LOVE Park’s ‘Flying Saucer’ Gets New Life With Year-Round Concept

Its transformation begins with a seasonal beer garden ahead of a cafe and restaurant set to open in 2027.

Courtney McGinley Regional Reporter
The exterior of the "flying saucer" building at Philadelphia's LOVE Park. (Image credit: Google Earth Pro)

The building known as the “flying saucer” in Philadelphia’s iconic LOVE Park will soon have new life after sitting vacant for years.

LOVE Park, officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, has been home to Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture since 1976.

The first phase of the project kicks off Saturday, coinciding with America’s 250th birthday celebrations. Broad Street Brewing will open the Broad Street Beer Garden at LOVE Park, with outdoor seating surrounding the pavilion while renovations continue inside the building, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The beer garden is expected to operate through the fall, serving beer alongside grab-and-go fare, including smash burgers.

Broad Street Brewing crafts beers inspired by Philadelphia’s history and culture, sourcing premium hops, malt, yeast and water from trusted suppliers while blending traditional and modern brewing methods.

High Street Hospitality Group, led by Ellen Yin, and Rival Bros. Coffee is also partnering on the project.

Plans call for a year-round cafe, restaurant and coffee bar inside the building. The hospitality group will lead the food program, while Rival Bros. Coffee, known for its custom house-roasted blends and seasonal single-origin coffees, will anchor the cafe.

High Street emphasizes local sourcing and fresh, high-quality ingredients, an approach the group plans to bring to the new concept. The restaurant will join Yin’s Philadelphia portfolio, which includes Fork, High Street, a.kitchen, a.bar and The Bread Room.

The concept’s name has not yet been announced, but the space is targeting an early 2027 opening.

What Now Philadelphia reached out to those involved in the project. This article may be updated.

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Regional Reporter
Courtney McGinley is a Regional Reporter based in Philadelphia, PA. A graduate of Penn State University's Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, she has been working as a journalist since earning her degree. Before joining What Now Media Group, Courtney was a Live News Fellow at Newsweek, where she gained experience in writing, breaking news reporting, interviewing, and editing. She was also nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants, coffee shops, and cocktail bars.
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