Saturday, February 14, 2004
Living in Center City Philadelphia
Locals call Philadelphia’s downtown “Center City”.
Center City Philadelphia is home to about 80,000 residents, the third largest downtown population in the United States after New York and Chicago.
Within Center City Philadelphia there is a wide range of real estate and housing options from modern apartments, to historic townhouses, to converted lofts—all near great parks and extraordinary recreational opportunities.
30% of Center City residents are between the ages of 25 and 34. 79% of these young professionals have college degrees.
Center City Philadelphia was recently named one of the ten-most walk-able cities in the nation by Prevention Magazine. According to the Center City District, a staggering 37 percent of Philadelphia’s Center City’s residents walk to work.
Generally, Center City Philadelphia is defined as stretching from the Schuylkill River (west) to the Delaware River (east), to South Street (south) to Vine Street (north).
Neighborhoods in Center City include Fitler Square, Logan Square, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Old City, Washington Square, Chinatown, and Penn’s Landing.
The Art Museum area, Fairmont, Queen Village, Bella Vista, Northern Liberties, the Italian Market area, and University City are located just outside the traditional Center City Philadelphia boundaries but can also be considered located in the Center City/Downtown area.
Here is a description of several of Philadelphia’s most well known real estate areas:
Historic and Waterfront District
The city's historic and waterfront park begins on 6th Street, just four blocks east of the Convention Center, and continues to Penn's Landing on the banks of the Delaware River. The site of Philadelphia's earliest settlements, the neighborhood is full of 18th-century influence including Colonial-era homes and cobblestone streets. In addition to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park - America's most historic square mile - is home to numerous historical buildings and sites, most of which are free to the public.
Old City
Your exploration of America's heritage continues north of Market Street in the city's first commercial district. In addition to Betsy Ross's home and Elfreth's Alley - America's oldest continuously residential street - Old City is known for the most exciting collection of art galleries on the East Coast.
Society Hill
A prominent Delaware River waterfront neighborhood steeped in America's history, Society Hill is an upscale prototype for urban restoration. Enjoy the architectural styles of hundreds of historically significant townhouses and places of worship.
South Street
The "hippest street in Philadelphia," South Street is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants and dynamic nightlife. There's no better place to people-watch on a Friday or Saturday night.
Washington Square
Washington Square Centered around one of the public squares planned by William Penn, this area of the city connects the historic and commercial districts. Walking through the quaint neighborhoods you will discover Jewelers Row and Antique Row, two of the city's specialty shopping areas, as well as the Walnut Street and Forrest theaters.
Convention Center
Opened in 1993, the state-of-the-art Pennsylvania Convention Center contains more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space and is one of the finest facilities in the country. The Center is connected to the historic Reading Terminal Market, an open-air smorgasbord of 80 eateries and merchants.
Chinatown
The "Chinese Friendship Gate" at 10th and Arch Streets welcomes you to this bustling community that has established itself as a center for fine art, culture, and the very best in Asian culinary delights for more than a century.
Parkway/Museum District
Stretching from City Hall to The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is flanked by some of the city's most acclaimed institutions. The Parkway is also the location of numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including Fourth of July fireworks. Logan Circle, one of the public "squares" in the city's original design, is home to the magnificent Swann Fountain.
Fairmount Park
Beginning at the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park encompasses more than 8,900 acres of winding creeks, rustic trails, green meadows and 100 miles of recreational trails. The world's largest landscaped urban park also contains early-American mansions, historic landmarks, and a variety of outdoor sculpture, playing fields, and 19th-century Victorian structures along Boathouse Row.
Rittenhouse Square District
One of the most prestigious addresses in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square is famous for it's world-class shopping and restaurants. Part of William Penn's original city plan, this beautiful public square is a popular destination for Center City residents and visitors alike.
Manayunk
Nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River just west of Center City, Manayunk is one of the newest hot spots in the area. Named a National Historic District in 1983, "Philadelphia's Main Street" boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries and dozens of restaurants.
Chestnut Hill
Cobblestoned Germantown Avenue is surrounded by art galleries, restaurants and specialty and antiques shops, located on the city's northwest boundary.
University City District
University City was Philadelphia’s first suburb, and it remains home to distinctive, livable urban neighborhoods of wide porches, tree-lined streets, restaurants, and shops. World-renowned centers of education, medicine, and technology and residents of diverse backgrounds lend University City its intellectual and international flavor. The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University are both located here.
South Philadelphia
This mix of long-established residential ethnic neighborhoods, provides a tapestry of sights, sounds and tastes to explore. In addition to being home of the city's expansive professional Philadelphia Sports Stadiums home of the (Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers), South Philadelphia is probably best known for the open-air Italian Market, outstanding Italian restaurants, and the home of the cheesesteak.
The Avenue of the Arts
Encompassing North and South Broad Street, The Avenue of the Arts is one of the premier cultural destinations in the city and the region and home to the Academy of Music, the Merriam Theater, Wilma Theater, Freedom Theatre and the dazzling Regional Performing Arts Center to be completed in 2001.
North Philadelphia
Home to numerous educational, cultural and community organizations, North Philadelphia is perhaps best known as the location of Temple University and the Uptown Cultural District.
El Centro de Oro
In this vibrant heart of Philadelphia's Latino community you will find music, shopping and dining, as well as extensive bilingual services.
Note: Real estate data and area descriptions prepared by the Center City District.
