Bok Yearbook 2022

regarding: bok

Bok is a historic former school that has been sensitively adapted into a vital part of the Philadelphia creative landscape. Today, the 340,000 sq ft building is home to over 200 makers, non-profits, and small businesses ranging from jewelry makers to video production studios, from a private school for contemporary realist art to a wellness center serving immigrants and refugees.

Bok is a place of imagination, sweat, enthusiasm, and opportunity. If laid out horizontally, the building would occupy nine city blocks — a

neighborhood by any right — which embodies as much diversity as the community it serves. Over 600 people work at Bok on a daily basis, and we host upwards of 300 events here each year. The rooftop bar attracts more than 75,000 visitors every season, with another 30,000 attending events hosted in the building.

In 2022, the world turned a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, and we saw a collective return to some semblance of normalcy. It was an exciting year for Bok as we grew to reach 100% occupancy — an incredible achievement

over seven years in the making. We welcomed some wonderful new additions to the building including Greenly Plant Co, The Bowery Presents, You Wraps, Pet Riso (born from our 2021 project at the PHS Flower Show), U90 Soccer Center, Baby Tooth and many others. In addition to wonderful people, we also added some exciting new infrastructure including a new ADA entrance on Dudley Street, high speed internet by PhillyWisper, and a total rebuild of our center elevator.

Here’s a look back at 2022, our seventh year reimagining Bok...

7th floor hallway turned Studio Incamminati Opposite page: Chemistry lab turned Diadora

24% of the building is leased to non-profits

70% of the building is occupied by artists, makers, and creatives

348,000 ft2 of building space

27% Minority-owned businesses in Bok

23% Minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania

55%

Womanowned businesses in Bok

Compared to Compared to19% Woman-owned businesses in Philadelphia

City Hall

Independence Hall

Bok

of businesses started in a home office or studio 50% 46%

of businesses are under 5 years old

21,521ft2 largest tenant space

66% of tenants live in South Philadelphia

52 ft2 smallest tenant space

<1k ft2 1-2.5k ft2

How big are our tenants’ spaces? 2.5k ft2

“The Bok Building was my first introduction to Philly when FABSCRAP moved in and it was such a welcoming and exciting space to come into. It has been wonderful to be surrounded by so many creative people and it is like no other building I have worked in!”

“The raw, industrial quality of Bok’s work spaces is a testament to the careful curatorial work that Scout has done to incorporate functional modern work spaces with the building’s vintage interior.”

34th Street Magazine

Lindsey Troop, Fabscrap

“The Wyss Wellness Center is proud to provide care to some of the most vulnerable immigrant communities living in Philadelphia. The Bok Building has an ideal location as it has provided a safe space for our patients, as well as the surrounding community.”

Marc Altshuler, MD Jefferson Center for Refugee Health

“BOK is a vertical village: miles and miles of art, industry, craft, hospitality, and services under one roof. So many of us lived and worked in South Philly for over a decade behind closed doors, in isolation. Bok became our nexus, linking skills, tools, ideas, and people across a community of dozens, then hundreds.”

Avigail Milder, Milder Furniture

“We love our home at Bok... The opportunities to collaborate are endless. We partner with other tenants to create internships and learning experiences for our participants. We deliver programs at the local schools. We support our neighbors by purchasing food and furniture whenever we can. As one team member put it, ‘If only they had apartments, I would never leave!’”

Dena Herrin, Girls Inc.

building BOK

1 Chris Daye Floor Supervisor

3 Genise Deal Ambassador

2 Frank Stephan Maintenance Supervisor

12

Robert Moore Facilities

4 George Toy Facilities

5 Jermaine Young Facilities Supervisor

7 Lionel Rice Facilities

6 Ken Wylie Facilities

8 Matt Ober Lead Ambassador

9 Ralph Coco Facilities

11

Robert Boone Ambassador

10 Ralph Simmons Facilities

13 Steve Sabulsky Facilities Director

1 Brogan Austin Events Manager

3 Christine Hassinger Project Researcher

2 Cacie Rosario Marketing & Communications Manager

4 Danielle DeMuro Bookkeeper

this year @ bok

re grow :

: source re develop :

key accomplishments

this year @ bok

1 WKSHP renovation complete

What was once a neglected back door to the building has been transformed into the bustling main entrance to Bok. The WKSHP, originally the auto-body shop during Bok’s Vo Tech days, is now home to a collection of food offerings and carefully curated retail business, including a ceramics studio, a print shop, and a bicycle repair shop. 2022 kicked off with the opening of the last WKSHP space, Machine Shop’s retail bakery, which attracted a loyal following along with national attention, being named a 2022 Best New Restaurant by Eater.

