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Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
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I hope everything is going great.
This week, I just wanted to catch up on the end of a magical Phillies season.
What an awesome run for the Fightins.
When your team is predicted to win it all or otherwise thought to be a strong championship contender, and they fall short, it is a huge disappointment. For a die-hard fan, it can leave you feeling bitter. This year’s Phillies were not that team. Let me illustrate with an example… about the Eagles. On January 19, 2003, I felt that biting vile. The last Eagles game ever at the Vet; the NFC Championship Game. Eagles vs Tampa Bay Bucs; winner goes to Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego to face the Raiders. Not only were the Birds the top seed, playing the last game ever at hated Veterans Stadium (hated by our opponents, that is), but the dominant story leading up to the game was actually how the Bucs never won in weather colder than 40 °F.
The Vet was known as a miserable stadium for opponents—from the gross visiting locker room; to the hard, sticky non-contact-rip-up-your-knees artificial turf; to the loud, drunken, mean 700-Level fanatics. Needless to say, with a 3 pm start time for the last Birds game ever in this donut-shaped monstrosity, the 67,000 faithful were beyond lit. The beer, hard liquor, and marijuana were clearly free-flowing before and during the game. (Pretty sure there were not too many kids at this game, BTW.) Best of all, it was a perfect 26 °F at game time. Mostly cloudy, and it wasn’t getting any warmer as the late January sun quickly disappeared behind the exterior of this gargantuan concrete structure.
My season tickets at the Vet were in the 700 Level, and while I was neither drunken nor mean, I was just as loud and rabid! The Birds had not been to a Super Bowl in 22 years, and I simply could not have been more excited to attend any sporting event. SUPER BOWL XXXVII HERE WE COME! It was EPIC! The Eagles scored a TD and were up 7-0 less than a minute into the game! The Vet was absolutely frothing… just maniacal.
I will let Wikipedia take it from here… “A game that is now known as Black Sunday in Philadelphia’s sports lore, Tampa Bay won on the road for the first time in playoff history, and in temperatures below 32 °F (0 °C), in the last football game played at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles were heavy favorites at home going into the game. The Eagles had beaten the Buccaneers four consecutive times, in the wild card round the two previous seasons, and also during regular-season games in 2001 and 2002. During the two playoff losses, both at Veterans Stadium, Tampa Bay had failed to score a single touchdown.”
Ok, now back to the point. The way I felt that frigid Sunday night in January 2003 is not how I felt after this Phillies season. The Phillies were a generally solid team who won 87 games during the regular season. They only made the post-season because 2022 is the year that Major League Baseball expanded the playoffs to allow in a third Wild Card team. The Phils were that third team—the sixth seed out of six. In any previous year in baseball history, they would not have even made the playoffs. Their record in September was 11-14. They were not hot. They were not even guaranteed a home game, as the first series was a best of three with all games at the higher-seeded St Louis Cardinals. We were lucky to make the playoffs. Everything after that, once the playoffs started, the Phillies earned!
They swept the Cards, then won three of four against the heavily favored Braves. My family went to game three, which was the first playoff game at Citizens Bank Park since 2011. Phils won 9-1, the Bank was rocking, and Red October was back. As you know, we went on to beat the Braves 3 games to 1 and then beat the Padres 4-1 to win the National League Pennant. In the World Series, we went up 2 games to 1, before losing three straight to the 106-win Houston Astros–a ballclub whose team ERA for the season was 2.90. Their staff gave up less than three earned runs a game! As a point of comparison, the Phils 2022 staff ERA was 3.97, more than a run a game higher. Anyway, the 2022 Astros are a great all-time team and they showed us why. But I don’t care about the Astros.
What the Phillies showed us was a team that stuck together, over-achieved, and gave Philadelphia weeks of festivity and excitement. It was awesome. And don’t underplay the 2022 NL Pennant. You know when I was a little kid in the 1970s before the Phils ever won a World Series, all the grown-ups talked about were the Whiz Kids who won the 1950 NL Pennant before getting swept by the Joe DiMaggio and Whitey Ford-led Yankees in the World Series (and that Yankees team had a regular season winning percentage of .636. The 2022 Astros–.654).
The Phillies won two Pennants over their first 96 years as an organization (1915 and 1950). Then they won in 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, and 2022 (going on to win the Series in 1980 and 2008). So, the Phillies have won eight Pennants since its 1883 inception. I was at the Pennant clinching game against the Braves in 1993. That was amazing, but there is no Pennant I enjoyed more than this one (not including our World Series wins, of course).
Go Phils! On to 2023. Also, the Eagles are 8-0. Go Birds!
I hope you also enjoyed Red October! Have a great weekend.
