Stunning Views from BOK in S. Philly

If you enjoy this video, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. * #bok #bokbar #bokbuilding #dickinsonsquare #playground #philadelphia #southphilly #pennsport #cityview #citylife #skyline #walkingtour BOK Bok is an old school turned workspace for makers, businesses, non-profits, and artists. Constructed in 1936 to accommodate 3,000 students from across the city, the institution offered courses on technical subjects like wallpapering, auto mechanics and cosmetology. It was designed by Irwin T. Catherine, the chief architect of Philadelphia public schools from 1920 until 1937. The school was named the Bok Vocational High School after celebrated editor, Edward William Bok, and the building opened its doors to students in 1938. The school continued its operations for many decades. Unfortunately, deferred maintenance and decreased enrollment resulted in closure in 2013. The school was put up for public auction and in 2014, was bought by Scout, a design and development firm that found new ways to utilize the space. The 340,000sf structure houses today over 250 businesses, artists, entrepreneurs and non-profits, from fashion and jewelry designers to filmmakers and glassblowers... including a rooftop bar atop the building, namely BOK Bar, offering panoramic views of the city, The Bok Building community is made up of: 61% South Philly resident-owned businesses, 52% Women-owned businesses, and 87% Self-owned businesses. buildingbok.com DICKINSON SQAURE PARK Dickinson Square Park is located in the Pennsport section of South Philadelphia. It provides safe, comfortable and pleasing open space in a densely populated neighborhood. The park features several basketball courts, swing sets, jungle gym equipment, and large shade trees on 3-acres of classic turn-of-the-century park design. It was incorporated on its own in 1812, and became officially incorporated into the City of Philadelphia in 1854. Dickinson Square Park was named for the late Pennsylvania Governor John Dickinson (1732–1808). Although he opposed independence from Great Britian, and did not sign the Declaration of Independence, he was instrumental in forging the Constitution, and was present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Dickinson Square Park is located on the site of the former Pascal Iron Works, which was founded in 1821 at the southeast corner of the Samuel B. Morris estate. The Iron Works faced west on 5th St between Tasker & Morris Sts and extended to Moyamensing Ave. From 4th St to Moyamensing Ave was the stockyard, which would become the future site of Dickinson Square Park. The Pascal Iron Works manufactured stoves, grates, and machine parts for sugar refineries, and had offices in Philadelphia and New York City. In 1835 with the introduction of gas to the city, the iron works became the first manufacturer of gas pipe, which until then was imported from England. The Pascal Iron Works had 1600 full-time employees that worked in three shifts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 1896, when the factory closed and moved their operations to Delaware, the property was deeded to the city and then transferred to the Children’s Culture League. Under the guidance of Select Councilman William Vare, Dickinson Square Park was officially opened to the public on October 27th, 1900. The event was a huge celebration attended by approximately 10,000 people, including 2,000 school students marching and singing patriotic songs. It was reported at the time that practically everyone in the First Ward was in attendance. Dickinson Square Park was among the most complete playgrounds of its kind in the United States. This “model playground” in Dickinson Square marks the transition from the “sand garden” stage of the “play movement” to more sophisticated recreational facilities for children. The impetus for children’s playgrounds came from private, philanthropic agencies whose main interest was to remove children from the hazards of the streets in crowded areas where they were subject to physical danger. This area of Philadelphia was in close proximity to manufacturing facilities near the river, many of which are now gone. The construction of I-95 in the 1960’s wrought further changes and displaced some residents, but the essence of the neighborhood remained intact as an established, middle class neighborhood. Today, Pennsport is a racially and economically diverse solid urban community that has seen gradual change as new construction and renovation of existing houses continue.