2 Reached 100% occupancy

Seven years after we began a phased redevelopment of the building and welcomed our first tenants, the building celebrated 100% occupancy when The Bowery Presents moved into our last available space, the former cafeteria kitchen. With 200 tenants across nine floors of the building, we grappled with new challenges like addressing electrical load issues, but we also took the annual year-end party to new levels with karaoke in the auditorium.

3 Partnered with PhillyWisper

PhillyWisper became both a tenant and a new independent Internet Service Provider at Bok. Their point-topoint radio antennas on our 9th floor terrace broadcast affordable WiFi to thousands of families and businesses in South Philly, providing a low-cost alternative to the other internet service providers.

100% full but never finished, we’re proud of the milestones reached this year.

bok projects

The bar at Irwin’s was fully remodeled, offering guests a front

At this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show in FDR Park, we collaborated with Bok tenant Sabbatical Beauty and Philly-based artist Carl Durkow (a former tenant!) on The Smelly Tunnel, a playful and sensory installation. Visitors passed through essential oil misting gateways, watering themselves like a flower. This interactive piece engaged all the senses, highlighted the healing power plants, and encouraged everyone to embrace their inner child.

Our main entrance on Dudley Street was revamped with an ADA compliant lift, a custom chandelier made from construction materials, and shiny new planters, which are lovingly cared for by longtime facilities team member, George.

We seriously stepped up our signage game with a little help from our friends and Bok tenant, Smith & Diction.

Our historic Art Deco auditorium got a makeover thanks to Bok tenant, Klip Collective.

From patching walls to flower patches, no task was too big or too small for our team.

1 Irwin’s Bar Renovations

row seat to the best views in town.

2 PHS Flower Show

3 Dudley Street Entrance Improvements

5 Auditiorium Facelift

4 Updated Wayfinding

awards + recognitions

Dezeen Awards

Architecture / Rebirth

Project: Longlist

Bok

Out of over 5,400 entries from 90 countries, Bok was one of 28 projects longlisted in the Rebirth Project: Architecture category (and one of only two US projects recognized)

Bon Appétit

10 Best New Restaurants in America in 2022

Irwin’s Girls Inc.

20th Annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Celebration

Community Impact Award

Lindsey Scannapieco

Philly Mag

100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia

Saeed Ferguson of All Caps Studio

Maori Karmael Holmes of BlackStar Projects

Food & Wine

Best New Chefs 2022

Emily Riddell of Machine Shop Boulangerie

Eater

15 Best New Restaurants of 2022

Machine Shop Boulangerie

AIA Philadelphia

2022 Philadelphia

Emerging Architecture Prize Award

Gnome Architects

Philly Mag

Best of Philly 2022

Best Film Ambassador: Maori Holmes of BlackStar Projects

Best Luxe Facial: Franklin’s Secret at W Philadelphia Away Spa (collab between W Philadelphia and Franklin & Whitman)

2022 James Beard Award

Semifinalist: Outstanding Baker

Rhonda Saltzman and Mercedes Brooks of Second Daughter Baking Co.

We’re impressed with our tenants, and it turns out the world is, too. Here are some of the accolades they racked up last year.

“We don’t know how else to say this, but Irwin’s is going to make you want to rip your clothes off... Blame the combo of comforting but stylized Sicilian dishes [...] and the eighth-floor Bok Building views of South Philly. No other restaurant feels this sexy right now.

“Standing amid the remnants of a once–abandoned school, the building is now a vibrant mecca of entrepreneurship.”

“A plate of chewy hand-rolled twists of trofie pasta; a cold glass of fizzy biodynamic wine; a seat on the [Irwin’s] rooftop terrace watching the sun set over Center City. Heaven.”

From design to food and festivities, the Bok team

grabbed headlines in 2022.