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Three University City
Spotlight Properties
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3 BD | 1.5 BA | 2,164 SF | Finished Lower Level Space |
Front Yard | Rear Deck | 2-car Parking | $520,000
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The best of all worlds. The substantial century-old character you would expect in a classic Garden Court twin, yet with fully renovated kitchen and baths, central air, new lighting, completely rewired (no knob & tube), new roof and skylights, new storm drain and curb traps, and more.
On a desirable tree-lined University City block in the Lea School Catchment, this sun-filled, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home offers a front yard, rear deck off the kitchen, finished lower level space, and two-car PARKING (Garage and driveaway in front of garage). Original, refinished hardwood floors with inlaid detail and original woodwork throughout.
This warm and wonderful home is a short walk to Clark Park and its fabulous Farmers’ market, Cedar Park, University City Swim Club, ReAnimator Coffee, Knock Box Café, Mariposa Food Co-op, Bookers, Carbon Copy (coming soon), Gold Standard, Vietnam Cafe, Vientiane, Loco Pez, Gojjo, and all of Baltimore Avenue’s Restaurant Row, as well as other restaurants, shops & cafes. Close to HUP, CHOP, Penn, Drexel, St Joe’s UCity, 12 minutes to Center City by car or bike and plenty of convenient SEPTA options.
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Triplex | 3,060 SF | Original Details | Superb Bones |
Rear Yard | Consistently Rented | $555,000
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Large triplex in the heart of Spruce Hill–a prime University City location. With superb bones, this property includes a spacious 1-bedroom unit with a large rear yard, a 1 (or 2) bedroom unit and a 2 (or 3) bedroom unit on the third floor. South facing and filled with beautiful original details, like built-in armoires, original woodwork and mantels, and gorgeous leaded-glass windows.
This property has been consistently rented in its as-is condition, and current owner has let the leases expire to provide new owner with opportunity to renovate and add value. Premiere location for an investment triplex (property is zoned duplex by right with a variance for three units). The property could also be renovated as a two unit with an awesome owner’s unit or even a single family. The property is situated within the Penn Alexander School CATCHMENT. Great for an investor to add value or owner occupant looking to supplement with investment income.
This is an amazing opportunity in the heart of the Spruce Hill neighborhood of University City .
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5 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,710 SF | Amazing Natural Light | Front Porch |
Private Backyard | $699,000
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Lovely 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath renovated home is situated on a quiet, tree-lined street just off Clark Park. Front porch and rear yard with brick pavers and a garden area on one of University City’s most desirable blocks. Penn Alexander Catchment.
With a large window, craftsman-style front door, and transom, the 1st floor is flooded with natural southern light. Cook with ease in the brand-new, eat-in kitchen that includes white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, subway tiled backsplash, Rejuvenation pulls, large island with additional storage space, and pendant lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide great natural light and a view of the backyard. Complete with a large pantry, you’ll never have a lack of storage space.
Located steps from Clark Park, easy walk to UPenn and the hospitals, quick walk to the trolly on Baltimore Ave and 15-minute trip to Center City. Located within the Penn Alexander Catchment.
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Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival
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Food and Drink Happenings
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Check out the newest Michael Schulson restaurant, Pearl & Mary in Midtown Village. This hot new spot is a casual seafood house and oyster bar located at 13th & Sansom Street.
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The iconic food hub, Reading Terminal Market, just opened its new outdoor expansion which is an awesome public space along the 1100 block of Filbert Street. This plaza area features high-top tables, a curbless sidewalk, widened pavement, and new lighting.
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Once again, Craftsman Row Saloon on Jewelers’ Row brings back its incredible Christmas pop-up that features colorful ornaments, thousands of sparkling lights, and glittery garland as well as seasonal drinks and food. Some of the specials include a Christmas Dinner Burger, festive cocktails, and extravagant holiday milkshakes.
Photograph and content courtesy of uwishunu.
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3 BD | 1.5 BA | 2,164 SF | $520,000
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Triplex | 3,060 SF | $555,000
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5 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,710 SF | $699,000
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4 BD | 4 BA | 2,750 SF | $1,250,000
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5 BD | 5 BA | 3,250 SF | $629,900
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6 BD | 4BA | 5,195 SF | $1,150,000
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525 1/2 Spruce Street #10
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2 BD | 2 BA | 1,566 SF | $850,000
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3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000
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3 BD | 3 BA | 2,340 SF | $520,000
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Duplex | 2,025 SF | $479,000
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6 Units | 4,790 SF | $1,200,000
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2 BD | 2 BA | 1,481 SF | $325,000
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Studio | 1 BA | 342 SF | $99,000
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4 BD | 4.5 BA | 2,800 SF | $650,000
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3 BD | 1 BA | 648 SF | $79,900
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Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?
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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, phillyjfm, and Canva.
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Office: 212-913-9058
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.
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