Around the Block: 1/17/25

MLK, Witty takes, can’t-miss Philly updates, insider info, and curated listings – by Jeff “City” Block.

 

Blog Copy of JCB 1/17/25 | ATB

1/17/25

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff "City" Block

MLK

Hello Readers,

 

This week, we celebrate the birthday (1/15/1929), life, and unfathomable service of one of the greatest Americans in our nation’s quarter-millennium history-- the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.

 

As a child, I vividly remember how the words of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech struck me as obvious. Self-evident. These words, so clear, so powerful, so incontrovertibly correct. Hearing these words not much more than a decade after King delivered them at the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963 just blew me away. These are the exact words I best remember from all those decades ago…


I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.



These words sent a chill through my body when I first heard them and still do as I sit here and write this today.  I read or listen to this speech every year at this time, and below I have included a brief excerpt that encompasses the paragraph cited above. The brilliance of this entire speech is beyond words. The timelessness is uncanny.



Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.



You can both read and listen to the entire speech here. And I highly recommend a listen.

Sunday at 3 p.m., I will be at Lincoln Financial Field to watch the Eagles play the Rams (GO BIRDS!!!). Then, on Monday morning, I will be joining my family at my son’s high school for a morning of service in honor of the man who had a dream at the Lincoln Memorial six decades ago. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

Bella Vista - BRAND NEW LISTING!

644 Carpenter Street

3 BD 2.5 BA 1,842 SF $595,000

Updated three-bed, two-and-a-half bath residence located on a quiet Bella Vista block. Open living concept with 9 ft ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, and two private outdoor spaces.


Ideal first floor with living/dining area, stunning kitchen with stainless steel appliances, breakfast bar with granite countertops, soft close grey shaker cabinets, and a deck perfect for grilling just off the kitchen. The finished lower level is a bonus space that could be used as a playroom, office, den, or in-home gym. A half bath and laundry room are also located on this floor. The second floor features two bedrooms and a hall bathroom with shower/tub combination. The primary suite encompasses the entire third floor. A fantastic space with vaulted ceilings, ample closet space (four), a full bath with a glass shower stall, and a private south-facing terrace.


This home also has a Nest Learning Thermostat and a new roof installed in 2024 with a 10-year warranty.


A short walk to Fiorella Pasta, Shot Tower Coffee, Isgro Pastries, South Philly Barbacoa, The Italian Market, Weccacoe Playground, Angelo's Pizzeria, and so many more restaurants, retail, and cafes. Quick and easy access to I-95 and numerous public transit options.

Featured Listings

University City - PENDING

4535 Osage Avenue

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 2928 SF | $875,000

Rittenhouse Square - PENDING

1515 Locust Street # 301

2 BD | 2.5 BA | 1855 SF | $695,000

Bella Vista - BRAND NEW LISTING

644 Carpenter Street

3 BD 2.5 BA 1842 SF $595,000

Germantown

54 E Penn Street

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2452 SF | $545,000

Rittenhouse Square - Pending

2042 Rittenhouse Square

Triplex | 2625 SF | $950,000

Roxborough - NEW PRICE

371 Delmar Street #B

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2658 SF | $585,000

Center City West

1811 Chestnut Street #501

2 BD | 2.5 BA | 1337 SF | $525,000

University City

5040 Larchwood Avenue

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1700 SF | $525,000

Germantown

48 E Penn Street

2 BD | 2.5 BA | 1982 SF | $425,000

Graduate Hospital

1704 Webster Street

2 BD | 1 BA | 874 SF | $389,000

Cobbs Creek

6200 Ellsworth Street

Triplex | 3015 SF | $495,000

Fox Chase - BRAND NEW LISTING

709 Chandler Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1600 SF | $445,000

Cobbs Creek - new price

5759 Catharine Street

3 BD | 1.5 BA | 1122 SF | $200,000

Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

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.

Office: 646-982-0353
Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via visitphilly.com and Canva.

Moving? Discover the value of your home.