Welcome to Center City
If you live in Center City, you live in what was originally the entirety of the City of Philadelphia. It wasn’t until 1854 that the city boundaries expanded to include the rest of the county.
Center City Philadelphia is more than just your typical downtown, of course. Yes, it’s a hub for business, government, and retail. But it’s also oh so much more.
As with every neighborhood in Philadelphia, there’s a distinct character here, as unique from one neighborhood to another as one city is from another.
There’s the grid system for starters – relic of the days of William Penn. Penn loved his green spaces, and made sure that his logical system of streets also called for five public squares. These resting spots would serve as a haven for nature and for Philly inhabitants, and they still do so today. Rittenhouse Square serves as the chic centre for a number of fine dining establishments and swanky hotels. Franklin Square is a wonderland straight out a child’s storybook, complete with carousel, holiday light shows and even a Philadelphia-themed miniature golf course. Each of the five squares holds its own charm and its own entertainment to offer.
Then there’s City Hall, capped by a statue of the man himself, William Penn. It’s the second-tallest masonry building in the world. You can take tours of the historic building, but you can also enjoy the public square that surrounds it, Dilworth Park, for its fountains and regular events (definitely don’t miss the Wintergarden around the holiday season!)
It even has its own beach (of sorts). Spruce Street Harbor Park, along the Delaware River Waterfront, is a leisure spot for all seasons, but especially the summer season. Boardwalk-style foods and beers are served from shipping crates along the urban boardwalk, while sand, beach chairs, and hammocks confront visitors with a choice array of lounging spots.
In short, Philadelphia’s Center City is the perfect balance of business and leisure.
Life in Center City:
Schools:
Grades K-8:
Albert M. Greenfield School
2200 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-400-7810
albertmgreenfieldschool.org
Gen. George A. McCall School
325 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-400-7840
mccall.philasd.org
Independence Charter School
1800 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-238-8000
independencecharter.org
St. Peter’s School
319 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-925-3963
st-peters-school.org
Edwin M. Stanton School
901 S. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-400-7960
emstanton.philasd.org
St. Mary Interparochial School
5th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
saintmarys.us
The Philadelphia School
2501 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-545-5323
tpschool.org
Grades K-6:
Russell Byers Charter School
1911 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-972-1700
byerschool.org
Grades K-12:
The City School
**multiple locations
cityschool.org
Charter High School for Architecture and Design
107 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-351-2900
chadphila.org
Friends Select School
17th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-561-5900
friends-select.org
Grades 9-12:
Constitution High School
18 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-400-7850
constitutionhs.philasd.org
Roman Catholic High School
301 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-1270
romancatholichs.com
Philadelphia Free School
2001 Christian Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-218-9586
phillyfreeschool.org
Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter High School
1420-22 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
petchs.org
John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School
311 N. 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-563-8930
jwhallahan.com
Dining and Nightlife:
Oyster House
1516 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
oysterhousephilly.com
Rooster Soup Company
1526 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
roostersoupcompany.com
Russet
1521 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
russetphilly.com
Abe Fisher
1623 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
abefisherphilly.com
Double Knot
120 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
doubleknotphilly.com
Ashton Cigar Bar
1522 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
ashtoncigarbar.com
Shopping:
The Shops at Liberty Place
1625 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
shopsatliberty.com
Free People
1625 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
freepeople.com
Lululemon
1720 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
shop.lululemon.com
Joan Shepp
1811 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
joanshepp.com
Joseph Fox Bookshop
1724 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
foxbookshop.com
Nicole Miller
200 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
nicolemillerphiladelphia.com
NINObrand
333 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
ninobrand.com
Nordstrom Rack
1700 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
nordstromrack.com
Uniqlo
1608 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
uniqlo.com
Reading Terminal Market
51 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
readingterminalmarket.org
Transportation:
The Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Trolley Routes, all Regional Rail Lines, and various Bus Routes all service Center City, Plan your trip here.
Source: iseptaphilly.com
Real Estate Stats:
As of January 2018, the Center City area has seen 1997 units sold, with an average list price of $569,411, and an average sales price of $502,671. Average days on the market: 56.