East Kensington: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:25, 23 December 2025

East Kensington

Type	Neighborhood
Location	River Wards
ZIP code(s)	19125
Boundaries	Roughly Lehigh Avenue to Norris Street, Front Street to Frankford Avenue
Adjacent	Fishtown, Kensington, Port Richmond
Major streets	Frankford Avenue, Lehigh Avenue, Front Street
Transit	Market-Frankford Line (Berks Station)
Landmarks	Frankford Avenue corridor, maker spaces

East Kensington is a transitional neighborhood in the River Wards, located between Fishtown and Kensington. The neighborhood has experienced significant development spillover from Fishtown's gentrification, with new construction, artist spaces, and businesses opening alongside longtime residents and industrial uses.

History

East Kensington was historically part of the broader Kensington industrial district. As Fishtown gentrified rapidly, development pressure moved north into East Kensington.

Character

In Transition

New construction mixed with older housing
Art studios and maker spaces
Ongoing development
Mix of demographics

Industrial Legacy

Former industrial buildings
Some converted to studios/lofts
Remaining light industrial uses

Development

East Kensington is actively developing:

New apartment buildings
Restaurant and bar openings
Art collectives
Rising property values

Concerns

Displacement of longtime residents
Gentrification pressures
Proximity to Kensington's opioid crisis
Rapid neighborhood change

Living in East Kensington

New construction apartments
Converted industrial lofts
Some rowhouses
Mix of renters and buyers

Getting There

Market-Frankford Line: Berks Station
SEPTA bus routes: 3, 5, 39

Template:FAQ

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 * '''Market-Frankford Line:''' Berks Station
 * '''SEPTA bus routes:''' 3, 5, 39
+{{FAQ
+| q1 = Where is East Kensington?
+| a1 = East Kensington is in the River Wards, bounded roughly by Lehigh Avenue (north), Norris Street (south), Front Street (west), and Frankford Avenue (east). It sits between Fishtown to the south and Kensington proper to the north.
+| q2 = Is East Kensington part of Fishtown?
+| a2 = East Kensington is a distinct neighborhood, though it's often grouped with Fishtown due to spillover gentrification. As development moved north from Fishtown, East Kensington has taken on some of Fishtown's characteristics while maintaining its own identity.
+| q3 = Is East Kensington gentrifying?
+| a3 = Yes, East Kensington has experienced significant development spillover from Fishtown's gentrification. New apartment construction, artist spaces, restaurants, and bars have opened, with rising property values and changing demographics.
+}}
 == See Also ==