Post Brothers announce the launch of Piazza Pod Park, located on Germantown Avenue at N. 2nd Street. This mixed-use community destination will feature 35,000 square feet of outdoor space that is uniquely Northern Liberties, featuring dining, art, civic space, kids and fitness components, as well as regular entertainment and events. Capturing the artistic and design-centric character of the Northern Liberties neighborhood that surrounds it, the Pod Park will feature retail spaces made entirely of recycled shipping containers, two mega-scale installations from internationally acclaimed artists, and a local artists in residence program with regular classes. Nearly a dozen dining options will include many locally and nationally recognized restaurant owners. Additional retail attractions will include Tiny Tildie’s Toy Box, an outpost of the mighty Tildie’s Toy Box on East Passyunk Avenue, and the newest location of insta-famous Osayi Osunde’s Fit Academy. Waving from the Center of Piazza Pod Park will be BEBOT, a 33-foot tall, 13,000-pound robot from Burning Man. Look for seating for up to 300 people. Connecting The Piazza and Piazza Pod Park to the Market/Frankford Line of SEPTA will be an outdoor art installation created out of 185 pulsing and colorful ThinkCubes. Entertainment will include food festivals, themed happy hours, yappy hours, outdoor concerts, food and drink workshops, and other special events.

“When we purchased The Piazza we realized we had this tremendous opportunity to not just revitalize this amazing complex, but to contribute on a larger level to the success of Northern Liberties,” said Post Brothers CEO Mike Pestronk. “The Piazza is the very heart and soul of this ever-evolving neighborhood that continues to grow and expand at record pace. We are proud to present Northern Liberties with an exciting new community space. Post Brothers is thrilled to bring a renewed energy back to the area - and together light the spark for great things to come.”

BURNING MAN ART INSTALLATION

BEBOT was created by London-based artist Andrea Greenlees. The climbable wireframe sculpture is 33 feet tall and weighs 13,000 pounds. The artwork is literally the heart of the entire park, with a literal giant copper heart at its core.

Greenlees created the installation in 2018 for Burning Man in keeping with the year’s theme, “I, Robot,” where artists were asked to look at “how many forms of artificial intelligence that permeate our lives." BEBOT was designed originally to be participatory art, where art enthusiasts could climb on, around and inside the frame.

“The activities of [people] inside it bring it to life – they become the robot’s eyes, its ears, its voice, its soul, its spirit, its collective heartbeat,” said Greenlees. “BEBOT’s body is [designed to be] open and welcoming. As a climbing frame it cannot be resisted and it encourages the immediacy and abandon of pure play. Its various levels provide viewing platforms from which to survey… [Climbers] can face outwards or sit in intimate circles facing inwards. A place to meet and talk, to gather and party and perform, BEBOT encourages shared experience and self-expression.”

While Piazza Pod Park goers won’t be able to ascend BEBOT at this time, Post Brothers say stay tuned for surprises that will showcase BEBOT’s many charms and features. BEBOT was named by Art World as one of the “biggest, weirdest and most radical art from Burning Man 2018.”

FOOD AND DRINK PODS

Next to BEBOT, at the center of the park, look for a two-level enclosed and climate controlled dining pod with a roof deck with unparalleled views of the park, the night’s entertainment, and of course, the robot himself. Surrounding BEBOT and the dining pod, are 14 colorful repurposed shipping containers, spread out in the four zones in one oversize semi-circle.

Dining options from many locally recognized restaurant operators at the opening will include:

· Dim Sum House’s Lil Sum Sum, from Jackson Fu, operator of the spectacularly popular Dim Sum House and Jane G’s in University City

· Spread Bagelry, the beloved Philly-based Montreal-style bagel shop by Larry Rosenblum, representing his third new location coming this spring

· French Toast Bites, by viral sensation Lokal Artisan Foods owner Charisse McGill who made her debut at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

· Tiki Tacos, by the deep-rooted Owen Kamihara of the NoLibs stalwart El Camino

· Mama Maria’s Italian Ice, scandalously good locally made Italian ice by Nico Papanikolaou

· Empanada Box - Savory pastries influenced by different cultures plus elote, Mexican street corn, with brushed mayo, cheese and spices

Adult refreshments will be available from neighborhood destination Urban Village brewery, acclaimed local distillery New Liberty Distillery, and more to be announced.

“We want to offer the Northern Liberties neighborhood an unparalleled amenity,” added Pestronk. “We also want to celebrate the best of local fitness, retail, food, coffee, beer and spirits by providing an out-of-the-box opportunity for small businesses involved to expand, grow and reach new audiences.”

