Yeah hopefully the area will get better in the next 10yrs, and follow suit of Fishtown and Northern Liberties. The fact that young artists are moving to the area and making use of old warehouses is a good thing. I remember 2yrs ago, my friend had a few friends in a band that had set up studio(along with a few other bands) in one such empty warehouse around Kensington(it was right off the I-95 exit, so perhaps it was technically more Port Richmond than Kensington, but close enough). It's always a good thing when arts/music/culture enters an area, because it makes that area interesting and gives people a reason to venture there. Personally, I think it'd be a good idea if there were some concert halls or theaters or music-related attractions in Kensington...maybe it wouldn't quite work right now, since a lot of people are still probably scared to venture into that area, but perhaps when it starts to get a little more cleaned up, music attractions might work. It would retain the young artists/musicians in the area, along with bringing in more young people(college/20s) and visitors. Just an idea.

I'm very glad to see a lot of areas in Philly drastically improving(parts of South Philly, University City, Fishtown, etc), but there are still a lot of areas that need a major renovation/makeover. It'd be really nice to see some very positive changes.

Where are these available warehouses?? I've seen a few (2 are apt buildings)...but the only ones that seem ' available ' are 1 story cinderblock crap. Ive seen quite a few in Port Richmond, but it seems like many of those were sold to speculators these last 5 years. Meaning, no cheap opportunities.

You'd have to be more specific as to what you mean by warehouse "warehouse". If you're talking about older industrial properties, a lot of the larger parcels have been bought up for conversion to lofts or artist workspace (or by speculators). You could probably lease from the couple of active workspaces in the area (Crane Arts, Bakerbuilt, Sharktown, etc), but I assume you want properties fro sale.

I've come across a couple of small garage spaces if that's what you mean, which are usually the cinderblock crap you mentioned, everything else has been huge industrially zoned warehouses. How big/small are you looking for?

...Kensington still has a ways to and is still losing its traditional residential base---hardworking, blue collar employees. As industry continues to decline without easy access to Kensington rowhomes, the 'hood will continue declining until maybe the next real estate boom when speculators start referring to it as "Northern Northern Libs" and "West Fishtowne"

I'd love to find just 1 building in Kenso, close-ish to Girard with affordable for sale units. We all talk about 'starving artists' but these starving artists are renting. A few pseudo artists did buy a few of these buildings a while back, then converted them to rentals. Cool. Where are the cheap for sale lofts in Philly?

From this point FW, will there ever be affordable lofts in this city? Even in run down areas? Look at that 1 conversion in Kenso (or Northern Liberties North) marketed by Prudential. The pricing is way out of whack for the location.

I must commend M&G for their 'Loft District' efforts in ~1999. Bare bones conversions that were affordable. Im afraid that we will never see anything like that again in this city...which sucks.

Luxury loft?.....F that. I want to buy raw, or non lux space, a few stories up in a pre war building with indoor parking. I'd even move to Kenso if I could find it...

Origionally posted by Malloy:
Luxury loft?.....F that. I want to buy raw, or non lux space, a few stories up in a pre war building with indoor parking. I'd even move to Kenso if I could find it...

I have wondered as well why developers have not marketed raw space. I would speculate (no pun intended) that by the time they take care of the envelope (new roof, windows, tuckpointing, etc.) and the systems (main service for plumbing, heating, electric) they discover that financially speaking they wouldn't get enough for them after going through that aggravation (as well as permits, etc.). They figure they can put in all the bells & whistles and get alot more for them.

Sad truth is I don't really see it anywhere in Kensington you'd want to be, esp. near Girard. I've got friends looking closer to erie, and some that already moved into K+A area.

I did here that at Front and Berks there's a new conversion that's cheap raw space, but nothing much for sale. Maybe if you're into buying a whole building.

I swear, they do not exist anymore. (you can get 1 story cinderblock ones cheap...but they are nothing special and I can get that in the burbs way cheaper and not have to deal with crime)

I cant swing a whole building... b/c I'm sure they are selling at prices which only make sense for developers looking to convert them to 'luxury' lofts.

Sucks.

I have to say. Its kind of amazing. I own a general contracting biz. I was looking for a large building I could live and work in. I bought a 7200 sq/ft warehouse for 45k about 3 years ago. Granted it needed a lot of work, but at the time people thought I was freaking INSANE for buying something close to Frankford and Alleghenny.

2 Peices of advice. There are PLENTY of incredible deals to get around here, if you can deal with putting in time, effort and elbow grease. And your willing to live through people telling you your insane for being a pioneer. I've always thought it was crazy that someone would buy a rinky dink 1br condo in center city for 400k and then spend another 30k on a parking spot! when they could spend the same amount and buy an acre worth of houses here in the ghetto and create their own feifdom. I mean, its truly insane. But we are very much a "I want it now" society. I met a guy that bought an absolutely HUGE warehouse. Like 50,000 sq/ft building shaped like a giant square donut with a courtyard in the middle for 60k about 5 years ago. But its right off of kensington ave. Have some vision, be willing to go out and do good in your hood and the sky is the limit.

Get a grip on the ghetto mentality. Drive the areas you think you might want to live in. People around here don't trust the man! Therefore, they don't want to list with a realtor. 9 times out of 10 they don't want you using a title company either. Drive around, look for for sale my owner signs. I can tell you of at least 3 properties right off the bat that are way over 3000 sq/ft and you can purchase under 50k.

If they are brick and 2 levels please PM me.