Philadelphia is witnessing the rise of a new hub for technology and innovation. A section of North 3rd Street, stretching from Old City through Northern Liberties, is rapidly becoming known as N3rd Street. This corridor is increasingly populated with office buildings and collaborative workspaces that cater to the tech industry, solidifying Philadelphia’s position as a growing center for innovation.
For a city aiming to strengthen its reputation as an innovation hub, the emergence of areas specifically recognized for their technological concentration is crucial. While University City has long been associated with intellectual prowess, the concentrated development along N3rd Street offers a distinct marker of Philadelphia’s burgeoning digital expertise.
Alex Hillman, co-founder of Indy Hall, a coworking space located at 22 N. 3rd Street, emphasizes the importance of this growing density. “The ultimate outcome of talent density is success,” Hillman stated. “It becomes significantly easier to connect with individuals who are not only geographically close but also increasingly interconnected. People are drawn here to build relationships, not just occupy adjacent workspaces.”
The concept of N3rd Street is more organic than a planned campaign. It’s a community of tech professionals who, as Hillman describes, engage in competition, collaboration, and mutual inspiration, pushing each other towards greater achievements in their respective fields.
The burgeoning N3rd Street community includes:
The proximity of a cluster of tech talent, all within walking distance in this area – even if the walk from Old City to Northern Liberties is a mile and not always picturesque – is a significant draw for businesses looking to establish themselves and retain skilled employees, as John Fazio, co-founder of Devnuts, previously noted.
“This is beneficial for Philadelphia,” Fazio commented, highlighting the broader positive impact of N3rd Street.
Hillman believes N3rd Street provides an opportunity to brand Philadelphia uniquely, attracting and nurturing businesses by offering a distinct identity that differentiates it from other tech hubs.
“You shouldn’t aspire to merely replicate New York or San Francisco, as everyone else is doing that,” Hillman advised. “My vision for Philadelphia was to evolve into a superior version of itself, rather than a copy of other cities.”
Newer companies in the N3rd Street area, such as Devnuts, contribute significantly to the sense of community, alongside established firms like i-Site, a web design and marketing company that has been based in Philadelphia since 1996.
“i-Site has been a fixture in this neighborhood for over ten years. Their presence here was a very encouraging sign for us,” Hillman mentioned, reflecting on Indy Hall’s establishment in Old City in 2007. “We moved in, they were already here – a group of talented individuals working on impactful projects and genuinely invested in fostering a robust, resilient community.”
This report is a collaboration with Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods program, part of Temple’s Department of Journalism’s capstone course.
Companies: Devnuts / Tonic Design / I-Site / Indy Hall / Jarvus Innovations / WebLinc / Wildbit
Tags: Coworking / N3rd Street / Philadelphia / Philadelphia Neighborhoods / Technical.ly