Restaurant pods vary in side and range from 10 feet long to 40 feet long. Some have windows like a food truck that open to the outside. Others have a window, plus a mini-dining room for enjoyment in the winter months. All are equipped with heating, air conditioning and speaker systems for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Watch for Post Brothers to announce a second round of additions to the park, including well-known and award-winning names from other top foodie neighborhoods like East Passyunk and Midtown Village.

FAMILY PODS

Piazza Pod Park is pleased to welcome one of the top independent toy stores in the region. Tildie’s Toy Box, from East Passyunk Avenue, will offer opportunities for fun for the whole family. With a focus on gender-neutral toys and books, Tildie’s Toy Box aims to engage little ones in play through imagination, creativity, and exploration. Their toys are curated to repeatedly captivate children over time, providing hours and years of learning, exploring, and fun, while building memories that will last a lifetime. At their pod, Tildie’s will carry a selection of books, arts and crafts, building toys, games, and more. Tildie’s will also focus on outdoor items families can enjoy while in the Pod Park.

As Northern Liberties’ newest family destination, also look for a special nursing pod covered in beautiful flowers from top to bottom. Moms will be able to step inside for peace and quiet away from the activity in the park. Additionally, Pod Park will feature play areas and public climbable art for children that was designed to inspire creative play.

FITNESS PODS AND EVENTS

Piazza Pod Park announces Osayi Osunde's newest location for Fit Academy at Piazza Pod Park. Look for HIIT-inspired boot camps in a specially designed pod that opens from top to bottom, and faces the inside of the park.

Fit Academy has grown from a small outdoor workout set-up on the Art Museum steps into one of the region’s most well-known HIIT studios. Fit Academy is led by Osayi Osunde, a certified personal trainer who has played football at Villanova University - and who is a past Best of Philly Winner from Philadelphia Magazine. Fit Academy is the April “Studio of the Month” by Philadelphia Magazine’s Be Well division. Be Well members will have a special early and private preview of the fitness pod. Look for more details about Fit Academy’s line-up and schedule coming soon.

Additionally, get ready to take in the views of those blue skies when you head to Piazza Pod Park for open-air workouts. The Piazza will relocate yoga from the courtyard to the park.

THINKCUBE INSTALLATION

Made of 185 interconnected water storage containers, Think Cubes has over a 100,000 LEDs and is 800 feet long. Think Cubes shows the unity of the community by inviting all to stroll along the path bound and illuminated by the two rows of cubes, creating a public space to be appreciated by neighbors and visitors alike. Like Bebot, Think Cubes were showcased at Burning Man and have been recreated at various events across the country. "Think Cubes" was created and brought to Piazza Pod Park by Fired Up Management and Xtreme Fab Works.

MAY OPENING AND EVENTS PROGRAMMING

Piazza Pod Park is slated for an early May opening. The project has been months in the making - and was an idea that originated back to the early days when Post Brothers purchased The Piazza and Liberties Walk back in 2017.

“Our goal is to create the thriving community hub that the Piazza courtyard has always tried to be.” said Post Brothers CEO Mike Pestronk. “The Piazza struggled over the last several years while the rest of Northern Liberties flourished. Many of the retailers there have not been successful because the programming has not been relevant to the rest of the neighborhood. By physically moving the community hub across the street, and shifting the attractions so they speak to the neighborhood, we want to make The Piazza reach its potential. Our intention is to make this a community hub, not a tourist attraction.”

Post Brothers has a proven track record of revitalizing buildings they take over by adding inventive and luxe amenities. In the case of The Piazza, Post Brothers already has begun plans to renovate eight buildings surrounding the 80,000 square foot central plaza. As part of their plans, Post Brothers will shift the Piazza’s focus from the interior European-style courtyard to facing the streets - including Germantown Avenue, between 2nd and Hancock. This means turning the many restaurants and retail shops in The Piazza towards what will become the newly hardscaped pedestrian-friendly street. Across the street, while Piazza Terminal waits to kick-off construction, Piazza Pod Park will open and aid in creating this vibrant corridor that will ultimately connect The Piazza and Piazza Terminal.

As part of this objective, events that were traditionally held in The Piazza Courtyard will move to the street on Germantown Avenue and into Piazza Pod Park.