BOK & BOK EVENTS

2022 Dezeen Awards Longlisted - Rebirth Project

Bok Is Bigger Than a Building

BOK BAR

7 spring things to do in Philly

Bok Bar in South Philly to reopen for its seventh season in April

IRWIN’S

Bon Appétit’s 10 Best New Restaurants 202

buzz about: bok this year @ bok

The No-B.S. Guide to Getting Into Philly’s Busiest Restaurants

Bok opens its studios for tours

Bok Bar Returns with New Chef Residency Series

The Absolute Best Mediterranean Restaurants In The US

Bok Building hosting Candlelight Concert series featuring tributes to Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and classic rock

45 of the best things to do in Philly this weekend and next week

The First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Dining in Philadelphia

After seven years, South Philadelphia’s 338,000SF Bok building is 98% leased Colorful Drink Cards Brought a Playful Twist to This Bok Building Micro-Wedding

Philly’s Best Kid-Friendly Beer Gardens

The Best Things To Do & Eat During Philly Pride Month

Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in Philadelphia

Kalaya and Mike’s BBQ Team Up for a Thai BBQ Brisket Sandwich

buzz about: bok tenants

Our tenants really know how to get the town talking! Here are just a handful of the local and national media mentions Bok businesses received this year.

ALL CAPS STUDIO

ComplexLand Brands to Watch: ALL CAPS STUDIO Wants to Promote Growth and Positivity Through Clothing

ARS NOVA WORKSHOP

Rising star sax player

Immanuel Wilkins returns to Philly to celebrate the release of his thrilling 2nd album

AUBREY LEVINTHAL

Figuration Is the Art of Our Era for a Simple Reason: Because Artists Are Painting ‘What They Love’

BANDIT

South Philly vegan cheesemaker gets a new cheese cave and more thanks to a $1.5 million VC investment

BLACKSTAR

The Biggest Events and Festivals in Greater Philadelphia for 2022

Watch These SundanceSupported Films at the 2022 BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia

At the BlackStar Film Festival, a Revelatory Understanding of Cinema

FABSCRAP

Finding Wonder in Textile Wast

How 3 Clothing Processers Are Reducing Textile Waste

Sustainable companies combat the carbon footprint of fast fashion

FOREVER VALENTINE BEAUTY

BASE BUTTER

February’s Libra Horoscope Is Here, and Crushes Are Coming Your Way

‘GMA’ Deals & Steals on Black-owned businesses, plus Valentine’s Day favorites

These are the Black-owned beauty brands you should try ASAP

CAGE

Arts groups call on Philly to help out with pandemic relief funds

DEACON HOSPITALITY GROUP

Divine Preservation DESIGN MANIFEST

A 1920s East Passyunk Rowhome Gets a Colorful Makeover

The Ultimate Guide to Beauty Treatments in Philadelphia: The Price of Beauty

FRANKLIN AND WHITMAN

These 8 Just-Launched Skincare, Makeup, and Hair Products Are Already Trending on Amazon

GIRLS’ INC.

Construction camp teaches young girls in Philadelphia region about careers in the trades

DNA FLORAL

The 17 best places to buy flowers in Philadelphia

“You can’t have a conversation about vintage in Philadelphia without discussing Keesean Moore’s design library.”

“Ferguson’s All Caps Studio style is just as sunny as he is; it won’t be long before the rest of the world knows about him, too.”

“Every plate that hits the table [at Irwin’s]... positively sings”

“Machine Shop embodies high standards of excellence without any of the pretension. It’s just how we do things in Philly.”

KG STRONG

43 of the best things to do in Philly this weekend and next week

REMARK GLASS

From landfill to work of art: Glass gets new life at South Philadelphia small business

KLIP COLLECTIVE

Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective transforms Grounds for Sculpture landscape

New ‘Dreamlike’ Show Lets You See Nashville Zoo Like Never Before

Taking the Museum Experience Outdoors

LOBO MAU

From Trash to Treasure

Grant from Manufacturing PA Initiative to improve glass recycling technology

ROOM SHOP

The Loveliest Valentine’s Day Accessories

Meet The Kidcore Stylist

Who’s A “Sustainable Maximalist”

SECOND DAUGHTER

Philly Nabs 11 Semifinalist Nominations for the 2022 James Beard Awards

Chef’s Table with bakers Rhonda Saltzman and Mercedes Brooks

A toast to Philadelphia’s girl bosses, entrepreneurs and women business owners

THE WELCOMING CENTER

The Welcoming Center presents its 19th annual Solas Awards

Mexican American bicycle ‘lowriders’ celebrate festive Memorial Day weekend on two (and sometimes three) wheels

