J Street Lofts Bring 39 Luxury Units to Harrowgate

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The courtyard at J Street Lofts

You probably never would have thought that you would hear the words luxury and Harrowgate in the same sentence. But times they are a changin’. We’ve told you in the past that Harrowgate is one of the next up-and-coming neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It has all of the infrastructure in place to take off over the next decade. The transit-accessible neighborhood surrounds the Tioga El Station. Large warehouses from the area’s industrial past are steadily getting converted into artist studios, office buildings, and residential lofts. We recently told you about the old school at Frankford and Castor that is being converted into 29 residential units and office spaces. The same company behind the school conversion, Stronghold Development & Construction, has another project that was recently completed.

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The exterior of the Jay Street Lofts – originally the L.B. Luithlen Dye Works

J Street Lofts is a 39-unit project in a converted industrial building at 3450 J St. in Harrowgate. The building was originally the home of L.B. Luithlen Dye Works, founded by Ludwig B. Luithlen in the late 1800’s. Before the residential conversion, a metal casting company occupied the premises. Stronghold Development was granted a zoning permit in 2017 to convert the Medium Industrial (I-2) zoned property to residential use.

We had a chance to tour the building earlier this week, and we were blown away. The industrial chic lobby adorned with fiddle leaf figs and other plants feels like something you would see in Williamsburg Brooklyn. There is a gated courtyard with a really cool colorful mural by the artist Alloyius Mcilwaine on the wall. The courtyard leads to an on-site gym. Residents also have access to private parking across the street. For tenants that don’t have a car, the Tioga El Station is one block away. The less than 20 minute train ride to City Hall makes this location extremely convenient. The residential units contain extremely high ceilings, modern finishes, and maintain historic industrial elements. All of the units are unique as a result of the industrial conversion. Rents for a 1-bedroom apartment are between $1,500 and $1,700. You may think these prices are crazy this far north, but the building is nearly leased up.

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J Street Lofts Lobby

Things are really heating up in Harrowgate. You may balk at that statement. But, two decades ago people turned their noses up at Northern Liberties. Fifteen years ago, people feared Fishtown. Only a short time ago, Kensington had negative connotations. Opportunity knocks. Those that hear it will open the door. We’ll be covering a bunch of more projects up this way in the near future with one being right next door. Stay tuned.

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First floor of one-bedroom apartment
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Second floor of one-bedroom apartment
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J Street Lofts Apartment

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