playarts

1241 N. Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Owners, Krista Yutzy-Burkey and Steve Yutzy-Burkey and son, Milo.

our Story

Krista Yutzy-Burkey is a mother and an inspired music teacher living in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia. Her husband Steve Yutzy-Burkey is an accomplished carpenter with a talent for design simplicity, utility and sustainability. PlayArts was born from their shared passion and respect for education, the arts, craft and their neighborhood. Building on 16 years of music teaching experience in the Philadelphia School system, Krista noticed dramatic positive student response to play-based curriculum. Observing the effect of music learning on her own infant son’s language development, she was further inspired to branch out and share these discoveries with the growing number of infants and families in her long-time neighborhood.

In 2014, Krista began developing “PlayMusic,” with dreams of securing a nearby physical space to teach her play-based music curriculum. Finding few options in a discouraging real estate market, Krista resorted to writing personal letters to local building owners. She was rewarded with the incredible potential of a 4,500 square foot building! Its size allowed for expanding her original concept to include other types of play-based classes, parenting services and-- what would become the anchor of the entire business-- an indoor playspace. “PlayArts” finally opened its doors on September 1, 2016.

“Best new enrichment for young city kids”

— Philadelphia family love awards, 2017

OUR Building

Open to the public from 1907 until 1960, the PlayArts building is one of only two surviving indoor “public baths” built by the City of Philadelphia. (Yes, the pool is still in the basement. No, there is no water in it.) Following years of abandonment and subsequent use by a shoe repair shop and brush manufacturer, PlayArts began renovations in 2015 with the goal of restoring the building's original purpose as a gathering space in the community.

Narrated by Fon S. Wang, AIA, LEED AP BD+C PlayArts; Queen Memorial; Pennovation Center; Eastern Lofts; 841 N. American Street

Bright Common Architecture detailed the sustainably-focused renovation, while Steve led the interior design and buildout. Great care was taken to preserve original details, promote healthy indoor air quality and to repurpose existing materials. The paneling, bar-top, and much of the interior wood was sawn from lumber salvaged from neighborhood row homes. We hope you love the building as much as we do!

2017 Preservation Alliance Grand Jury Award

2017 Delaware Valley Green Building Council Groundbreaker Award