Year-round programming at Piazza Pod Park will offer something for everyone - with a special focus first on providing events that will energize and appeal to the neighborhood. Regular staples like outdoor movie screenings, outdoor concerts, dance lessons and makers’ workshops will return but with new twists, more frequency and added features. New events being discussed include cocktail workshops, events for Philly Beer Week, Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels events, reading nights, art events, happy hours, trivia nights, kids’ workshops, Mom and Me activities, food festivals, and much more. For four-legged friends, look for potential yappy hour nights, especially with the newly renovated dog park across the street. Also, look for events to activate the space year-round with new and additional programming between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as outdoor events in the winter months.

Piazza Pod Park will be open seven days a week, from 7:00am to 10:00pm, and until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Please check with individual pod tenants for their times and days of operation.

Piazza Pod Park is accessible by public transportation - including bus and train. The Market-Frankford subway is located just blocks away. The Piazza and Piazza Pod Park are a short ten to fifteen minute Uber or Lyft ride from Old City and Center City, Philadelphia. For those driving, look for the opening of an adjacent parking lot directly next to Piazza Pod Park with at least 150 spots anticipated being available.

For more about Piazza Pod Park, visit http://piazzapodpark.com/. Look for the full line-up of tenants and special events coming in late April and early May.

Connect with Piazza Pod Park on social media at @LivePiazza #PiazzaPodPark on Twitter, PiazzaPodPark on Instagram, and Piazza Pod Park on Facebook.

ABOUT THE PIAZZA

The Piazza is a mixed-use district and residential community for Philadelphians seeking a home off the beaten path. Located in the heart of Northern Liberties, this 15-acre district was once home to Schmidt’s, Philly’s largest and most famous brewery, established in 1860. Today, with its thriving ecosystem of culture, commerce, and top-shelf food and beverage, The Piazza offers an unparalleled experience in which to live, work, and play – differently.

Opened on May 15, 2009, this beautifully landscaped 80,000 square foot open-air district is located on 2nd Street and Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties. Rooted in the rich history of manufacturing and brewery of the Schmidt’s empire, the Piazza connects the legacy of its site with the current culture of art and making in the neighborhood.

The Piazza is currently made up of eight unique residential buildings, 140,000 SF of retail and commercial space, an 80,000 SF central plaza.

In 2019, events will transition from the central plaza to the Piazza Pod Park. From concerts to free festivals, vendor markets, screening events, dance performances, and live broadcasts of sporting events, The Piazza and Piazza Pod Park have something for everyone.

With all forms of public transportation nearby, residents have direct access to the entire city. The Piazza’s buildings are as beautiful as they are accessible, with modern architectural design that has received one of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) most prestigious honors.

Also within The Piazza is Liberties Walk, located directly across the street. Liberties Walk is an extension of the mixed-use live/work/play community with a small village vibe that consists of 72 residential walk up apartments, 30 first floor commercial and retail units, and 19 townhouses.

Notable tenants of The Piazza and Liberties Walk include Urban VIllage Brewing Company, DGX, Creep Records, Jinxed, WeWork, Orangetheory Fitness Northern Liberties, El Camino Real, Beautiful Blooms, Flying Pig Framing, The Towne Barker, Philly Hair and Makeup, Street Tails Animal Rescue, Walburgers, 215 Marketing, Philly Photo Studios, Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Maestro Filmworks, Resolution Rentals, Atrium Design Group, Group M, Dhyana Yoga, Baan Thai, Apricot, Hikari Sushi and others. Look for exciting new tenants to be announced in late spring and early summer.

For more information on how to live, shop and work at The Piazza and Liberties Walk, visit https://livepiazza.com/.

ABOUT POST BROTHERS

Post Brothers is a nationally-recognized leader in development, innovation, and sustainability. Since the company’s founding in Philadelphia in 2006 it has developed more than 30 properties and 4,000 apartments, which have all thrived due to a common theme: making a level of upscale state-of-the-art living accessible at a price point which and to people for whom it was not previously available.

Post Brothers’ triple bottom line objectives have resulted in constructing the first LEED-certified residential highrise in Philadelphia, being the largest private buyer of wind-generated electricity in the Philadelphia region, winning best places to work awards, and making six-star-resort-quality living within reach for public school teachers.

By being vertically integrated with over 200 employees providing deep in-house expertise in design, construction, leasing, and management the company is able to maintain a singular focus on product quality, creating homes that bear the collective wisdom of our enterprise. The company’s employee ownership structure ensures execution by those who care deeply about making superlative properties and effectuating exceptional experiences for our residents.