Neighborhood Focus
To help you decide the right neighborhood for you, we feature a Philadelphia-area neighbhorhood each month in our newsletter.
Update: Southwest Center City/Graduate Hospital
December 7th, 2010
Given all the ongoing development and project completion in the Southwest Center City/Graduate Hospital neighborhood, we wanted to end the year on a high note with an update from this neighborhood. The most notable achievement for this neighborhood this year was the early November re-opening of the South Street Bridge, popular and convenient for neighborhood residents to cross who are working and studying in University City. Opening after being closed for about two years, the bridge re-opened on time, a bit early, actually, and under budget. Click here to see video of the opening from Action News 6ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=7769483. The bridge is fully functional now and will be finalized with decorative items by June of 2011. The ease of access from 76 and University City to the neighborhood encourages more economic development and exchange along the major business strip of South Street. To coincide with the opening of the bridge, the South Street West Business Association (SSWBA) achieved a campaign of adding banners highlighting area businesses all along South Street. You'll see the banner for Kristin Daly at Keller Williams Realty at 20th and South! Very exciting for residents, business owners and guests!
In addition to the re-opening of the South Street Bridge, there are many other important projects moving forward in the area. One of the more interesting is a plan for development of a vacant, triangular property at 23rd and Bainbridge, just North of Naval Sq, the Toll Brothers Development. Local architectural firm, Campbell Thomas & Co., has worked with the developer to design a project offering 24 units with underground parking. Another win for this emerging neighborhood!
Northern Liberties
August 25, 2010
Just Northeast of Center City and the downtown area, Northern Liberties has become one of the hottest Philadelphia neighborhoods in town. It has emerged on the scene through careful development shaped by dedicated, conscientious developers and strong community involvement. Unique elements and additions, including the 2nd Street commercial corridor, which is full of restaurants, bars, and shops, make Northern Liberties one of the most walkable neighborhoods around. The recent additon of The Piazza, a huge gathering area surrounded by hundreds of apartments, hosts dining, festivals, live music, and boasts a large flat screen TV which shows Phillies games and other shows of interest, like the recent World Cup series! With plenty of parking, thanks to the developer offering of a large parking lot adjacent to The Piazza, and plans for more development, including a large shopping/grocery center off of Girard Avenue, Northern Liberties offers residents an exciting and comfortable quality of life. Recent comparable sales include a $35,000 bank-owned, studio condo on the low end, and on the high end, a $1M, 3 bed/3 bath +1 car parking condo at Waterfront Square, the new development along the Delaware River! Being just minutes from Columbus Blvd., Center City, Old City and South Philly makes this place ideal for your next home. Visit www.northernliberties.org or contact Kristin Daly for more information.
Art Museum
July 29, 2010
Residents of the popular Art Museum neighborhood choose to live in this neighborhood because of its relaxed atmosphere, amenities, proximity to the Parkway Museum District (http://www.parkwaymuseumsdistrictphiladelphia.org/), the events and parades, and the active Schuylkill River path, especially along Boathouse Row. The hot restaurant and cafe scene makes the Art Museum adds to the streetscape and walkability of the neighborhood. Some local favorites include L'oca Italian Bistro (http://locabistro.com/), Mugshots Cafe (http://www.mugshotscoffeehouse.com/), Kite and Key (http://www.thekiteandkey.com/), and of course, Rose Tattoo (http://www.rosetattoocafe.com/homepage.html), among many others!
The neighborhood is convenient for those who work in Center City, being just a short walk to the North of Market, JFK, and Arch. Conveninet amenities, including the Philadelphia Sports Club gym and Whole Foods Market, exist in a central location. Also, homeowners enjoy more value in this neighborhood, as home prices drop slightly from the premium paid in neighborhoods adjacent to Center City, including Logan Sq and Rittenhouse Sq. From studios or 1 bedroom condos in the low $200K, to new construction townhomes with 2 car parking for $700K and up, there is something for everyone in the Art Museum!
Rittenhouse Square
June 25, 2010
This dynamic, fast-paced neighborhood is home to amazing restaurants, stores, boutiques, clubs, bars, and pubs, and of course, the green space and eclectic mix at Rittenhouse Square Park. Considered the premier shopping district in Philadelphia, you can find just about everything you've been wanting to buy along Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square. Home, also, to large single family homes, 3-4 stories, many apartment buildings, and historic and new, highrise condo buildings, as well as low-rise condo conversions, Rittenhouse Square offers something for everyone. The successful non-profit organization, Rittenhouse Row, promotes access and exchange to all business, social, and personal interests in Rittenhouse. Learn more about upcoming events here: www.rittenhouserow.org.
Fitler Square
May 28, 2010
Filled with long term residents, Fitler Square has become a desirable Center City neighborhood. Quiet streets, green space and parks, and plenty of delicious restaurants make it a peaceful place to return home to just outside of the hustle and bustle of Center City. Property types include trinities, single family homes, some homes with parking, and a few condo conversion properties. Find out more about Fitler Sq here: http://www.fitlersquare.org/. Definitely a neighborhood to review with Kristin Daly and her team!
Graduate Hospital Area
April 27, 2010One of Philadelphia's hottest neighborhood's, as seen in a recent Philly Magazine article, the Graduate Hospital area was originally named for the Graduate Hospital, an institution located at 18th and South. As the neighborhood expanded South, and as the Graduate Hospital was acquired by PENN and Good Shepard to create the PENN Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, the neighborhood name started to lose significance and other neighborhood names were created through expansion and the additional of residents.
Now known by most as Southwest Center City (SWCC), the Graduate Hospital area is still used, along with Naval Sq, toward the West, and Marian Anderson Heritage Villiage in a more Central area. The diverse and eclectic resident population consists of older residents who have passed their properties down throuogh many generations to new residents who have moved here from other citiies or the suburbs for work or school. The proximity to CHOP, PENN, Drexel, Jefferson, Temple, among other institutions make this neighborhood attractive to faculty, staff, and students.Offering green space at newly formed parks and soon to offer an entrance at the South St bridge to the popular river trail, the neighborhood also offers plenty of nightlife along South Street West and throughout the neighborhood, SWCC has plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. Enjoy all the ammenties of Center City living in this hot neighborhood!