Altar created in South Philly in honor of Día de los Muertos

STREETS DEPT

Meet the leaders advancing The Promise’s mission to lift Philadelphians out of poverty

SABBATICAL BEAUTY

To do this week: Celebrate Women’s History Month

MACHINE SHOP

If You Can’t Go to France, Go to Machine Shop Boulangerie in South Philly Instead

Food & Wine Best New Chefs 2022: Emily Riddell

MOORE VINTAGE

The best vintage clothing stores in Philadelphia

MURAL ARTS

This city has more than 4,000 murals—and counting

Where to Explore Latino Art in Philadelphia

See the best street art in these 10 cities across the country

PAST PRESENT PROJECTS

The Sachs Program celebrates fifth year of supporting arts innovation at Penn

A New Acupuncture Practice

Just Opened in Fishtown

How to Use Gua Sha to Supercharge Your At-Home Skincare Routine

Philly Arts and Music Fest is coming to the Navy Yard this fall

U90

A soccer field is coming to the roof of the Bok building this fall

Bok Building to open rooftop soccer field with goal of increasing community sports centers

SYMONE SALIB

Amid pandemic, student participation crucial in Central Montco Technical High School mural project

A big tribute and dance party for Philly to celebrate what Selena means to them

WYSS WELLNESS CENTER

Language barriers, bias, and cultural differences hinder access to health care for Asian Philadelphians

“[Second Daughter has] the best (and most famous!) brownies in the city. They’re simple, yet perfect.”

“Holmes [of BlackStar] is the rare triple-threat cinephile.”

“Klip’s installations are dynamic, layered transformations of architecture and nature into largescale, visual, and auditory artworks.”

“[Base Butter] has a solution for all and a unique roster of products that exemplify top quality and attention to detail.”

leasing

After 7 years of carrying out construction parallel to leasing, 2022 brought two major milestones: the completion of construction on tenant spaces and 100% occupancy. In similar buildings, reaching full occupancy typically signals completion. However at Bok we will never be finished — we are a living, breathing and constantly evolving community.

We will always have areas of the building that are less finished, ensuring we retain and continue to attract those who prioritize affordability over Class A amenity. We continue to look at opportunities for responding to need by reconsidering how space is used, whether that’s converting an old mechanical room in the

re: lease

re move :

basement for Bottle Underground’s processing center and an old fan room for You Wraps’ print shop, or renting an underutilized meeting room to The Craftship or carving out a corner of the WKSHP for Pet Riso. We support flexible lease terms which means the building and community inside will remain porous, allowing new members to join and others to transition beyond the walls of Bok. We will remain nimble and responsive to tenants’ needs to expand or contract with us. We learn something new from this building every day and we look forward to seeing what lessons 2023 brings.