Center City Philadelphia is home to about 80,000 residents, the third largest downtown population in the United States after New York and Chicago.
Within Center City Philadelphia there is a wide range of real estate and housing options from modern apartments, to historic townhouses, to converted lofts—all near great parks and extraordinary recreational opportunities.
30% of Center City residents are between the ages of 25 and 34. 79% of these young professionals have college degrees.
Center City Philadelphia was recently named one of the ten-most walk-able cities in the nation by Prevention Magazine. According to the Center City District, a staggering 37 percent of Philadelphia’s Center City’s residents walk to work.
Generally, Center City Philadelphia is defined as stretching from the Schuylkill River (west) to the Delaware River (east), to South Street (south) to Vine Street (north).
Neighborhoods in Center City include Fitler Square, Logan Square, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Old City, Washington Square, Chinatown, and Penn’s Landing.
The Art Museum area, Fairmont, Queen Village, Bella Vista, Northern Liberties, the Italian Market area, and University City are located just outside the traditional Center City Philadelphia boundaries but can also be considered located in the Center City/Downtown area.
Here is a description of several of Philadelphia’s most well known real estate areas:
Historic and Waterfront District
The city's historic and waterfront park begins on 6th Street, just four blocks east of the Convention Center, and continues to Penn's Landing on the banks of the Delaware River. The site of Philadelphia's earliest settlements, the neighborhood is full of 18th-century influence including Colonial-era homes and cobblestone streets. In addition to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park - America's most historic square mile - is home to numerous historical buildings and sites, most of which are free to the public.
Old City
Your exploration of America's heritage continues north of Market Street in the city's first commercial district. In addition to Betsy Ross's home and Elfreth's Alley - America's oldest continuously residential street - Old City is known for the most exciting collection of art galleries on the East Coast.
Society Hill
A prominent Delaware River waterfront neighborhood steeped in America's history, Society Hill is an upscale prototype for urban restoration. Enjoy the architectural styles of hundreds of historically significant townhouses and places of worship.
South Street
The "hippest street in Philadelphia," South Street is famous for its eclectic shops, diverse restaurants and dynamic nightlife. There's no better place to people-watch on a Friday or Saturday night.
Washington Square
Washington Square Centered around one of the public squares planned by William Penn, this area of the city connects the historic and commercial districts. Walking through the quaint neighborhoods you will discover Jewelers Row and Antique Row, two of the city's specialty shopping areas, as well as the Walnut Street and Forrest theaters.
Convention Center
Opened in 1993, the state-of-the-art Pennsylvania Convention Center contains more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space and is one of the finest facilities in the country. The Center is connected to the historic Reading Terminal Market, an open-air smorgasbord of 80 eateries and merchants.
Chinatown
The "Chinese Friendship Gate" at 10th and Arch Streets welcomes you to this bustling community that has established itself as a center for fine art, culture, and the very best in Asian culinary delights for more than a century.
Parkway/Museum District
Stretching from City Hall to The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is flanked by some of the city's most acclaimed institutions. The Parkway is also the location of numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including Fourth of July fireworks. Logan Circle, one of the public "squares" in the city's original design, is home to the magnificent Swann Fountain.
Fairmount Park
Beginning at the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park encompasses more than 8,900 acres of winding creeks, rustic trails, green meadows and 100 miles of recreational trails. The world's largest landscaped urban park also contains early-American mansions, historic landmarks, and a variety of outdoor sculpture, playing fields, and 19th-century Victorian structures along Boathouse Row.
Rittenhouse Square District
One of the most prestigious addresses in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square is famous for it's world-class shopping and restaurants. Part of William Penn's original city plan, this beautiful public square is a popular destination for Center City residents and visitors alike.
Manayunk
Nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill River just west of Center City, Manayunk is one of the newest hot spots in the area. Named a National Historic District in 1983, "Philadelphia's Main Street" boasts more than 65 chic boutiques and galleries and dozens of restaurants.
Chestnut Hill
Cobblestoned Germantown Avenue is surrounded by art galleries, restaurants and specialty and antiques shops, located on the city's northwest boundary.
University City District
University City was Philadelphia’s first suburb, and it remains home to distinctive, livable urban neighborhoods of wide porches, tree-lined streets, restaurants, and shops. World-renowned centers of education, medicine, and technology and residents of diverse backgrounds lend University City its intellectual and international flavor. The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University are both located here.
South Philadelphia
This mix of long-established residential ethnic neighborhoods, provides a tapestry of sights, sounds and tastes to explore. In addition to being home of the city's expansive professional Philadelphia Sports Stadiums home of the (Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers), South Philadelphia is probably best known for the open-air Italian Market, outstanding Italian restaurants, and the home of the cheesesteak.
The Avenue of the Arts
Encompassing North and South Broad Street, The Avenue of the Arts is one of the premier cultural destinations in the city and the region and home to the Academy of Music, the Merriam Theater, Wilma Theater, Freedom Theatre and the dazzling Regional Performing Arts Center to be completed in 2001.
North Philadelphia
Home to numerous educational, cultural and community organizations, North Philadelphia is perhaps best known as the location of Temple University and the Uptown Cultural District.
El Centro de Oro
In this vibrant heart of Philadelphia's Latino community you will find music, shopping and dining, as well as extensive bilingual services.
Note: Real estate data and area descriptions prepared by the Center City District.
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