The inner suburbs to the north of Philadelphia are undergoing a rapid regeneration as older, end-of-life housing stock makes way for new housing and commercial activity. Old terraced houses are being rapidly replaced by low rise apartment block. Areas such as North and South Kensington and Fishtown are taking on a re-vitalised character, attracting families to the area while driving sustainability and creativity.
At the centre of this is 1800 North American Street, a hub for capturing and housing small businesses that are retaining Philadelphia’s past and forging the city’s future.
At the front of the building is Resource Exchange. This
not-for-profit access a wide range of household and building fittings for
reuse. Philadelphia is a centre for the film industry with many films set in
New York filmed in the city because it is cheaper than filming in New York
itself. The film industry has a reputation for being wasteful as film sets are
discarded after a short period of use.
Building Resources have become adept at receiving
materials and items from the film industry that can have ongoing use. This also
includes film equipment such as lighting. This offers customers the change to
integrate curious and interesting items into their new build or renovation. Pride
of place is an actual film prop painting, not for sale, of fictional but
legendary Philadelphian, Rocky Balboa.
The Building Resources store also acts as an exchange
for materials supplying the fitting out and furnishing of homes and commercial
properties. Like Community Forklift, a feature of Building Resources is the marketing
and merchandising of items in the store. Very little is left in the elements
with their stock displayed in a large indoor building. Items are carefully
categorised, priced and labelled, making it look more like a retailer of new
items.
Behind Building Resources are Beaty American. This for-profit
company salvage architectural items from the deconstruction of Philadelphia’s
beautiful period homes. Their space in the 1800 N American Street building is a
treasure trove of building items and in their own words, timber that has been waiting
for its moment for years.
The 1800 N American building also houses the Neon
Museum of Philadelphia, a museum collection of neon signs that also preserves and
restores vintage neon signs, animated signs, window signs, neon clocks and neon
art for themselves and clients.
NextFab is a makerspace that provides a collaboration
space for creators and designers of any skill level or interest. They provide
access to machinery, education, membership, community, events, and professional
services for anything with an idea they want to bring to life.
They provide access to a range of resources
combining digital technology with traditional tools, they help designers with
an idea, ways to find cutting-edge solutions and learning.
The site at 1800 North American Street is a centrepiece
of what is described as the ‘North American renaissance’, acting as place where
the past life and character of the area is transitioning to it’s new identity
and character.
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