While West Philly has been home to various urban innovations, from co-ops to urban farms to the Dirt Factory, one thing developers in other areas of the city, specifically in Port Richmond and Fishtown, have been more active in revitalizing is repurposed old buildings. Not to mention the Loft District.

In the river wards there exist various warehouses readapted for artists/artisans space, like the Viking Mill, 2424 Studios, or the Berks Warehouse. In West Philly, Dock St. Brewery and Firehouse Bicycles are housed in an old firehouse at 50th & Baltimore.

The Cedar Works, a project from Mill Creek Design partners Andy Peifer and Linford Martin, is their vision of a repurposed 15K sqft warehouse, located at 4919 Pentridge St. in Cedar Park, around the corner from Dock Street Pub. The reclaimed warehouse will feature 15 studios, ranging from 300 sqft to 1600 sqft, available at a $1/sqft/month, utilities included. Leases will allow for two primary uses, providing for the opportunity to share some of the spaces.

Exterior

Peifer and Martin, who live in the neighborhood, recognized the local need for such a space. They purchased the building last summer and are planning for a late December opening. The two had discussed the idea of opening a space of this nature for half a decade.

“There’s a lot of good energy that can happen when artists get together and share ideas,” said Martin.

The Works will be accessible 24 hours a day and will also include a full common kitchen and restrooms, as well as about a 600 sqft space available to be rented for community space. A portion of the building will remain as Mill Creek’s workshop. Looking at the front of the building from Pentridge, one will see an outdoor courtyard with landscaping.

Courtyard rendering

This project represents a rehab of a building that last served as an Ironmen metal working shop, but has stood in disrepair for at least 10 years. Not only does this revitalize a decrepit building, it provides an economic opportunity as well. And we dig it.

Tenant applications are available now.

–Lou Mancinelli