Fishtown Lokal is a newly launched six-room hotel in Philadelphia's hip and popular Fishtown neighborhood. It's the second outpost of the design-driven mini-chain founded by Chad and Courtney Ludeman.

The husband-and-wife team launched their first location, Lokal Hotel, in the heart of Philadelphia's historic Old City, and then followed up with a popular A-frame rental just outside the city in New Jersey.

Their latest lodging, Fishtown Lokal, is a cross between an Airbnb and a boutique hotel, and it embraces what the owners call “invisible service.” There is no front desk or on-site staff; instead an online check-in service provides a code for the building and its rooms.

Fishtown Lokal wholeheartedly lives up to its name—starting with the design team, which is made up of local businesses. KJO Architecture led the architectural design, while True Hand Society (Fishtown locals who specialize in both tattoos and design) took on the hotel's branding and interior design. Ferox Studio provided landscape architecture services for the rear courtyard.

The hotel's furnishings are the work of over 20 local Philly makers. Fishtown Lokal even provides a curated guide of local insider's neighborhood tips in each room. “We wanted to build something new and energy-efficient and a bit more modern than our first project in Old City,” explains Ludeman. “Fishtown is gritty and raw and modern and full of makers. We wanted to take our involvement with local makers and the local economy to the next level,” he says.

Shop the Look

You can book Fishtown Lokal directly through their website. Studios start at $215/night with the bi-level rooms starting at $325/night.

Related Reading: Lokal: A Classic Hotel with a Modern Invisible Service

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: KJO Architecture / @kjoarchllc

General Contractor: E-built

Interior Design: True Hand Society, Mike Ski / @truehandsociety

Landscape Architecture: Ferox Studio, Aimee Kirby / @ferox_studio

Structural Engineer: Larsen & Landis, Brad Landis

Civil Engineer: Ruggiero Plante, David Plante

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Summus Studio, Chris Smith

Interior Prop Stylist: Kristi Hunter

Appears In