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New Digs: New Construction Means New Possibilities At Kensington Yards

When Rebecca made the decision to put her money on Kensington Yards, she wasn’t even in the market. Rebecca had rented her Northern Liberties apartment through Solo Realty for fourteen years. So, she was eager to check out this ambitious project undertaken by ourselves at Solo, Bright Common Architecture, and Red Oak builders.

 

 

While this Philly educator had long been hesitant to take the plunge into home ownership, once she saw this Kensington Yards unit she was sold. The new construction condominiums have eco-friendly appliances, local artisan made features, and salvaged materials. These features struck her as truly unique. Details like that combined with the high ceilings, beautiful light, and roof deck sealed the deal.

 

Since 2001, Rebecca has kept coming back to Philly. While she’s been lucky to travel – for work and pleasure – Philly remains home base. Journeys to India, Kenya and more have inspired her to think through her values in everyday decisions. At the same time, “something about Philly has held me,” she remarks as we gaze over her burgeoning rooftop container garden.

 

 

After renting for so long, the amenities offered by Kensington Yards were true luxuries. The outdoor space, air conditioning, washer/dryer, and storage were all firsts. The most unique first of all? The unexpected connections among residents. A few knew each other years ago, and others are a degree of separation apart. “Small world Philly strikes again,” Rebecca observes.

 

Another plus was how helpful, honest, and communicative Deborah Solo was throughout the buying process. Deborah also connected Rebecca with Christine McAroy who walked her through all of the financing involved in buying a place. Rebecca also worked with two financial advisors she’s known for many years. As a first time homebuyer, the whole operation could not have felt smoother.

 

 

When you see how well her furniture and decor fit in the space it’s clear that Kensington Yards and Rebecca are a great match. Books, furniture, artwork, and trinkets collected from her friends, family, and travels fill the space. The warmth and coziness fostered by her belongings paired with the true integrity of the architecture and design make this new construction condo truly feel like a home.

 

Now, Rebecca is happy to have a place of her own to call home with her cat Niña. You’ll catch the friendly cat nestled in a couch or slinking along the hallway in Rebecca’s new Kensington Yards condo.

 

 

Read more about Kensington Yards in these additional posts on our blog:
Kensington Yards Approaches The Finish Line
Kensington Yards Fuses The Old With The New
Phase Two Groundbreaking

Don’t miss our profile on Bright Common or this Philly Mag feature that just came out!

 

Agent Stories: Exploring Philly Arts Spaces With Niki Cousineau

Niki Cousineau approaches real estate the same way she approaches her practice as a dancer and choreographer – it’s all about space. Niki, a new agent with Solo, appreciates space in all of its forms. She brings this appreciation to her work as a realtor. Who better to help you find your next home than someone who sees the beauty in a whole range of unique spaces?

 

While the connection between dance and real estate might not be readily apparent, a deep emphasis on the spaces we inhabit is something shared by both. Recently Niki took us on a tour of some remarkable arts and performance spaces that most Philadelphians might not have access to normally. Take a look at our insider’s peek at Philly’s cool performance, arts, and practice spaces!

 

The Glass Factory

 

The first place Niki showed us is tucked away on a quiet side street in Brewerytown. From the outside you would never guess the amazing, cavernous space that lies within. Niki first discovered this space with the company she co-directs, Subcircle. Subcircle came to the Glass Factory with their show Hold Still while I figure this out in June 2016. That piece was more recently performed at FringeArts this past fall.

 

One thing that really stands out in the Glass Factory are the raw materials. While the space is simple, the signs of it’s past life as an auto shop give off a raw, edgy vibe. The exposed brick with phrases such as “Cars Washed” and “Brakes” painted on and the iron beams fit in with today’s popular post-industrial vibe. Meanwhile, the spacious stage and skylights add lightness and grace to the room.

While Niki discovered the Glass Factory through her dance and choreography work, the space hosts a wide array of events including music performances, martial arts classes, and art installations.

