Frankie's Summer Club a secret, shady popup off Avenue of the Arts

AVENUE OF THE ARTS (WPVI) -- Frankie's Summer Club is a beautiful, shady respite tucked behind the iconic University of the Arts' Hamilton Hall on South Broad Street.

This summer, the hidden courtyard is the site of a popup wine garden with drinks, a collection of shareable, picnic-y-style snacks and soft serve ice cream.

Frankie's Summer Club is the creation of Scout, the design firm behind the renowned Bok Building in South Philadelphia. The Bok Building is filled with 200 businesses-artists, makers, and nonprofits. The goal is to create something similar at Hamilton Hall.

Hamilton Hall was built nearly 200 years ago. It became part of University of the Arts in 1893, and when the school closed, last June, Scout bought the property at auction.

The popup is named for Frank Furness, who was the architect of the brick buildings that flank the hidden courtyard behind Hamilton Hall.

Those brick buildings, historically dormitories for students, will soon become affordable housing for artists.

And it's all happening in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts.

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355 South 15th Street (15th & Pine Streets)
Philadelphia, Pa. 19102