In late 2019 we had the pleasure of getting to know Houndstooth Tattoo (previously known as Philadelphia Tattoo Collective) and helping them search for a space that was the right fit for their growing company. Their new space needed to have unique characteristics and building features that fit with their studio’s aesthetic. Over the course of a few months and looking at countless sites around the Fishtown, Spring Arts, and Kensington neighborhoods, we identified the perfect location in the heart of Spring Arts with a landlord who also happens to be a client of ours, Arts + Crafts Holdings.
Houndstooth Tattoo is a hugely successful, high-end tattoo studio originally founded in Fishtown as Philadelphia Tattoo Collective. At a time where their studio was growing to notoriety across Philadelphia and even the country, they were being forced to relocate from their original site in Fishtown due to ongoing redevelopment. Looking at this hurdle as an opportunity, the founders and key artists, Evan Lovett and Andrew Johnson-Lally, decided to rebrand as Houndstooth Tattoo and find a space where they could reimagine their studio.
Before Houndstooth could secure their lease, we needed to ensure that they would be able to actually operate their business wherever they went. Regardless of current zoning, in Philadelphia, Tattoo uses require a commercial zoning variance. This entails petitioning and presenting in front of the Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). With the help of Monroe Law, Houndstooth was able to obtain their variance with unanimous community support in the Spring Arts District.
Securing a site pre-pandemic, and beginning construction during the pandemic led to numerous delays, particularly for a business that requires direct one-on-one contact with its clients. Despite these obstacles, the team designed a space that matched their vision while simultaneously being ahead of the curve in terms of client safety. Houndstooth has been open for business as of January 2021 and is thriving at 1022 Buttonwood Street. Book your appointment today through their Instagram @Houndstoothtattoo (although you may have to wait a few months given their highly sought-after artists)!