Subcircle performing at the Glass Factory

 

MAAS Building

 

The second location that Niki gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of was the MAAS Building. This brewery turned trolley repair shop in Olde Kensington is, coincidentally, just two doors down from our project Kensington Yards. Now the building is home to two offices on the ground floor, an events and practice space, a recording studio, a large garden courtyard behind the main building, and a private residence.

When owners Ben and Catherine first acquired the MAAS, it hadn’t been used since its days as a trolley shop. It’s because of this that so much of the original industrial workshop character is preserved. A floor was built to divide the building into two stories, and this diverse practice, performance, work, and home space was born.

 

While one of the most common uses of the upstairs space is actually weddings, Niki and her company Subcircle host their works in progress series and rehearse there. Other local groups that take advantage of this gorgeous, open space are Almanac Dance Circus Theatre and New Paradise Laboratories.

Subcircle in the second floor of the MAAS Building

 

Crane Arts

 

The last space Niki showed us was Crane Arts. Crane Arts is a well established place for artists’ studios and rental space in Olde Kensington. In more recent years they transitioned their Icebox Project Space to having a more structured public presence as well. The Icebox already existed as rental space in the Crane Arts building, in fact, Subcircle did their piece Still Unknown there in 2006. Now they host more regular performances, installations, and shows. With this expanded programming, Crane Arts moves beyond its role as a rental space. The directors are interested in expanding their scope and joining the conversation in Philly’s art community. 

 

Believe it or not, the Crane Arts building used to be a plumbing warehouse. After that a seafood packaging plant called the enormous building home. Between the shuttering of that business and its 2004 purchase, the building remained vacant. The Icebox, which we spent most of our visit in, was actually a giant walk-in freezer back in the days of the packaging plant, hence its name. Some of that original character is still noticeable in the large, blank space suitable for all sorts of performances and installations.

 

An edited photo from a Subcircle performance in the Icebox

Kensington Yards Phase Two Groundbreaking

We at Solo Real Estate, in collaboration with Bright Common and Red Oak Development are so thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of Phase 2 of Kensington Yards. Building B will have a lot in common with the first phase of our project which is fully completed. Although, unlike the first building which incorporated an old, pre-existing structure with new construction, the second building will be all new construction which allows for some additional flexibility in design.

 

Phase 2 will consist of 7 units which will be priced starting in the high $200,000s. You will see many of the finishes that were present in Phase 1 in these units, such as reclaimed wood and poured concrete countertops designed by local artisan Jayme Guokas of Craftwork Design.

 

Especially exciting is that, once the second building is complete, plans for the communal interior courtyard designed by Philadelphia-based landscape architect Hans Hesselein of Apiary Studio will be implemented.

Recently we sat down with Solo’s Alex Franqui to discuss what we can expect from Kensington Yards Phase 2. Here’s what we learned!

 

Question: What’s exciting about Building B?

Alex: The home stretch! It will be great to have 7 exceptionally thought out spaces for sale. In particular, I’m excited about the largest one bedroom, which is about 1,200 square feet on the top two levels. That should be a terrific, one of a kind space.

 

Q: What are the design goals and core values of this phase?

A: We’re looking to provide great light and large, usable spaces that prioritize the daily living experience of the residents while also aiming for energy efficiency. We want to give residents something more than what else is out on the market, and to a create a building that is additive to the community at large. We really want to respect the current built environment while at the same time creating something new and modern that’s nice to look at.

 

Q: What kind of community are you building?

A: This is tough, because we don’t select the members of the community. The community selects itself in a way. We believe that people who prioritize design and appreciate the texture of the neighborhood will want to be members of this community and build on it together. People of various ages and backgrounds have been attracted to the units so far. It is very much a microcosm of our diverse city here in Philadelphia.

 

Q: What role do you see KY playing in the fabric of the neighborhood?