The basement fan room turned You Wraps large format print shop

The cafeteria kitchen turned The Bowery Presents

The boy’s gymnasium turned event space

BEFORE AFTER

The cosmetology classroom turned Fringe Hair Salon

The 8th floor roof turned Irwin’s

BEFORE AFTER

The home economics classroom turned Room Shop

tenants

seniors

Abby Schwartz Associates

AJ Clarinets

Amazulu

Ars Nova Workshop

5 years or more at BOK

Art Sphere

Big Sound & Braxton

Guitars

Blair Brothers Music

Bok Bar

Bottle Underground

CAGE

Cheyne Rood

Chris Reed

Colin M. Lenton

Photography

David Guinn

David Morgan

David Pap

Done & Dusted

Donna Wells

Emily Eichelberger

Feb 31st

Federation of Neighborhood Centers

Firth & Wilson

Transport Cycles

Forever Valentine Beauty

Forever Valentine Tattoo

Franklin and Whitman

Fringe Salon

Garces Foundation

Glenn Kellum

Gnome Architects

Isaac Lin

Jason Forrest

Jessica Saint Beauty

KG Strong

Klip Collective

Kyle Cook

Laos in the House

Lauren Lyles

Leslie Abend

Lobo Mau

Machine Shop

Boulangerie

seniors 5 years or more at BOK

Madlab Entertainment

Mallory Weston

Mangrove Media

Melanie Bilenker

Maria Eife

Matt Stanley Photo

Milder Furniture

Philadelphia Printworks

Phillips Black Project P.L.A.Y. School

Remark Glass

Revival Letterpress

Ryan Johnson

Sam Oberter Photography

Squidynamite

Miles Table Scout

Shira Walinsky

Studio Kitchen

Consulting

Steve Boyle Photo

StevieChris Photography

Stover Ceramics

Thom Lessner

Toner Architects

Vivas Music

Milder Furniture

juniors 3-5 years at BOK

1HP Entertainment

Andrew Mead, Ben Sibley, Cory Popp

Arsenal Mediaworks

Aubrie Costello

Apostrophe Technologies

Beehive @ Bok

Bevy of Objects

BiFocal Creative

Bike and Build

BlackStar Projects

Caitlin McCormack

Caroline Kunka

The Challenge Program

Crisco & Frisco

Danielle Siegelbaum Design Manifest

Diadora U.S.

Dragonfly Audio Post

Echo Metals

Elliot Reynolds

juniors

Ellyse Bendillo Highline

James Dybvig

Jeff Rubio

Kara Howland Design

Kate Dannenburg

Marcelino Stuhmer

Mt. Airy Custom Furniture

My ND Integrative Health

Myriad Magnetic NaturAll Ohm Family

Chiropractic

Peter Brown Studio

PhilaTuner

Rebecca Asch Redshift

RGA Associates

Rider Ceramics

Roantree Weavers

Robert Boone

juniors 3-5 years at BOK

Room Shop

Sabbatical Beauty

Salomon Photography

Scale Design Group

Scipio’s Commercial Cleaning

Smith & Diction

Streets Dept.

Sweetwater Portraits

T. Kahres Jewelry

Texture Florals

The Tiny Jeweler

Two Persons

Wag Days

The Water Trust

Weaver House

Wyss Wellness Center

sophomores 1-3 years at

12th Glow

Alex Wasseman

ALLCAPS STUDIO

Amy Novinski

BOK

Anthony DeMelas

Aubrey Levinthal

Aubrey Mascali

Bandit

BASE BUTTER

Black Cat Design House

Bryan Kentner

Cannuscio Rader Family Foundation

Christina Griffin

Jewelry

David Campbell

Days Away Creative Deacon Hospitality Group

Dindga McCannon

DNA Floral

Dutch Label Shop

Elizabeth Bergeland

sophomores

Out&Back

Past Present Projects

Rachel Pierson Art

Rapport Communications

1-3 years at BOK

Rohe Creative

Ruth Feldman

Sammy Kovnat

Sarah Rachel Brown

Second Daughter Baking Co.

Shira Friedman

Sierra Barela

Studio 1935

Studio Bladel

Studio Incamminati

Surry Hills Stones

Symone Salib

Theodore A. Harris

Tony Havrilla

U90

Uh-Huh Art Objects

Elizabeth Bergeland

freshmen

Alejandro Escobar

Alyssa Liles-Amponsah

Amy Swanepoel & Ben Reiley

Baby Tooth

1 year or less at BOK

Bok Events

The Bowery Presents

The Craftship

George Murphy

Gladney Hall

Greenly Plant Co.

Gregory Hanson

Gustavo Prado

Haiama Beauty Co.

Irwin’s

Jason Killinger

Jessica Lawrence

Jolie Ngo

Katrina Sorrentino

Kinfolk Bride

Kirby Lowenstein

where are they now?

Moore Vintage Archive, founded in 2014 by Keesean Moore, is a design library and store specializing in designer vintage womenswear. In November of 2022, Keesean relocated his store to the iconic Fabric Row on 4th Street, where he’ll continue to rework vintage and rare iconic fashion labels.

In June of 2022, Nat Fry relocated his Bokbased woodworking shop to a renovated barn in Willistown, PA. Nat continues to engineer unique pieces of furniture that are personal and meaningful.

BASE BUTTER founder She’Neil Spence welcomed baby Zachary “Tre” Cortez Spence III on February 7, 2022. On the business side, BASE BUTTER decided to give their team time to reflect as they get ready for the next chapter in 2023.

Peter Brown, author and illustrator of many bestselling children’s books, moved to Newcastle, Maine, where he released a new picture book called Creepy Crayon!

