20-Unit, Mixed-Use Building Nearing Completion on North Broad Next to Blue Horizon

Development Surrounding Blue Horizon
Development Surrounding Blue Horizon

Blue Horizon is a historic building and famous former boutique boxing venue on North Broad Street. The structure was originally built in 1865 as three separate homes. In 1914, it was converted into the clubhouse for the Loyal Order of Moose, a fraternal lodge. Then, in 1961, the building was again transformed, this time into a boxing venue. The Blue Horizon went on to host boxing greats throughout its years as a venue until it closed its doors in 2010. Since then, there have been plans to build a hotel on the property and even a threat of demolition. The latest plans call for preserving the front of the building, the demolition of the rear portion of the building, and the construction of a 7-story addition that will be used as a 140-room hotel. We haven’t seen any work done on site since zoning permits were issued for those plans in June of 2019.

Before Blue Horizon got new neighbors
Before Blue Horizon got new neighbors

As Blue Horizon waits for its next bout, development has been surrounding it. To its north, an 18-story, nearly 200-unit apartment building called The Nest was completed sometime in 2019. The shiny glass tower is now filled with tenants and is one of the tallest buildings on North Broad St.

To the south of Blue Horizon, a 20-unit building with ground floor retail space is nearing completion at 1310-12 North Broad St. The residential units are now occupied and the commercial space is currently being built out. The unique, modern structure was designed by KJO Architecture, who has worked on a bunch of cool projects around Philadelphia.

We can’t help but love the contrasting architectural styles and building sizes on this section of the block (except the gas station, which we’re hoping gets KO’d). It really keeps the streetscape interesting and depicts a story of an evolving, growing metropolis. We just hope that any overbuild of the Blue Horizon is done tastefully and does not detract from the historic structure.

How do you feel about the transformation of this block? Have you heard about any updates on the Blue Horizon hotel project?

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