fishtown urby
completed
march 2025
responsibilities
architecture & interior design
programme
204 apartments, 16.000 sqm
location
philadelphia, us
completed
march 2025
responsibilities
architecture & interior design
programme
204 apartments, 16.000 sqm
location
philadelphia, us
architectural cut-out design
Fishtown Urby 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.
Strategically placed cut-outs slice into the brick exterior, revealing contrasting materials and colors that bring the building to life. These cut-outs do more than break down the building’s scale, they introduce two courtyards, a rooftop terrace and a large facade for the artwork by Henk Schiffmacher.
Along North Front Street, the building opens up to a welcoming courtyard that flows naturally into the street, creating a lively main residential entrance. 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.
"Every architectural detail is designed to enhance daily living, from the robust brick envelope to the smartly positioned transom windows that balance privacy with daylight. It's about creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but genuinely functional for urban life."
art facade infuses dutch heritage into the spirit of fishtown
For Fishtown Urby, Concrete collaborated with Street Art Today and renowned Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher. Known globally for his bold, distinctive style and for tattooing icons from Kurt Cobain to Lady Gaga, Henk has spent decades shaping tattoo culture around the world. The resulting artwork 'Songlines for the City' translates his mastery from skin to the urban canvas, creating an iconic 4-story mural in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
designed for high quality living and connectivity
The apartments carry Urby’s signature design philosophy. Smart and functional layouts create homes that feel larger than their footprint. With open flows, balanced proportions, and thoughtful details, every apartment maximizes comfort and functionality, offering a modern living experience.
The communal spaces are created in the cut-out courtyards, designed by landscape architect Bas Smets. Filled with lush greenery, 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 planting and creating inviting setting for the café terrace designed by Shawn Hausman Design. On the opposite side, a second courtyard features 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.
Retail spaces activate nearly every corner of the building, ensuring a lively ground-level experience. Above, a communal terrace on the fifth floor, designed by Eliane Le Roux, offers residents sweeping views across Philadelphia. These views can also be admired from the speakeasy, interior design by Yuria Kailich, which offers another unexpected hideaway within the building.
rooftop terrace design by eliane le roux
speakeasy design by yuria kailich, of enso
cafe design by shawn hausman
gym
the urby edit newspaper
Specially made newspaper for the residents of Fishtown Urby. Discover all about the location, activities and events and more about all other locations spread around the United States.
facts & figures
total area 16.000 sqm
total apartments 204
café & salon 365 sqm
retail spaces 1015 sqm
communal garden 1020 sqm
gym 265 sqm
resident’s library 55 sqm
resident’s speakeasy 50 sqm
roof terrace 70 sqm
concrete
responsibilities architecture & interior design
team erikjan vermeulen, juliana cintra do prado mul, nick vullings, sebastiaan kaal, tobias koch, martyna nicholson, cristina palicari, vivianne medeiros
partners & collaborators
client urby, us
architect of record norr, us
mural design henk shiffmacher, nl
curation mural peter ernst coolen, nl
cafe & salon design shawn hausman design, us
speakeasy design yuria kailich, of enso, us
terrace design eliane le roux, be
landscape architect bureau bas smets, be
executive landscape architect colliers engineering, us
general contractor tester construction group, us
press
"crafted by concrete amsterdam and collaborators, fishtown urby is a collage of social spaces" - mix interiors magazine
