January 04, 2018
Architectural rendering/BLT Architects
City Fitness, Iron Hill Brewery, Wawa and District Taco are among the tenants announced for National Real Estate Development's East Market project.
As Center City's sprawling East Market project moves toward a summer 2018 opening, National Real Estate Development continues to round out an impressive roster of commercial tenants.
The developer announced Thursday that District Taco, a popular fast-casual Mexican restaurant from the Washington, D.C. area, will open this summer between 11th and 12th streets at Chestnut Walk.
“We are excited to welcome District Taco as our newest tenant to East Market. District Taco joins other regionally celebrated brands that are contributing to the ongoing transformation of Market Street,” said Daniel Killinger, managing director, National Development. “We’re confident that District Taco will be a hugely popular destination for both Center City residents and visitors, helping to activate East Market as a dynamic urban neighborhood.”
Over the past year, East Market has landed local favorites Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Little Baby's Ice Cream, Wawa, City Fitness and MOM's Organic Market. Office tenants at the project's first tower at 1101 Ludlow St. include architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Design Center Philadelphia.
District Taco is known for its worldly Yucatan-style cuisine, which draws influences from Mayan, Caribbean, Spanish, Middle Eastern and African dishes, as distinct from traditional Mexican food. The restaurant's first Pennsylvania location recently opened in King of Prussia.
"We started as a single taco cart with one vision," said Osiris Hoil, CEO and co-founder of District Taco. "As customer demand increased, we quickly outpaced our size, started opening storefronts, and began building a smart team with shared values. The plan here in Philadelphia is the same. We will be a part of the community serving fresh, delicious food to new neighbors and friends. People love our food, so it’s exciting to now bring it to Philadelphia, a city known for its food culture."
East Market will encompass 4.3 acres in Center City as the neighborhood undergoes a revitalization in tandem with the emergence of Fashion District Philadelphia. The developers hope to transform the entire block from Market Street to Chestnut Street and from 11th Street to 12th Street, creating a residential community around the upcoming entertainment and shopping district.
East Market's first residential tower, the 17-story Ludlow, features 322 apartments above commercial space on the lower levels. The second tower, at 20 floors, will contain 240 apartments and an extended stay option provided by local firm ROOST Apartment Hotel. Estimates put the entire development in the range of $600 million.
