ebulletin

January 1, 2026
Redefining urban living in Philadelphia
Urby Fishtown at 1700 North Front Street is redefining urban living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The building is designed as a five-story brick structure that reflects the local historical context, characterized by large warehouses and small brick townhouses. The building stands as a monolithic brick mass, but upon closer look, it reveals its intricate details. Strategically placed cut-outs slice into the brick exterior, revealing contrasting materials and colors that bring the structure to life. These cut-outs do more than break down the building’s scale, they introduce warmth, light, and dynamic texture to its form.

The building’s traditional brickwork, paired with large dark-gray windows, allows it to blend seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood. Window proportions are carefully considered to maximize the flood of natural light to flow through the residences while maintaining privacy and soundproofing from the street and elevated train. Wrapped continuously around the building, the windows echo the rhythmic characteristic patterns of industrial architecture.

Opening up to the street
Along North Front Street, the building opens up to a welcoming courtyard that flows naturally into the street, creating a lively main residential entrance. The courtyard, filled with lush greenery and an open view of the sky, offering a refreshing escape from the energy of the street below the elevated train. A warm green stucco wraps the space, blending the architecture with the lush planting and creating a calm, intimate atmosphere and an inviting setting for the café terrace.

On the opposite side, along Hope Street, a second courtyard brings light and air to the narrower streetscape, complementing the small-scale character of the area. This courtyard brings together abundant planting with communal features, including BBQ stations and a dog park, creating a welcoming environment that serves the residents and fosters a sense of community. Here, a blue stucco finish subtly echoes the color of the elevated train’s steel structure.

Project Information
Project: Urby Fishtown, PA
Client: Urby LLC, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Architecture & interior design: Concrete Amsterdam

Project facts
Start design: November 2020
Opening: March 2025
Total apartments: 204 (studio & 1-2-bedroom)
Total GFA: 172,200 sf (16,000 sqm)

(Source: V2COM)