Welcome to Fairmount / Art Museum
Named after the hill on which the Philadelphia Museum of Art sits (along with its oh so famous Rocky workout stairs), the Fairmount area formed a key part of the city’s early development. Some of this history can still be visited today, like the Fairmount Water Works – an unparalleled feat of engineering at the time – and today a perfect spot for dining or hosting events at its famous restaurant, or even just a scenic spot to take a much-needed breather during jogs along the Schuylkill River Trail. There’s also the Eastern State Penitentiary, considered a model for reformatory institutions when it first opened in 1829. Now it plays host to visitor tours, art exhibitions, and haunted attractions each Halloween.
Today, Fairmount is still an integral part of the community as a whole: it’s the heart of Philadelphia’s thriving arts scene. Many of the city’s major museums are located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that cuts through the neighborhood. Along with the art museum, there’s the Barnes Foundation, home to an incredible array of Renoirs, Picassos, and other masters; and the Rodin Museum, with a beautiful garden open to the public year-round. And if art isn’t your thing, there’s always the Franklin Institute, the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for other options to expand your mind.
When it comes down to it, living in Fairmount also allows for its fair share of low-key fun. Some of the best bars and restaurants in the city can be found here, while Fairmount Park and Boathouse Row offer opportunities to get active amid nature’s best without leaving city limits. In short, a life in Fairmount is a perfect blend of the cosmopolitan in a down-to-earth neighborhood.
Life in Fairmount:
Schools:
Fairmount falls in the Bache/Martin Catchment Area.
Grades K-8:
Bache-Martin Elementary School
2201 Brown Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-7550
thepowerofbachemartin.com
Laura W. Waring School
1801 Green Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-684-5073
waring.philasd.org
St. Francis Xavier School
641 N. 24th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-763-6564
sfxschool.com
Albert M. Greenfield School
2200 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-400-7810
Grades 5-12:
Julia R. Masterman School
1600 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-7580
masterman.philasd.org
Grades 9-12:
Benjamin Franklin High School
550 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-7600
philasd.org/bfhs
Roman Catholic High School
301 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-1270
romancatholichs.com
John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School
311 N. 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-563-8930
jwhallahan.com
Dining and Nightlife:
The Bishop’s Collar
2349 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
thecollar.us
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
londongrill.com
Sabrina’s Cafe
1804 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
sabrinascafe.com
Umai Umai
533 N. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
umai-umai.com
Kite and Key
1836 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
kiteandkey.com
Green Room
1940 Green Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
greenroomphiladelphia.com
Jack’s Firehouse
2130 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
jacksfirehouse.com
Shopping:
The Book Corner
311 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Fairmount Bicycles
2819 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
fairmountbicycles.com
Fairmount Pet Shoppe
2024 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
fairmountpetshoppe.com
Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles
832 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
uhurufurniturephilly.blogspot.com
Target (yes, Fairmount has one!)
2001 Pennsylvania Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Fairmount also falls within walking distance of The Shops at Liberty Place and Nordstrom Rack.
Transportation:
The Fairmount area is serviced by a number of bus lines, a trolley line, and the Broad Street Line. The Route 15 Trolley runs along Girard Avenue stopping at most corners between Broad Street and Fairmount Park. The Broad Street Line runs along Broad Street with stops at Spring Garden Street, Fairmount Avenue and Girard Avenue. For Bus service between Fairmount Park and 21st Street, hop Routes 7, 32 or 48. For service between 21st Street and Broad Street. hop Routes 2 or 33. Route 38 stops at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Source: iseptaphilly.com
Real Estate Stats:
As of January 2018, the Fairmount neighborhood has seen 341 units sold, with an average list price of $487, 066, and an average sales price of $454,561. Average days on the market: 48.