Exciting New Indoor Pickleball and Tennis Club Opening in Fishtown, Philadelphia
An indoor pickleball and tennis club will open in spring at 1400 North Howard Street in Fishtown. Court 16, a New York company, will operate this 14,000-square-foot facility. This location is Court 16’s first outside of New York and its fifth overall.
Court 16 targets both adults and children. The club is named after the court where founder Anthony Evrard learned tennis in Brussels. Evrard noted a strong demand for quality indoor tennis in Philadelphia, especially for children.
Court 16 Fishtown will offer four USTA-sanctioned courts in different sizes: 36, 44, 60, and 72 feet. It will hold tennis camps for children aged three and up, ball machine training for adults, and provide lessons. Courts will be available for rental as well.
The club plans to offer weekly lessons and immersive tennis camps during summer and after school. Professional coaches will offer training and lectures.
Family membership will cost $600 per year. Nonmembers can attend tennis camp for $700 per week, with a 16% discount for members. Retail space will be available for tennis equipment.
1400 North Howard Street already houses a gym and daycare. Red Bull also has an office in the building. Asana Partners, the property owner, is in lease negotiations for another large space, leaving only 2,000 square feet available in the 78,000-square-foot building.
What inspired Anthony Evrard to open Court 16 in Fishtown?
Interview with Anthony Evrard, Founder of Court 16: Bringing Indoor Tennis and Pickleball to Fishtown
NewsDirectory3: Good afternoon, Anthony. Excitement is building for the opening of Court 16 in Fishtown. Can you share what makes this location special for you?
Anthony Evrard: Great to be here! Court 16 Fishtown holds a special place for me as it’s inspired by the very court where I learned to play tennis in Brussels. I’ve seen the growing enthusiasm for tennis and pickleball in Philadelphia, especially among families and children. This new facility will help nurture that passion and provide a welcoming environment for both kids and adults.
NewsDirectory3: You’re targeting both adults and children. What specific programs do you plan to offer?
Anthony Evrard: Our program is designed to cater to a variety of age groups and skill levels. We’ll offer four USTA-sanctioned courts, and programs will range from youth camps starting at age three to adult lessons including ball machine training. We’re excited to provide weekly lessons and immersive camps during summer and after school, all led by professional coaches.
NewsDirectory3: What are the membership and camp fee structures like?
Anthony Evrard: Family memberships will be $600 per year, which includes certain benefits like member discounts on camps. Nonmembers can still enroll in our tennis camp for $700 a week, but members will receive a 16% discount. We believe this makes our offerings accessible while still maintaining high-quality programming.
NewsDirectory3: Court 16 will be located within a larger mixed-use building. How does this location benefit your club?
Anthony Evrard: The building at 1400 North Howard Street already has a gym and daycare, making it a hub for families. Our presence adds a sports facility that complements the existing businesses. The entire location is designed to cater to an active lifestyle, which fits our vision perfectly. Asana Partners have done a terrific job repurposing the building without demolishing it, which allows us to preserve the community’s character.
NewsDirectory3: Will there be retail offerings within the club?
Anthony Evrard: Yes, absolutely. We’ll have retail space for tennis equipment, which will make it convenient for members and nonmembers alike. We’re aiming for a complete experience at Court 16, where players can find everything they need under one roof.
NewsDirectory3: With other sports facilities opening nearby, how do you see Court 16 fitting into the Fishtown sports scene?
Anthony Evrard: It’s an exciting time for sports in Fishtown! Facilities like Ballers are raising the bar for what’s possible in the area. Court 16 aims to complement these offerings by focusing specifically on tennis and pickleball, creating a diverse environment for all sports enthusiasts. Together, we can make Fishtown a premier destination for sports and recreation.
NewsDirectory3: Thank you for your insights, Anthony. We look forward to seeing Court 16 thrive in Fishtown!
Anthony Evrard: Thank you! We can’t wait to welcome everyone this spring and become a vibrant part of the community.
Asana Partners focuses on retail expansion in affluent areas and has invested in Center City Philadelphia since 2018, owning multiple buildings there and in Fishtown.
Instead of demolishing the building, Asana repurposed it for commercial use and added retail on the street level.
Jacob Cooper, a partner at MSC, noted the building’s large floor plates are valuable in Fishtown.
Court 16 Fishtown joins other sports venues opening nearby. Good City Studio is launching Ballers, a 45,000-square-foot facility featuring courts, a turf field, a sports bar, and golf simulators along the Delaware River.