The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

We introduced this new listing to you last week and this week we take a closer look at East Kensington's newest gem...

This is Where It's At: 2408 Amber Street is in East Kensington, near the Philadelphia Brewing Company, Walking Fish Theatre, Leotah's Place, the East Kensington Neighbors Association, and Atlantis: the Lost Bar.

Come On In: Step inside this 3 Story 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home with a modern, open floorplan, full unfinished basement, and a fantastic yard. Priced at $199,900. This property features hardwood floors throughout, recessed lighting, with a spacious living area and dining area. The kitchen is enormous with solid 42" cabinets and a glass tile back splash, with polished granite counters and new stainless steel appliances included. The second floor has a laundry closet for a stack washer and dryer, a beautifully tiled full bath in the hall with a very large bedroom that can be used as the master bedroom. In fact, either the 2nd or third floor can be used as Master Bedroom Suites. The third floor has it's own full bath. Large closets in all of the bedrooms.

Contact the Somers Team to book your tour!

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The action is on Amber Street this season as we welcome 3 new Amber Street listings to the fold. All are priced under $200K!

The best part is that if you're looking in Fishtown and East Kensington, there is a good chance that 1 of these 4 properties will be right up your alley. Why not book a tour to see all of them with us?

These properties are all near the Philadelphia Brewing Company, Walking Fish Theatre, Leotah's Place, the East Kensington Neighbors Association, and Atlantis: the Lost Bar. Just a few of our favorites! Now, let's check out the goods!

2406 Amber Street and 2408 Amber Street are both 3 Story 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Homes with modern, open floorplans, full unfinished basements, and a fantastic yards. Both are priced at an incredible $199,900.

Next we have 2418 Amber Street, which is a Completely Renovated 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home, again with a modern layout and rear yard, as well as 3 floors. This property includes a spacious deck for $159,900.

For our 4th listing, we venture off of Amber Street to nearby 2149 E. Harold Street, a charming 2 Story 2 Bedroom Home that is a great option if you are looking for a 2 Bedroom rather than a 3 Bedroom. This property is closer to the Memphis Taproom, with an open floorplan, basement, and yard. Is this your starter home at $110,000?

Contact the Somers Team to book your tour!

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You read it correctly. Realtors AGAINST selling Real Estate. It is unusual, we agree, but sometimes you just have to say NO to development in order to embrace progress.

We are talking about saying NO to selling and developing a piece of land located at Emerald Street and Dauphin Street in the East Kensington neighborhood close to Fishtown. This parcel of land if sold will be developed into a townhouse. That alone is not the problem. The issue is that this land is located smack dab in the middle of a community park and green space! Developing this parcel will destroy the best use for this land which is a public park that serves, beautifies, and unites the community.

We were speaking to local Realtor and President of the EKNA Jeff Carpinetta when he mentioned a project he is working on that is close to his heart. Saving Emerald Park. Jeff explained to us his efforts to save the appropriately named Emerald Park and we understood that we to had an ethical and moral responsibility as fellow professionals and community activists to lend a helping hand. We invited Jeff to speak to our entire office about saving Emerald Park at our most recent RE/MAX Access office meeting. Many of our agents work, live and or participate in this thriving community in some capacity. So, we opend the floor for Jeff to speak and educate us about what we can do to help.

The plan is for EKNA to buy the lot from the private seller. So far the EKNA has raised a little over $17,000 for the purchase but they need about $15,000 more to close the deal. Our RE/MAX Access office donated $1,000 toward the cause. Like the dazzling green gemstone, this green space is equally precious in the hearts and minds of this community. We encourage others to donate to Save Emerald Park even if it is $5. No donation is too small. Let our friends and neighbors in the East Kensington community know we hear their outcry and support their cause to protect this cherished green space.

Related:

Save Emerald Park!

[photo via Save Emerald Park Facebook]

A section of Emerald Park in East Kensington has been placed up for sale. The lot, which runs in the middle of the park, is to be developed into a townhouse, if the community cannot save it. The East Kensington Neighbors Association is asking that folks help them to purchase the lot and preserve Emerald Park.  

You can donate today by emailing EKNACommunity@gmail.com or via the Paypal link on the EKNA website. Any amount helps!

[photo via EKNA]

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

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

What's new with PostGreen Homes? Check in with the modern-and-green construction masterminds (Skinny Project, Avant Garage) as they'll be previewing the Two Point Five Beta Project in East Kensington on January 6, 2011, from 3 - 8 PM. They'll also introduce their new company, Hybrid Construction, premiere their new kitchen line, and announce their first South Philly project. Refreshments will be served. Sounds like an exciting start to the year for the team at Postgreen.