1 Moore Vintage

2 Nat Fry Woodworking

3 BASE BUTTER

4 Peter Brown Studio

We’re always sad to see our tenants go, but we love to see them spread their wings in new and exciting ways!

tenant impact

1 Bottle Underground

Sister organization of Remark Glass, Bottle Underground strives to reduce glass waste and to make the best use of bottle glass through recirculation, recycling, downcycling, and upcycling. In 2022, the nonprofit diverted 100,000 lbs of glass from the waste stream, reused 3,000 jars as packaging for local small businesses, facilitated replanting 30,000 lbs of crushed glass sand with compost, and upcycled 5,000 pieces of glass into home goods.

2 Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey

2022 was a year of growth and transition at Girls Inc. The organization launched a paid internship program for high school juniors and seniors, many of which worked with Bok tenants. Another success was their initiative to build awareness and address period poverty, created by the organization’s high school leadership program.

3

Wyss Wellness Center

The Wyss client population grew to 3,000 in 2022 and included many Hispanic, Latino, and southeast Asian immigrants along with a large refugee population and many other individuals and families from the South Philly area. The Center also carried out domestic medical exams for a large number of recent Afghan refugees, many of whom still go to Wyss for primary care.

4 FABSCRAP

2022 was Fabscrap’s first full year in operation at their Philadelphia location. With the help of 1,755 volunteers, they sorted 72,000lbs of fabric since opening their doors at Bok. They welcomed 1,800 shoppers and sold or gave away 19,000 lbs of fabric originally destined for landfills. The organization also worked with 27 Philadelphiabased companies to keep their waste out of landfills, including Bok tenants like Room Shop Vintage and Philadelphia Printworks!

Our tenant community never fails to amaze us with their incredible work. Here are some highlights from 2022.

6 Baby Tooth

New to the WKSHP in 2022, Baby Tooth carries goods by local Philly artists and makers. The retail shop raised over $4,500 by donating a portion of all their sales to Homies Helping Homies, a community mutual aid initiative focused on food and household item distribution in South Philly’s Point Breeze neighborhood.

tenant impact

7

In 2022, KG Strong raised over $5,000 for local non-profits. Much of this was generated with proceeds from their Bok Rooftop Yoga Program. This year, proceeds supported Uplift, SEAMAAC, Covenant House, YSRP, Friends and Neighbors of Southwark, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Emily’s Entourage.

8 Art Sphere Inc.

Art Sphere provided free arts classes to over 1,100 youth in local recreation centers and schools in 2022. The organization links art to music, dance, and even outer space to open up new horizons. Thanks to over 300 volunteers, Art Sphere has online video courses, lesson plan books, and hundreds of educational handouts available for free on their website.

9 The Federation of Neighborhood Centers (FNC)

FNC designed their Working for Success Program to help young people achieve their dream careers by placing them in paid internships. In 2022, FNC placed 60 interns in their desired fields across the city (a new record!). Their internships range from HIV/AIDS advocacy to filmmaking. Over 3,500 hours were worked by their interns, and FNC paid out $53,347 in wages.

10

The Welcoming Center

The Welcoming Center is a non-profit that works to support immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals. Their Bok hub is specifically focused on supporting entrepreneur crafts people looking to sell their goods to the world. In 2022, The Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia hosted 200 people for their Taco Fiesta fundraiser at Bok. Eight different restaurants from South Philly participated, raising over $7,000 (and serving 800 tacos!).

KG Strong

events

community & events

Bok hosts events and community groups nearly every day of the year. From staples like Open Studios and the B[L]OK Party to parties and fundraisers that bring people together, there is no shortage of exciting events at Bok all year round.

bok open studios

Open Studios reached new heights in 2022, drawing in over 4,000 visitors eager to engage with our community. Held twice a year in the spring and fall, this biannual event brings visitors into direct contact with the makers, artists, and small businesses who call Bok home. Guests shopped, sipped, and enjoyed live music and tenant demos across all 8 floors of the building.

B[L]OK party

Our take on the classic summer-in-the-city block party, the B[L]OK Party brings the neighborhood together to celebrate all things BOK and South Philly. Now in its 7th year, this highly anticipated event attracts hundreds of families to take part in the festivities — and of course get in a few jumps in the bounce house!

alumni day

Every August, we welcome hundreds of Bok Vo Tech graduates back to their old stomping grounds for Alumni Day, an all-day celebration that reconnects former classmates, teachers, and friends. We believe that honoring the rich history of the building and staying connected with the alumni community is a crucial part of this mission. Alumni Day is packed with fun activities including tours, slideshows, live music, and a reception at Bok Bar. Go Wildcats!

community events

We love to partner with organizers outside of the building who share our vision of creating a better Philadelphia — and world — for all. In 2022, we offered discounted spaces for events that celebrate our city’s youth, diversity, and culture. We are proud to support events that promote important causes, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with those who share our values.

