Checking on the Action Near N. Front & Cecil B. Moore

Multiple multi-family projects and multiple restaurants completely reinvent this major intersection

While we made a quick stop on a tour of the area recently, the intersection at N. Front & Cecil B. Moore has quickly become one of the busier spots in town, development-wise. Best known in the past for the awesome International Bar and the Front Street Walls murals, the old parking lots that once dominated the north side of the corner are now a thing of the past. As such, we thought it made sense to do a bit of a deeper dive into some of these transformational projects - and all of the food that comes with it. Let’s head back to 2019 to get a better feel for the area’s past.

Looking east towards Front & Cecil B. in the not-so-distant past

Like many other spots in greater Fishtown/Kensington, this transit-accessible location has been altered dramatically. We start at the largest of the projects, where the 204-unit Urby looks complete at 1700 N. Front St. on the west side of the elevated tracks. This project comes to us from Kassis & Co, who have been busy as of late. The design from NORR brings an interesting mix of brick and bold paneling, with a sage-y green interior plaza and a blue-and-white mural elevating the look far beyond what we expected from the initial renderings. The entry and courtyard along Front St. feel more like you’re in the Mediterranean than under the El. Also, along Front will be two new additions to the food scene, with Mecha Noodle Bar to open on the north corner, and the brand-new Percy brunch/lounge having just opening this past Friday along Front. Oh, and a few other spaces are still available here if you’re looking to join the party.

The north side of Urby, lots of brick and the future home of Mecha

Percy is now open, with some signage from Keystone Sign & Company

The residential entrance along Front

The gorgeous courtyard space

Murals and more commercial space on the south side of the building

Jumping a few steps west, we make it to 1700 N. Howard St. and the adaptive-reuse Glassworks. 103 units over commercial space and 35 parking spaces are looking almost wrapped here being designated as historic back in 2020. This comes to us from Urban Conversions and CosciaMoos, with the new construction portion blending in very well with the older existing industrial buildings. This one also features a roof deck and more ground level commercial space in this growing retail hotbed. Oh, and hurray for the street trees both here and at the Urby - let’s hit that tree canopy goal!

The Glassworks is looking good - and is offering two months free rent

Soliciting any and all invitations to the gorgeous roof deck space

Catty-corner to the east at 1625 N. Howard St. is Jaffa Bar, the latest addition to the CookNSolo restaurant roster. This conversion of the old Engine 15 fire house was led by [BOX]WOOD, adding an oyster-centric menu to the food scene.

Jaffa Bar, slinging oysters and cocktails in the old engine house

Some sexy interiors

Our last stop takes to the other side of the tracks (literally) at 1701 N. Front St., a former one-story building and parking lot. The existing lofts have been joined by the new eight-story Box Factory apartments, designed by SITIO. These 70 units will also see the addition of Colombian spot Cafe Tinto, which is expanding from its original North Philly location.

The Box Factory looking complete next to the tracks

Another view of the abundant brick that can be found along the entire height

377 new units, four new restaurants, and space for several other potential new businesses are just a sampling of all of the action along Front St. and the surrounding area. Throw in a newish outdoor plaza and this block would be unrecognizable to folks who haven’t been by here in the past five years. It’s no secret that things are moving fast around here, but to pause and truly take in the amount of new people and businesses is truly astounding.