MANAYUNK

By Brenda Hillegas

Photography By Ray Cavicchio Photography

Imagine stepping out of your apartment, grabbing a complimentary cup of Starbucks coffee before you exit the lobby, and walking across the canal(via a private bridge, of course) onto Manayunk’s Main Street. Shops, restaurants, public transportation, and more are just minutes from your luxury apartment. If this all sounds like the perfect place to drop a deposit and sign a lease, then this is your chance to make that image a reality. Manayunk’s newest apartment complex, The Isle, is open and ready to rent.

“[The location] is at the epicenter of Main Street,” said The Isle’s Property Manager, Ralph Kearney. He works for the Bozzuto Group, a real estate development and construction company that specializes in apartments and other residential communities.

“[Waterford Development Associates] couldn’t resist the possibility of building luxury waterfront apartment homes in the literal heart of walkable Manayunk and all that it has to offer our new residents,” Ralph added.

According to Ralph, Waterford Development Associates chose Manayunk and the three-acre site on Venice Island as the location for The Isle simply because it’s unbeatable. All things considered, you really can’t argue those statements.

Cope Linder Architects, the firm behind the upcoming Philly W Hotel, along with designer David Ertz created this island oasis here on the banks of the Schuylkill River. Large windows and balconies in some units allow for residents to take in amazing water views no matter where their apartment is located in the building. Other projects from the firm include The Residences at Two Liberty, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and SugarHouse Casino, all of which also provide stunning views of their surroundings.

Historically, Manayunk’s Venice Island was once the site of McDowell Paper Mill, which was constructed in 1828. The canal was home to many mills, providing workers with small bridges to access their jobs. In keeping with Manayunk’s rich history, nods to the old mill can be seen throughout The Isle apartments.

“We kept a large cornerstone from the McDowell Paper Mill and have it on display in the entry of the apartment complex,” said Ralph. “We also have several original documents framed and on display from the paper mill.”

Such documents include the original plans of the mill, aerial photos from the plant while still in operation, and the Rates of Toll and Rules and Regulations for 1843.

Having a private residents’ bridge to The Isle adds to the historic feel (and privacy) of the complex.

“The gate on Main Street can only be accessed by residents of The Isle, and bring the shopping and restaurants located on Main Street steps away from our community,” Ralph said.

Giving your out-of-town friends a tour of The Isle’s site will be the highlight of any visit. This apartment complex is no doubt the perfect spot for someone who wants to live surrounded by Philadelphia’s culture without the desire to be in the heart of Center City.

There’s so much more to this pet-friendly environment though, as amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour billiard area, and a conference room with a 65’’ TV help create a setting that stands out far above other Philadelphia area living spaces. Ralph also notes a great room where residents can hold social events, a river deck overlooking the Schuylkill River, and did he mention the free Starbucks coffee? It’s also available around the clock. Late nights or early mornings, The Isle will provide you with what you need to stay on top of your routine.

“The clubroom is accessible to our residents 24 hours a day,” said Ralph who talks about the special residents-only events that take place at The Isle. “We have had many resident events: Wine Down Wednesday including some of the Manayunk Brewery’s finest selections, Water Ice Wednesday where we served the residents Via Veneto’s Italian Water Ice after work, and Breakfast on the Go where we offer breakfast sandwiches from Sorrentino’s early Friday morning.”

Ralph also makes it clear that The Isle was designed to become a part of and not apart from the Manayunk community.

“As such, we are connected physically to Main Street by both the Cotton Street bridge and our own pedestrian bridge over the Manayunk Canal, but our connection to the Manayunk community is much broader,” he explained. “We met with several of the local businesses on and around Main Street with the intent of letting them know we are ready to work side-by-side toward continuing to help make Manayunk the best it can possibly be. Manayunk is such a great neighborhood of Philadelphia and it is an honor to be a part of the local scene here."

So far, The Isle has also paired with Manayunk businesses like Pineapple on Main, Nicole Miller, Winnie’s, Whirled Peace, Liberty Gin, Salon L., Lucky’s Last Chance, Christie’s Nails, ADVENT, and so many more.

“When you’re at The Isle, you are literally on an island, and our walkability score is 92, which is very high,” he explained.

When residents are ready to head back home after work or a night on Main Street, they can return to an apartment filled with stainless steel appliances, open kitchens with movable islands, electric ranges with sealed glass top, Silestone kitchen and bathroom countertops, wood-like flooring, pantry storage, an in-unit washer and dryer, and quiet, energy-efficient heating and cooling.

If you’re in the market for a new place to live, The Isle’s website makes it incredibly easy to search for a unit that meets your specific needs. Search for studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units, search by price range, floor level, and even by how soon you’d like to move in. Floor plans help you imagine where everything will go once you settle in, and galleries of exterior, interior, amenities and neighborhood images make you feel as though you’re already a part of The Isle community.

Bozzuto Management believes that your home should be your sanctuary. What surrounds you should be your inspiration. Your community should provide an opportunity to not only live, but to experience memorable moments. Ralph said one of the other reasons people will love living at The Isle is because of the management team’s dedication to their residents.

“[We] deliver award-winning results. We are totally committed to a single goal: the complete satisfaction of our clients and residents,” Ralph said. “Delivering on that promise has won us both numerous national awards and the loyalty of our residents.”