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Mon
Mar 14
2011

New Development at 20th and Federal Has Plans For Coffee Shop With Green Space



OCF Realty will be opening a second OCF Café location at 2001 Federal Street (the first location will be opening soon at 18th and South). They have been in talks with the city for about two years now to purchase the property directly behind the locale for development of a garden for additional outdoor seating for the coffee shop. OCF is also trying for the lots across the street (East Side of 20th) for the construction of four duplexes that will overlook a central courtyard.

The interior of OCF Cafe at 18th and South

According to OCF Realty, working with the city and local civic association hasn’t been a walk in the park, but they are finally starting to make some headway with project. They have also made it clear that they would not be moving so aggressively to develop this part of town if it weren’t for John Longacre doing the same thing just two blocks away at 18th and Federal. Longacre’s dedication to revitalizing that corner with his American Sardine Bar project inspired OCF to push through all of the roadblocks in order to do what they felt would best improve the neighborhood.

Construction at 2001 Federal has been in full swing for six months; the four upstairs apartments are a few weeks away from completion and will marketed for lease the beginning next month. The first floor of the coffee shop is planned to be complete in May and will have accordion windows which will open up to plenty of outdoor space and seating. The cafe is being designed by JT Christensen of Studio Christensen, the same designer who is to thank for the aesthetic at the 18th and South OCF Cafe.

We are definitely excited to see some more positive development on Federal, so we will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of OCF Café (numero dos) late this summer! Looks like the south side of Washington is giving Graduate Hospital a run for its money.

16
COMMENTS
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Posted in Point Breeze | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ori-Feibush/8213741 Ori Feibush

    We are going through the final steps for approval.  Assuming we can avoid any new litigation we should be open shortly.  I’m also counting on the ZBA to disregard a 900 person petition against the coffee shop….believe it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ori-Feibush/8213741 Ori Feibush

    We are going through the final steps for approval.  Assuming we can avoid any new litigation we should be open shortly.  I’m also counting on the ZBA to disregard a 900 person petition against the coffee shop….believe it.

  • gardenweasel

    Funny how these petitions never seem to make it to my door.  It’s almost as if they knew in advance I would tell them to get bent.

  • Stamy

    Excellent, thanks for the update. I’m looking forward to it!

  • jester

    900 people voted against a coffee shop?!

  • Guest

    Is this really happening?  Please be honest.  I’m not trying to be a jerk, but it seems like it’s not happening.  I’ve also heard rumors of the building possibly being put back on the market.  Huge blow to the neighborhood if you don’t open that place up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ori-Feibush/8213741 Ori Feibush

    There has never, ever been a conversation about this building being put on the market.  Whoever suggested that is simply starting rumors.  It was never a consideration, was never discussed, and would absolutely never happen. 

    I learned my lesson with other projects in Point Breeze….I will finish the work and open once we have an unappealable decision from the ZBA.  2001 Federal Street will be a coffee shop.

    My office has also moved to acquire a very significant parcel on Point Breeze Avenue which when developed, will compliment this coffee shop well.  We will anchor Point Breeze Avenue at Wharton Street and at Federal, and hope other developers will help out in between.

  • Guest

    That’s great news and thank you for putting that rumor to rest so quickly.  Like I said, I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, but was caught off guard when I heard that.  Fully support your work in Point Breeze and am looking forward to the opening of the 2nd OCF. 

  • http://nakedphilly.com/point-breeze/two-buildings-being-developed-on-2000-block-of-federal-st/ Two Buildings Being Developed on 2000 block of Federal St. | NakedPhilly

    [...] vacant lots and fiberglass awnings disappearing on this block and new coffee shop still on the horizon for the corner of 20th St., it seems this block is really moving the right [...]

  • Phillyguy76

    Any update on this property?  Its prime coffe drinking time…

  • Stamy

    Yes, please update us!

  • IGS

    In 2012 I will be a homeowner in Point Breeze and I look forward to the coffee shop being open for business.  I really don’t understand why anyone would petition against a coffee shop, it seems quite ridiculous.  There are plenty of causes to petition and fight for, this does not seem like it should be one of them.  I look forward to engaging in the community and hope that I can be a part of making it a developing community.  I truly do hope that long term residents can see positive changes in the neighborhood are opportunities, not just for them, but for their children.  I don’t need to say how diverse the world is but in the working environment you can’t always chose your coworkers and bosses, you must learn to work well with people of diverse backgrounds.  Preventing change and diversity where we live does not act in the favor of children who may hopefully be in a diverse working world.  I suppose that this is just one aspect of a perspective that could be argued from many points but I do don’t think I would ever understand the resistance to a new coffee shop.

  • http://nakedphilly.com/spring-garden/former-mugshots-location-is-getting-a-new-tenant/ Former Mugshots Location is Getting a New Tenant | NakedPhilly

    [...] is a’ comin’. In less than a month, a second location that we’ve mentioned a bunch of times before, at 20th & Federal, is set to open its doors. The new Point Breeze cafe, a scoatch smaller than [...]

  • http://nakedphilly.com/point-breeze/tonight-a-sneak-preview-of-ocf-coffee-house/ Tonight, A Sneak Preview of OCF Coffee House | NakedPhilly

    [...] a year ago, we told you about plans for a second OCF Coffee House at the corner of 20th & Federal, in Point Breeze. And tonight, after several delays, the cafe [...]

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1371819727 Victoria Ross Ledesma

    I just read about the lawsuit over the vacant lot. Next time I’m in Philly, I will DEFINITELY stop in for a cup of coffee. Cheers!

  • Kevin

    I’ll be there too, I frequently visit family in the downtown. Apparently the city of brotherly love only describes the residents.

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