Today in Philly tech history: ‘3rd Ward closes, this is the official letter to instructors’

Depending on how you look at it, makerspace 3rd Ward was either terribly mismanaged, early for Kensington or overly ambitious. (Later reports suggested mismanagement was the fatal flaw.)

After splashing down in Philly after several delays in the spring of 2013, the local outpost of the much-hyped Brooklyn makerspace was forced to close for good just months later.

Technical.ly was one of the first outlets to confirm the news.

Then–Lead Reporter Juliana Reyes filed this on Oct. 10, 2013:

Following news of its upcoming Philadelphia classes being cancelled, 3rd Ward announced that it was officially closed, according to an email sent last night from 3rd Ward founder Jason Goodman and obtained by Technically Philly. Citing high costs of operation, Goodman said both Philadelphia and Brooklyn spaces will close its doors Friday, Oct. 11. 3rd Ward staff has not responded to requests for comment. Its $1.5 million fundraising campaign has been discontinued.

The stunningly rehabbed space at 1227 N. 4th St. has since housed a number of other projects, including the now-shuttered coworking space Impact Hub. Part of the building is currently home to one of NextFab’s locations, though the building’s future as a makerspace is a bit up in the air with NextFab expanding down the street early next year.

The former 3rd Ward building pictured in 2018. (Screenshot via Google Maps)