3rd Ward Philadelphia: Brooklyn coworking space expanding summer 2012 to 1227 N Fourth Street in Kensington

Brooklyn coworking space 3rd Ward is launching in Kensington at 1227 N. Fourth Street, just above Girard Avenue, the organization’s Development Director Mindy Koopmans told Technically Philly. It is planned to open in summer 2012.
3rd Ward, named for the municipal legislative division in which its headquarters sits, opened in Brooklyn in September 2005. 3rd Ward Philadelphia will, confusingly enough, be in Philadelphia’s 18th ward. This city’s 3rd ward is in West Philly. This new coworking space would be within walking distance of the cohousing project from Independents Hall.
Philebrity first posted locally on the move, though Technically Philly has now confirmed the address. Metro followed up further with more details here. The New York Times arts blog also covered the news here. Join the coworking space’s mailing list here.

The Brooklyn coworking spot will partner with New York City developer and Philadelphia native Paul Maiello and David Belt, the developer behind Macro-Sea, to run the operation here, aimed at offering low-cost space for various creative arts, and freelancers.
3rd Ward has already received interest in leasing space, in addition to “people asking when we’ll be hiring,” said Koopmans.
“In the past couple years, the number of young creative professionals in Philadelphia has exploded, attracted by this inspiring city with a legacy of craft and ingenuity. A lot of our current Members and teachers are Philly natives, so we’re thinking there must be a special kinship. It was meant to be,” the website reads.
The 27,000 square foot Old Kensington warehouse, nestled just above developed Northern Liberties and the expanded Piazza at Schmidt’s, is scheduled to be renovated and open sometime in summer 2012. It will be the second location for 3rd Ward.
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