A recent site visit by Philadelphia YIMBY has observed that construction work is complete at Fishtown-Urby, a five-story, 204-unit development underway at 1700 North Front Street in Fishtown. The building stands in place of a parking lot that spanned a block bound by the Front Street, which carries the elevated Market-Frankford subway line, to the east, Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the south, Hope Street to the west, and Palmer Street to the north. Designed by NORR, the 172,844-square-foot project offers 123,218 square feet of residential space (including 28 studios, 141 one-bedroom units, 35 two-bedroom apartments, and a 5,264-square-foot amenity suite) and 16,429 square feet of retail. The development also provides storage for 70 bicycles.
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
1700 North Front Street. Photo by Jamie Meller. June 2025
Aerial view of the site of 1700 North Front Street. Credit: NORR
While some of the cutaway sections are painted in bright pastel colors as the renderings initially suggested, the elevation facing the site’s southeastern corner offers a pleasant surprise. Here, at the intersection of Front Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, the slanted elevation is painted in an abstract blue-white mural. The crisp artwork offers detail-dense vertical bands decorated with art inspired by classic tattoo styles, among other themes. Window spandrels are treated in a triangular trompe-l’œil design. We wish to see similarly intriguing art to adorn the remainder of similar slanted wall sections throughout the project.
1700 North Front Street is a high-density addition to a centrally-located, transit-accessible location situated two blocks south of the Berks Station on the El, as well as a 15-minute walk to Northern Liberties to the south and a half-hour walk to Temple University to the west.
1700 North Front Street. Credit: NORR
Rendering of 1700 North Front Street. Credit: NORR.
1700 North Front Street. Credit: NORR
1700 North Front Street. Site plan. Credit: NORR
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
That’s a bigga building! Nice to see some street trees. -Jim
For those who enjoy life unencumbered by the hassle and costs of auto ownership, Fishtown Urby is ideal. Public trans is readily available and the shops, restaurants, bars, culture, and nightlife of Frankford Ave. are only two blocks away.
The mural is both stunning and playful.
There are two lush courtyards and a rooftop deck for grilling and chilling.
From Urby’s website: Amenities include an Onsite Cafe, 24/7 Gym, Turf Lined Weight Zone, Peloton Fitness Classes, Hideaway for Private Events, Two Courtyards, Dog Park, Roof Terrace, Al-Fresco Dining, BBQ Grills, Fire Pits, and a WFH Study.
Now that this project is complete, there are HUGE developments in my part of town, just outside of the city in an area served by SEPTA bus route 22 and the suburban rail.
Are you going to cover the SEPTA transit plan for the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway and the Market-Frankford Line extension?
Are you allowed to cover the transit budget crisis?