Article On Artists Collectives In Philadelphia

From Metrolpolis.com, a great story on artist collectives throughout Philadelphia.

The Arts Corridor project on Frankford Avenue is just one example of artists finding new neighborhoods and new venues for their art. It is happening throughout the city - an organic movement, often centered around the large number of co-operative and collective spaces being created by artists, many of them relatively new to Philadelphia.

These co-ops exhibit new work, provide a space for the exchange of artistic ideas, and create microcommunities across the cities that sometimes extend their reach into both surrounding neighborhoods and the wider art world.

These collectives not only provide a great venue for artists to showcase their work but are great for creative collaboration and of course neighborhood development.

MM is working on a project at 2617-19 W. Girard which will include artist studios and possibly exhibit space as we strongly believe the arts are a key component to any neighborhood.

Planting the Tree Beds Along Girard Avenue

We have begun cleaning out the tree beds in front of our properties along W. Girard Avenue in Brewerytown and are planting and mulching them as well. Here is a photo of the first one in front of MMPartners' office at 2621 W. Girard Avenue. We are planning on doing the same next week in front of 2711 W. Girard, 2819 W. Girard and up and down the north side of the 2900 Block of West Girard where we own 7 properties.

What Is The Future of Urban Retail?

Great think piece about urban retail in the internet shopping era by Greg at Urban Direction. Here's a sample:

...I would argue that cities still have the strongest chance to keep small, diverse, and privately-owned retailers open, but it depends on their ability to understand the new market forces brought on by online shopping, and the necessity of centralizing their major retailers so as to create the critical mass of shoppers needed to provide the kind of retail we have traditionally come to expect from urban shopping. Small commercial corridors can certainly stay relevant based on the perpetual need for place-based, Internet-resilient businesses. However, downtowns and larger urban commercial corridors continue to need anchors....

Walkable Neighborhoods Are More Expensive For A Reason

Check out your neighborhood's Walk Score.

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Homes located within walking distance of amenities such as schools, parks and shopping aren't only more convenient for their owners, often they're also worth more than homes in neighborhoods where driving is the rule, according to a new study released Tuesday.

The report looked at 94,000 real-estate transactions in 15 markets. In 13 of those markets, higher levels of "walkability" were directly linked to higher home values...

Great Piece About the Strengths of Philadelphia's Art Scene

For MM Partners' part, we have applied for a grant to build studio space at 2617-19 W Girard. Here's a sample from the article, good quotes from the chief of the NEA, but go read the whole thing.

..."I don't know how many times I've said it in the last few months: 'We've got to look at what they're doing in Philadelphia,' " Landesman told about two dozen arts administrators and city officials at the Crane building in the 1400 block of North American Street... "This seems to me to be really where the creative economy is happening," Landesman said of Philadelphia. "We need to be in places where there's already some real momentum because we want to be successful." ...

Finally! Good Coffee in Brewerytown!

MM Partners is pleased to announce that Mugshot's CoffeeHouse & Cafe is joining the retail renaissance on W. Girard Avenue in Brewerytown. They will be opening their third location in a property of ours located at 2831 W. Girard Avenue. 2831 W. Girard Avenue is a historic building that is currently undergoing a full gut renovation, and is conveniently next door to the West Girard Rita's Water Ice. We are preserving the historic character of the building, while upgrading and modernizing the interiors. The Mugshots space features the original late 1880's vaulted plaster ceiling, restored original wood floors and a large landscaped rear garden for outdoor seating. Above Mugshots will be three one-bedroom units (one bi-level) all with original wood floors, open floor plans, European-style kitchens, washer/dryer’s, dishwashers and ton’s of light. To learn more, please check out the links below:

Philly.com (Michael Klein's Insider blog)
Foobooz
The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Contact

Our office is located at 2621 W Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Our phone number is 267-519-0895, and our email is tenants@mmpartnersllc.com. We are happy to answer any and all questions!