A: We want people to stop and say, “Wow, new construction can look great!” We hope that through our clean, straightforward design we can show people what’s attainable. Maybe some other developers will take notice as well.

 

Q: What’s exciting about Kensington?

A: Kensington is Philadelphia. It’s a mix of industrial, residential, and cutting edge commercial. It’s racially and ethnically diverse. It has room for newcomers and a strong existing community that helps guide the shape of things to come.

The construction begins on Kensington Yards Phase 2!

The target completion date for Phase 2 is August or September 2018 so stay tuned for more information and updates as building progresses! Can’t wait for Phase 2? There are just a couple units from Phase 1 left, available here. Need more info on that communal courtyard ASAP? Check out our profile of Hans Hesselein of Apiary Studio on the blog. Curious about the architect behind the project? We have a blog feature on them too.

Progress Report: Kensington Yards Fuses The Old With The New

In the market for a home but torn between wanting something old or new? In a city exploding with new construction, but also bursting at the seams with its large stock of historic homes, the conflict in choosing between the two is understandable. Here at Solo Realty, we might just have created the perfect solution with Kensington Yards.

 

Along with our wonderful friends and collaborators, most notably Bright Common Architecture & Design and Red Oak Development, we’ve found the best of both worlds – new construction convenience and Victorian charm – and we’re ready to hand it over to you to call home.

 

When I stopped by the other day to take a look around at the progress being made on the units, the whole place was abuzz with activity. Most notably, the iron railings were on the final stages of installation. With the railings in, many of the stairwells and hallways are complete which rounds everything out nicely.

 

 

The beautiful granite countertops that we mentioned Jayme Guokas of Craftwork Design was preparing to pour in our last update post, are also in place now. Guokas included in these countertops little morsels of glass and shells, adding a real quirkiness to the design that is sometimes lacking in new construction.

 

 

One of the biggest challenges of the project was fusing the pre-existing 19th century rowhome with the newly constructed property. While this was no easy feat, the architects and construction workers did a beautiful job blending the old structure, preserving many of the original floors, brick walls, stone foundation, moldings, and doors, with the new property and all of its 21st century eco-friendly design elements and appliances. Reclaimed wood countertops and stairs can also be found throughout the units.

 

The finish line is just within reach now. By August 1 a model will be ready, which will help potential buyers get a better idea of what their unit will look like.

 

We are also excited to announce that our first unit is under contract, with closing slated for late August. We couldn’t be more excited to have the first buyer for Kensington Yards lined up. While we’ve already had a number of showings, now that the model is nearing completion and the units are all starting to take shape, we can’t wait to show off Kensington Yards even more.

 

This project is something that the team at Solo is incredibly proud of, and now that a lot of the hard work is finished, we are looking forward to sharing these sustainably built, historically embedded, and forward thinking 14 units with potential home buyers and the larger South Kensington community.

 

Fine out more at http://www.kensingtonyards.com/.

 

Progress Report: Kensington Yards Approaches The Finish Line

If you happen by Kensington Yards these days you’ll notice that building is moving along at a clipping pace. Solo Realty’s new construction development in South Kensington, a couple years in the making now, has rounded the corner and is heading towards the finish line.

 

The just completed facade on Fifth Street.

Popping up right in the middle of North 5th Street between Thompson and Master Streets, the drywall and windows are in, the facade is up, and showings are underway for the units.

 

In the upcoming weeks a lot of the finishes are going in, really solidifying the progress that has been made in the past few months at Kensington Yards. The cabinets and trim are slated for installation next week, with the tiles not too far behind.

 

After those touches go in, the painters will come through the building and then the flooring will go in.
We are really excited about the concrete countertops that Jayme Guokas of Craftwork Design is creating for the project. Jayme is slated to start pouring his custom concrete countertops as soon as all the aforementioned features are completed and we cannot wait to see how they turn out.

 

Finally, once the walls, floors, and countertops are complete, the electrical and plumbing fixtures will all be put in, pushing the project towards a mid-July completion date.

