kitchen at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Loft at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Bedrooms at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Updated Bathroom at 1932 E. Arizona Street
Related:
EKNA Meeting Recap: From Guest Blogger Lori Winkelman
[image via G8 Builders]
Bathing Has Never Been So Luxurious at 2568-70 Collins Street
A European inspired bath with floating vanity made of zebra wood, striated white rectangular tiles and a pebble floor beneath your feet. This is the bath you have always wanted.
These two homes at 2568-70 Collins Street in Fishtown have all of the modern amenities that you need for some luxe lavatory living. Think of how much time you spend in your bathroom. Don't you deserve a smartly designed, peaceful environment to retreat to? The bathroom matters...and we're loving the look and feel of these Collins Street powder rooms.
Please contact the Somers Team for more information.
Related:
Leave the Burbs and Keep the Garage!
PBC Tour in Fishtown: A Closer Look at 2568-70 Collins Street
PBC Tour in Fishtown: Pretzels, Beer, and Collins Street
How We Love Thee Romantic Balcony. Let us Count the Ways.
We Heart Romantic Balconies. For the reasons below and far more...the balcony is a stage reserved for reflection and quiet moments, for appreciating your environment and admiring the view, for taking a minute for yourself.
- The Urban Garden Oasis you've always wanted
- Modern Day Romeo & Juliet moments
- Watching the sun rise...and set
- Reading on your Kindle or iPad on the first warm spring evening
- Catching the fireworks with a glass of champagne
- Shopping for balcony furniture for your peaceful outdoor escape
There are just a few balcony opportunities in Philadelphia, and here are two of them: 2568-70 Collins Street in Fishtown, 2 New Construction Homes with 3 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths.
Please contact the Somers Team for more information and other romantic balcony opportunities...
Related:
Leave the Burbs and Keep the Garage!
PBC Tour in Fishtown: A Closer Look at 2568-70 Collins Street
PBC Tour in Fishtown: Pretzels, Beer, and Collins Street
Sweet Spots in Fishtown
From 4 - 6 pm on weekdays at Leotah's Place Coffeehouse in Fishtown/East Kensington, something sweet is going on.
Latte Happy Hour...yum. 50 cents off your late afternoon pick-me-up. What we really love about this coffeehouse is how the sandwiches are named after nearby streets (Boston Street, Hagert Street, etc.) and they carry famous Stock's Bakery pound cake...in case you need something to go with your sweet beverage.
Speaking of sweet, we have a sweet house in walking distance from Leotah's...1932 E. Arizona Street is a must-see 3 Bedroom 3 Bath home in this super sweet location that puts you right in the middle of the action. Just check out our map below.
For more information, contact Frank Ratka III, 267-228-8497, frankratka3@verizon.net
Check out these other cool events happening this February at Leotah's:
Leotah's Place
2033 E. York St.
Philadelphia PA 19125
267-519-9031
Related:
Welcome Leotah’s Place, A New Kensington Coffee House
The Arizona Video Tour:
The Arizona Video Tour: The Living Room at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Kitchen at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Loft at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Bedrooms at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Updated Bathroom at 1932 E. Arizona Street
New Daycare at 2424 Studios in Fishtown
Fishtown is well-known as a very family-friendly neighborhood, but one question we hear often from potential homebuyers searching there is:
"Are there nearby daycare centers?"
We're happy to know that we now have another answer to that question.
Starlight Starbright Play and Learn has opened at 2424 Studios on York Street, serving the neighborhoods of Fishtown and East Kensington. The licensed and insured childcare center with over 20 years of experience welcomes infants and older children for enrollment.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Starlight Starbright!
Starlight Starbright Play and Learn
2424 Studios, Suite 101, 2410-50 E. York Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
267-455-0588
Hours: 7 AM - 6 PM
EKNA Meeting Recap: From Guest Blogger Lori Winkelman
In case you missed the East Kensington Neighbors Association Meeting, resident Lori Winkelman fills us in on what was discussed -- from the latest in real estate, festival happenings, and even a moment of appreciation for the local police district:
The most recent real estate development news is that US Construction will begin building a total of 21 new, 3-story, luxury homes along Trenton Ave., infilling along Susquehanna and Trenton Ave. They have the approval of our local zoning board to move forward with the project and building is slated to begin right away. The homes will be in the $350-400,000 range.
Also in development news: The G-8 developers are completing the retrofit on 2045 E. York St., which went on the market 19 days ago for $264,000. Neighbors are also saying that G8 is breaking ground on the last remaining corner of Amber and Susquehanna.
In other news, the Trenton Ave. Arts Festival will be on May 21st from 12-5pm. In the past it has attracted over 4,000 visitors and artists/vendors from as far away as Canada. They are gearing up now and looking for food vendors, musicians and artists as well as volunteers. Anyone interested should contact Krista or Zak at eknaartsfest@gmail.com or 484-432-6703.
EKNA plans for 11 community clean-up events during 2011, and a member will be tracking all 311 complaints and streamlining resident requests to expedite the city's response time. Check out EKNA's Facebook Page for photos of clean-ups and other events.
The Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia had such a successful partnership with EKNA this past year with the unveiling of their first mural in our neighborhood that they are continuing the partnership this year and intend to continue to enhance public art in the neighborhood.
EKNA will be officially registering to become a non-profit this year and has a number of plans on the table ranging from continuing to manage and maintain Emerald Park, to developing and selling a community cookbook, and maybe adding another festival in the fall geared to children and families.
It was vastly encouraging when our local police officers arrived to the meeting to take down complaints and concerns, and there were ZERO! I have been to those meetings where there is a list a mile long, but the residents for the first time ever said, "Keep up the good work, your presence is improving our neighborhood!"
I nearly fell out of my chair. :)
-Lori Winkelman
Lori currently has a home for sale at 1932 E. Arizona Street in the East Kensington/Fishtown area, which was featured last week on our Arizona Video Tour. Check out the videos below!
The Arizona Video Tour:
The Arizona Video Tour: The Living Room at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Kitchen at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Loft at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Bedrooms at 1932 E. Arizona Street
The Arizona Video Tour: The Updated Bathroom at 1932 E. Arizona Street
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