Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
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Huge School Catchment News
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Last week I discussed the 2021 Philly real estate sales data and said I would go into more detail this week. Let’s push that discussion to next week because a huge story came out this week that got minimal press.
Most Philly residents understand the importance of a public school catchment. Even if you don’t have school-age kids it can significantly affect property values.
There are the most renowned catchments; you know the ones that are always filled to capacity and sometimes have waitlists and lotteries. The Penn Alexander School is the OG, where some parents notoriously set up actual camping sites over the freezing MLK Birthday weekend to claim a place at the front of the outdoor kindergarten registration line (this incident propelled the start of the lottery and the end of “first come, first serve”). Meredith, Greenfield, and McCall in Center City are other extremely popular catchments. There are others as well, including Bache-Martin, Chester Arthur, Fanny Jackson Coppin (f/k/a Andrew Jackson), Henry, Nebinger, and others (and I apologize in advance if I did not mention a specific school. I just named a few. There are many more). All of these schools have varying degrees of upward effect on property values, and some buyers look closely at the catchment boundaries when deciding on and valuing a home.
Now PAS is the only catchment significantly funded in part by Penn, or should I say it was the only one. As reported this week by Kristen A Graham in the Inquirer, “The University of Pennsylvania is poised to change the fortunes of another West Philadelphia public school, pouring nearly $1 million annually for five years into Lea Elementary.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, January 17, 2022). This is big news.
Penn Alexander, its capacity issues, lottery, and its effects on the neighborhood and property values have been discussed extensively in the local press, social media, and community groups for many years. Its effect on Spruce Hill, parts of Garden Court, and surrounding neighborhoods have been dramatic, to say the least. In fact, the Henry C. Lea Elementary School at 47th and Locust and home values within its catchment borders have been beneficiaries of PAS’s popularity. This is a common phenomenon, where an ultra-popular catchment increases the popularity of neighboring schools just outside that catchment. (For other examples, see Nebinger and Coppin (both adjacent to Meredith) and Arthur (Greenfield).) As neighborhoods become more popular, the catchment schools become more desirable, and the Home School Associations become stronger and further improve the schools. This makes the neighborhood more desirable and so on. As the neighborhood becomes more expensive, some buyers move to adjacent neighborhoods and the cycle continues.
Now back to what this news means for Lea Elementary. As I mentioned above, Lea is already an improved and desirable school. When I list homes in the Lea Catchment, I always mention the Lea School in my marketing materials. I have done so for years. But this new partnership with Penn is significant, and it should further increase property values within the Lea Catchment. Cedar Park, Garden Court, and Walnut Hill, the three primary neighborhoods within the Lea Catchment, have been appreciating in value for decades. University City has long been one of Philly’s most desirable areas. But this Penn-Lea partnership will likely accelerate this appreciation specifically within the catchment boundaries.
By the way, the Lea Catchment boundaries are Sansom Street to the north, 46th on the east from Sansom to Pine, then up Pine to 47th on the east from Pine to Baltimore. Baltimore Avenue on the south to 49th, then 49th on the west from Baltimore to Larchwood Avenue, and then up Larchwood to 50th, and the 50th Street on the west back to Sansom.
I love talking Philly schools and school catchments, and I know the private schools as well. Please reach out with any school or other real estate related questions.
Have a great weekend and back to the overall Philly real estate value breakdown next week.
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*All Open House attendees, including the hosting agent, are required to wear facemasks and to register (contactless registration) prior to entering.
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722 S Bancroft Street
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
249 S 45th Street
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11:30 am – 1:00 pm
56-64 W Queen Lane
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4514 Regent Street
Brand New Listing
4 BD + Office | 3.5 BA | 2,400 SF | Superb Layout | Front Porch | Rear Yard | $700,000
On one of University City’s most desirable tree-lined blocks, enjoy this beautiful, complete renovation of a spacious, light-filled 4 bedroom plus office, 3.5 bath home with comfortable front porch and a nice-sized rear yard.
The 4500 block of Regent Street is a one-block long street immediately adjacent to Clark Park! The home offers gorgeous kitchen and baths, hardwood floors throughout, high ceilings, moldings and character. Brilliant 2nd floor main suite. Significant storage space throughout.
Just wonderful space, a superb layout, and spectacular light throughout. A+ location on of University City’s best blocks. This Squirrel Hill home is less than one block to Clark Park and its phenomenal Farmers Market, and less than two blocks from Baltimore Avenue’s restaurant Row and shopping. Easy walk Penn, USciences, HUP, and CHOP, and to multiple SEPTA Green Line stops to all hospitals, universities, 30th Street, and Center City. 10 minute drive to Center City and less than 5 minutes to 76.
NOTES: All Systems are new including roofs, 2-zone HVAC, plumbing, and electric. Home in pristine condition.
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Concerts and Live Entertainment
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Head to the Arden Theatre to see the iconic Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire.
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Throughout this winter in venues across Philly is an awesome new concert experience. The Candlelight Concert series will feature a wide variety of themed concerts including tributes to Coldplay, Taylor Swift, classic rock music, and much more. At these unique concerts, the venues will be illuminated with flameless candles, creating a serene and unforgettable experience.
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The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Whitney Museum of American Art collaborated to create simultaneous exhibitions of Jasper John’s work
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Jasper John is considered to be one of the country’s most significant living artists. The exhibit called “Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror” runs through February 13th and features paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and books in a chronological order that mirrors the other museum’s display.
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At the Fashion District in Philly is the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel global exhibit which is similar to the ongoing Van Gogh Experience. This unique exhibit will use special technology to recreate the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel. Also included will be signage and optional audio tours.
- Head to the Galleries at Moore for Black Holes & Rabbit Holes, a 7,000-square-foot exhibit that showcases the work of multidisciplinary artist Tristin Lowe. At the exhibit, visitors can see everyday objects that have been transformed into unique creations: for example, a Volkswagen station wagon that’s been suspended from the ceiling.
Photograph and content courtesy of uwishunu.
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105 S 12th Street #304-305
BRAND NEW LISTING
3 Bed | 3 Bath
$1,225,000
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Mount Airy
New Construction
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722 S Bancroft Street
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$770,000
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4514 Regent Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 Bed | 3.5 Bath
$700,000
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6 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$650,000
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56 W Queen Lane
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$625,000
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249 S 45th Street
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY
5 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$595,000
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64 W Queen Lane
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY
2 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$450,000
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250 S 13th Street, Unit 8F
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As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.
Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.
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Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, Friends of Wissahickon, and Canva.
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