A few highlights from 2022 included:

• Pineapple Club Abortion Rights Fundraiser

• Day of the Dead with The Welcoming Center

• Taco Fiesta with The Welcoming Center

• REC Philly x UnderDog fundraiser for BE:Philly

• SEAMAAC elders’ breakfasts

• CAGE cultural events

rooftop

irwin’s

Chef Michael Vincent Ferreri moved to Philadelphia in 2011 where he worked for acclaimed chefs such as Jose Garces at Tinto, Michael Solomonov at Zahav, and Joey Baldino at Zeppoli. It was at Zeppoli that the seed of Ferreri’s love affair with treating beautiful ingredients simply started to blossom into his expression of Modern Sicilian Cuisine. In 2019, Ferreri was named among Philadelphia’s Star Chefs Rising Stars. His cuisine celebrates the seasons and the farmers that harvest the best of their terroir.

Opening at the height of the pandemic, Irwin’s has cultivated such a following that they expanded their kitchen and bar in 2022. Ferreri is thrilled to call Irwin’s his home and honored to have been named one of 10 Best New Restaurants in America in 2022 by Bon Appétit.

Michael Ferreri Executive Chef

Michael Lancaster Wine & Beverage Director

Ervis Kullolli Chef de Cuisine

Julie Serpico General Manager

Reese Bernstein Sous Chef

bok bar

2022 felt like a return to normalcy. As Philadelphians emerged from COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines eased, the crowds began to gather once again at Bok Bar. Named “Best Scene” by the Philadelphia Inquirer ’s Reader’s Choice, the bar continues to be a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can take in the views.

Bok Bar collaborates with local chefs and thought leaders to offer a diverse range of events, pop-ups, and workshops throughout the season. With such a robust calendar of activities, there’s always something new and exciting happening at this beloved rooftop destination.

Ian Kingsbery General Manager

Heather Jackson Assistant General Manager

There is a community at Bok; an ever-evolving group of talented people and businesses that have helped define the building as much more than a place where people work. With this ethos in mind, Bok Bar collaborated with over 50 programming partners in 2022, bringing together the best this city has to offer in food and entertainment. Their diverse group of partners produced 29 weeks of events across 4 programming pillars:

MAKE

Handson artist workshops and maker events

MOVE

Anything that moves you, from live music to DJs to fitness events

SPARK

Panels and conversations that ignite the mind and spark change

TASTE

Pop-ups and food concepts from the best chefs in Philadelphia

80pop-upseventsandin2022

68,200+ guestsattendedevents

36 BIPOC-led events

21,165 ‘SunsetSituation’ Cocktailssold

110 hours of live music

bok bar by the numbers

51,000 photostakenofthe Phillyskyline

7 foodpartners

$351,000+ revenuegeneratedin for Bok Barpartners

“Being a part of the Bok community has been a gamechanging experience for us. It is a warm and welcoming community that has opened the door to so many personal and professional opportunities. Excited to see what the future at Bok holds for us!”

Carley Hussain, Black Cat Design House

“No where else could I foster growing a business and a family simultaneously. The Bok village is strong, I’m proud to be part of it.”

Megan Stover, Stover Ceramics

“The harmonious juxtaposition between innovators makes Bok unique. The building is a far cry from a homogenous office space; it provides opportunities for cross–business collaboration and community engagement beyond Bok’s four walls.”

34th Street Magazine

“While Bok has grown so much since we joined in 2016, it still has that same family-like energy. Popping up to Bok Bar with other tenants at the end of a work day has given way to great conversations and collaborations, like custom-made furniture for our space by Milder, or Sweetwater photographing our collections. The Bok community has enriched our business and our lives!”

“The Welcoming Center knew it made sense to have a space for immigrant entrepreneurs in South Philly. What at first was a blank space now holds many memories; memories of events, of team building, and collective work that support the same creative energy that is apparent throughout the building. We feel welcomed.”

Nicole Marcote, The Welcoming Center

Jordan and Nicole Haddad, Lobo Mau

She had a good run... well, many good runs.

Edited by Scout | Designed by Kelley Garrard