 

From top to bottom: A GoogleMaps screen cap of the Kensington Yards site pre-construction, the facade in progress, and a rendering of the interior living room and kitchen.

 

So far, we at Solo Realty could not be more thrilled with how Kensington Yards is coming along and taking form. It has been such a thrill to work with so many great collaborators – Bright Common, Apiary Studio, Red Oak Development, and Craftwork Design. As the final product takes shape we look forward to sharing more updates and some photographs of the interior so keep an eye out for that as we enter the summer months!

 

Featured Collaborator: Apiary Studio

“Have you ever heard the expression ‘a stitch in time saves nine’?” asks Hans Hesselein, the face behind the Philadelphia-based landscape architecture firm Apiary Studio tasked with designing and landscaping the courtyard at Solo Realty’s South Kensington development Kensington Yards. I haven’t, but as Hesselein explains the proverb to me, I realize that this philosophy of addressing a problem head on at the outset, as opposed to skirting around it and creating more issues later, underlies a lot of the work that Apiary Studio conducts.

 

A little over two years ago, with a BA in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University and a number of solid years working in the field in New York City under his belt, Hesselein made his way down to Philadelphia. Ready to start his own firm, an undertaking much more affordable in Philadelphia than New York, Hesselein saw here a city that is on the brink of many things – of figuring out what it wants to be, bursting with opportunities for impactful and meaningful work, and moving in a positive, innovative direction.

 

Hesselein in his new Germantown studio space

 

Hesselein approaches his work by addressing the context of the city and the contents of its soil. Philadelphia has a rich industrial history that shaped the physical, built landscape we inhabit today. Yet, that past life also bears influence on the soil we tread upon now, ravaged by industrial activity. Instead of bringing in new soil, an expensive and often unsustainable practice, Hesselein prefers to work within the fabric of Philadelphia’s landscape. Sometimes this means sourcing rare native and/or adaptable plants from the nursery that he and his partner, a gardener at the Wyck House, operate. More often it means planting what Hesselein describes as “tough, urban plant material” and “weedy stuff”.

 

Weeds, in fact, as Hesselein enlightens me, are some of the more viable urban plant material. It makes sense – weeds persevere, which means even in the tough soil conditions present in Philadelphia, they will thrive.

 

 

Addressing the industrial past of the Kensington area is exactly what Apiary Studio brings to Solo Realty’s Kensington Yards project. Not only has the factory studded built environment of the River Wards influenced the fashionable industrial-futuristic aesthetic of many popular restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and residential units in the area, it has contributed to the actual makeup of the soil we are left to work with. Hesselein is constantly thinking about these roots that continue to shape Kensington today, and with his landscaping work, he seeks to address those issues directly.

 

Hesselein is close with the team behind Bright Common, the architecture firm designing Kensington Yards, which is how his studio came to be involved with the project. Both firms share a similar focus on sustainability, recycled materials, and an ethical aesthetic.

 

With the common space that Apiary Studio was tasked to design, Hesselein created something very sleek, yet edgy, channeling all of this influence. He made use of raw, heavy materials to reference Olde Kensington’s industrial age, while establishing nice, clean side gardens to speak to the modern lifestyle. The movable fire pit is the focal point of the courtyard, which is shared between all of the units, encouraging community and intermingling. The design also includes a handful of side areas and nooks for more private or independent enjoyment of the development’s outdoor space.

 

 
We couldn’t be more excited to see how Apiary Studio’s courtyard design comes to life at Kensington Yards, and to hear what future contributions Hesselein has in store for the city. As Hesselein explained to me while we chatted in his second floor workspace at his Germantown apartment, he hopes for his studio to someday grow into its name – apiary – a busy-bee workspace with a hierarchy that functions horizontally, meaning everyone works collaboratively.



Check back in the upcoming weeks for a progress report on Kensington Yards.