A New Old City Headquarters for Philly Fringe
FringeArts, a yearly celebration of performance arts, is in the midst of a $7 million renovation of a former pumping station to use as their new headquarters on Delaware Ave. and Race St. in Old City.
Rendering of completed exterior renovations.
The festival, formerly known as the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, is very popular, largely due to the high quality of the performances coupled with low production and ticket costs. Every September, around 30,000 art lovers head out to view performances at traditional and non-traditional venues all over the city. Performances have been held in canoes on the Schuylkill River, in warehouses and in public parks.
View of the Ben Franklin Bridge from the new building.
The building, whose transformation is being led by architecture firm Wallace Roberts & Todd, will serve as a year round headquarters for the festival and will include a theatre with 225 movable seats, a restaurant/bar, administrative offices for the festival staff and a view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.
The specially designed interior will feature moveable seats to accommodate a variety of performances.
The facility should be completed soon after the conclusion of the 2013 Festival, which runs from September 5th – 22nd. It will add to what has become a beautiful walk from historic Old City to the Delaware River Banks that, in addition to the Race St. Pier, includes a beautiful light installation that simulates the surface of the river.
The Race St. Pier
LED Installation on Race St. walking towards the Delaware River.
Old City has been home to a thriving arts community since the 1970’s. In addition to the many galleries, studios and theaters, this neighborhood boasts some of the city’s most popular boutiques, bars and restaurants. The new Fringe Arts headquarters is sure to be a welcomed addition to the neighborhood.
Click here to view properties in Old City and Society Hill.