This New Construction project is already sold out, but we welcome this inspired addition to the growing community of East Kensington.

You can RSVP for the Tour on the Facebook event page.

Two Point Five Beta

2061 E. Amber St.

Philadelphia, PA

[image via PostGreen]

We'd like to give a hearty congratulations to Zak Starer and Krista Peel, the lovely couple that we helped purchase a home on Huntingdon Street in New Kensington.

The owners of the Philadelphia Art Hotel were featured on our blog over the summer, and we were excited to work with two exciting people with such presence in the art community. The couple has also received Volunteer Service Awards from NKCDC for assisting in neighborhood cleanups and beautification projects.

Zak and Krista, we hope you love your new home and find the perfect artwork to fill it with!

Related:

Philadelphia’s One and Only Art Hotel

Are you the kind of person who is always looking ahead for something new, something unique, something that will really satisfy your love of craft and functionality? Are you drawn to the energy of an emerging neighborhood, do you appreciate craftsmanship whether it be a building or a well crafted beer?

We've got something really cool to show you in the Fishtown/East Kensington neighborhood, and there's plenty of delicious brew to be had while you're there. This neighborhood is a haven for excellent beer and is the beer enthusiast's playground, with Philadelphia Brewing Company, Atlantis: the Lost Bar, and Memphis Taproom all within a few blocks.

Now for the 2 New Construction Homes that puts you where the brew is...

2568-70 Collins Street is the location of two 3 Story New Construction Projects with Garage Parking, Balcony, Yard, 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, and a 10 year Tax Abatement. Modern amenities such as the Fresca vanity at left. Both properties are priced at $275,00. That's a deal we could drink to.

Wouldn't it be nice...To spend your weekends cooking with fresh, local produce from nearby Greensgrow Farm? Have brunch at Memphis Taproom, enjoy several cups of coffee at Leotah's Place, check out a neighborhood meeting at NKCDC and get to know your locals, then head on over to a homestyle Yugoslavian dinner at Jovan's Place. You're located right next to the Frankford Arts Corridor, which has undergone recent streetscape improvements should you fancy a leisurely bike ride.

Stay tuned for a peek at the interiors of these unique new construction properties as they near completion!

For more information, please contact the Somers Team.

Related:

Fishtown New Construction Project Nearing Completion – Don’t Just Imagine Living Here!

Welcome Leotah’s Place, A New Kensington Coffee House

Start Strawberry Season at Greensgrow Farm

Fishtown Real Estate - Urban Homes in the Philadelphia Fringe!

Oh, where to stay if you love art and are visiting Philadelphia? Anywhere...our museums, galleries, sculptures, and performance venues are all over the place. So if you're in the Art Museum area, Old City, South Philadelphia, Northern Liberties-Fishtown-Kensington, or University City, you are probably feet away from an exhibit worth checking out.

Turns out, there is a place that we are absolutely proud to recommend staying at if you happen to be an artist, and it's called the Philadelphia Art Hotel. Where is it? East Kensington. One of our favorite up-and-coming neighborhoods just garnered even more of our attention. We saw it featured on Apartment Therapy and thought it was such an exciting idea.

Artists from all over are chosen to stay at the temporary residence to show their work. Their room is free. They have the sights and studios of Kensington and Fishtown to entertain them, the awesome new Leotah's Place to have coffee at, and the Lost Bar on Frankford Avenue to meet fellow creatives at. Because it's such an arts-heavy neighborhood, it's the ideal environment to be in.

The 3-story rowhouse is owned by Krista Peel and Zak Starer, who painted and decorated each room with art. It just goes to show what you can do with one of the larger homes that you can find in East Kensington. The rooms are unique and spacious and there's a backyard patio to hang out in. From the outside, the Art Hotel looks like a fun-loving residence (with yellow trim on the windows and a yellow door). We love what Zak and Krista have done and Chris and I are proud to have helped them purchase this incredible home.

If you'd like to check out the resident work, visit the Events page to find an upcoming showing. If you are an artist and want to apply to stay at the Arts Hotel, inquire about a spot in next year's program.

Philadelphia Art Hotel 2010 East Huntingdon Street 267-639-9166

Related:

Welcome Leotah’s Place, A New Kensington Coffee House

[photo credit: Apartment Therapy]