Community

Food & Drink:

Art + Soul Food

Butters Soul Food

Deborah's Kitchen

North Star Bar

ERA (Ethiopian food)

Angelinos

Bishop's Collar

Rita's Water Ice

Attractions:

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Kelly Drive

Fairmount Park

Philadelphia Zoo

Open a Business

Improving the commercial corridor of West Girard Avenue is a major goal of ours, and we are interested in helping new small businesses open. Unlike typical landlords, we are hands-on and proactive when it comes to helping small businesses. We understand that opening a new business is a lot of work, and we are there to help every step of the way. Be it zoning and permitting, fit out, marketing or more, MM Partners will be on your side. Please check out our currently available storefront opportunities:

Aaron Smith | MM Partners, LLC | 267-519-0895 2711 W. Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA Brand new, 100% renovated, beautiful store front on major commercial corridor in great neighborhood surrounding Art Museum and Fairmount Park Retail/Commercial $1,850/month Sq Footage 1,500 DESCRIPTION Newly renovated storefront with 14ft. ceilings, original wood floors, and A.C. +/- 1,500 SF. see additional photos below LOCATION FEATURES - Beautiful storefront surrounding major areas in Philadelphia (Art Museum/Fairmount Park/Brewerytown) LEASE TERMS NNN Lease ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 1 Photo 1 Contact info: Aaron Smith MM Partners, LLC 267-519-0895 Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 29, 2009, 10:46am PDT

Aaron Smith | MM Partners, LLC | 267-519-0895 2819 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA Great retail space. 100% newly renovated, brand new store front. Retail/Commercial $1,850/month Sq Footage 1,500 DESCRIPTION 2819 W. Girard Ave. offers a great location for a business. The retail space is 100% newly renovated, and is located just three blocks from Fairmount Park, with easy access to Center City and the expressway. The space is newly renovated with a brand new store front. Features 14 ft. ceilings, original wood floors, and A.C. see additional photos below LOCATION FEATURES - Beautiful area. The office space is minutes from both the Art Museum and Fairmount Park. LEASE TERMS NNN lease. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 1 Contact info: Aaron Smith MM Partners, LLC 267-519-0895 Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Nov 19, 2009, 11:54am PST

Living Here

Brewerytown is a neighborhood adjacent to the Art Museum district in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An unofficial region, Brewerytown runs approximately between the Schuylkill River's eastern bank and 23rd Street, bounded by Cecil B. Moore Avenue in the north and Parrish Street in the south. As its name suggests, Brewerytown is so called because of the numerous breweries which were located along the Schuylkill during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is now primarily a residential neighborhood, with an active commercial sector along Girard Avenue. Despite struggling with poverty in recent decades, Brewerytown has seen a recent influx of young professionals, and it is considered a neighborhood on the rise.

Brewerytown sits directly north of the Art Museum/Fairmount neighborhood, which over the past 10 years has seen home prices and rents skyrocket far beyond the reach of many Philadelphians seeking a vibrant, safe and conveniently located neighborhood. Brewerytown has been getting a great deal of attention lately as the next logical location where development will move. In fact, Girard Avenue is now recognized by Philadelphia’s Center City District as the Northern border of Center City. The neighborhood offers great access to major highways such as 676 and Kelly Drive, which are just two blocks away, offering immediate access to the suburbs, airport and points beyond. In addition, Brewerytown is just 7 blocks away from the Art Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, Rodin Museum and The Franklin Institute along with the many other cultural attractions in and around the Parkway.

There is a very large residential development project currently under development on 30^th-33^rd, Girard Avenue north to Oxford Streets by Westrum Development (www.westrum.com). Westrum is building up to 800 units of market rate new construction in the area including lofts, townhouses and renovated row homes. A supermarket is slated for Westrum’s site at the corner of 31^st and Girard Avenue.

There is also a major streetscape improvements plan to upgrade all of Girard Avenue from W. College Avenue to 33^rd Street. The plan includes assisting property owners with façade work, improved landscaping, public art and signage and pedestrian-friendly street lighting. The goal is to make Girard Avenue a Main Street shopping, residential and community destination. The first phase, street lighting, was completed in the fall of 2009.