December 4, 2023 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

Philly is Odd, New and Featured Listings.

If you’d like to discuss real estate or anything in this newsletter please send me an email: [email protected].

This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 12/1/23.

12/1/2023

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

Photo courtesy of Philly Voice

Philly is an Odd Place

One of my favorite things about Philly is that it is an odd, quirky place.

A few examples of this are —

1. The Mütter Museum. Perhaps the pinnacle of Philadelphia oddity. Yet, is that coming to an end? The museum has already been toned down to some extent. I mean, what is the Mütter without human remains showing rare conditions? I have no idea, but it will likely be a lot less popular. Some people don’t get the Mütter, but so many love it. I also went to a super-fun wedding there once. A memorable place to tie the knot that is for sure. I mean, you can probably literally find an intestine with a knot tied in it.

Photo Courtesy of Thomas Pluck

2. The whispering walls (as we called it growing up) or the whispering bench, as it seems to be more commonly known now. A monument right by Memorial Hall (i.e., the Please Touch Museum) where two people can sit at opposite ends of a long stone bench and whisper into the bench wall. And they can hear each other clear as day. It is cool.

Photo Courtesy of Secret Philadelphia

3. The “jawn” jawn. I think this jawn speaks for itself. We used the term jawn back in high school in the same way it is used now. Hasn’t changed in at least four decades. Now, that is the jawn.

4. This jawn gives you money. Also known as the MAC machine. Let me be clear: MAC is such a better name than the three-syllable ATM acronym. Money Access Center vs Automated Teller Machine. The choice is obvious. But try asking for a MAC anywhere outside our region. In Philly, everyone knows what you are talking about. At least every Philly native born before 1995 (and my kids).

Photo Courtesy of Quora

5. A city hall with a huge statue of the city’s founder on top. And what is up with the way they positioned Billy Penn’s right hand? No way they did that by accident, right? As a high school student at Friends Select School on the Parkway (the perfect angle), we found that jawn pretty funny. And perhaps I still enjoy the occasional chuckle today (as I am sure they did in the late 19th century). Seriously though, Philadelphia City Hall is an incredible building. Did you know it was the tallest building in the world from 1894 until 1908? And as all Philadelphians know, it remained the tallest building in Philly until 1987. Why? Because of a gentleman’s agreement not to build a tower higher than Billy Penn’s hat. And then, in another Philadelphia oddity, the City sports teams were cursed and did not win a championship until the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. That is 22 years! And that was right after Comcast put a miniature Billy Penn statue at the top of the Comcast Tower so that our city’s founder once again ruled supreme.

What a city!

Photo courtesy of Philly Voice

6. Passyunk. Shackamaxon. Schuylkill. Bala Cynwyd. Bryn Mawr. Whether Lanape, Welsh, or whatever, we have some really great names.

7. I grew up thinking the Mummers Parade was totally normal. Based on what I have been told by every non-native Philadelphian I have met since becoming an adult, my younger self was incorrect. Apparently, not every parade has 40-minute delays between performances, wenches, drunken debauchery, and a lot of other wacky stuff. My opinion? The Mummers Parade is the jawn. Oh, Dem Golden Slippers. The music, the Strut, the tradition. It is Philly awesome. In the same kind of way that our most famous James Beard Award-winning restaurant is an old-school cheesesteak shop with a pig on its sign, right by the train tracks at Snyder and Weccacoe.

Best Parade (video courtesy of Jeff Block, 1/1/23)

Best Cheesesteak

8. And how about a police headquarters shaped like handcuffs? I wrote about the Roundhouse this past April. Only in Philly.

9. There is so much. I could go on and on. I may have a little more next week. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! And if not wonderful, at least an odd one.

Warm Regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

Rittenhouse Square

BRAND NEW LISTING

1522 Locust Street

8700 SF | $2,600,000

An exquisite façade. A premier address. Grace Hall offers the opportunity to fit out 7,200 above ground square feet plus 2,400 of mostly finished lower-level space.

In a perfect Rittenhouse Square location. With CMX4 zoning, so many options, such as: (1) Live-Work space for an end user. Premier office or retail space while fitting out a spacious, luxury residence above. (2) Office or retail space with rental units or condominiums above. (3) A full building for office space. (4) Co-working. (5) A full condominium conversion with between four and six luxury condos. (6) A legal and lucrative Air BnB with 6+ units (one gorgeous unit already fitted out). (7) Or different combinations of the above.

An incredible property with high ceilings and original character. This building goes street to street (Locust to Latimer) and is superbly maintained. Central air. Elevator.

With a 100 WalkScore and just two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, this important Rittenhouse neighborhood property offers the perfect combination in utility, grace, and location.

View full listing here

Featured Listings

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE

1522 Locust Street

BRAND NEW LISTING

8700 SF | $2,600,000

PENN-KNOX/GERMANTOWN

152 W Price Street

BRAND NEW LISTING

4 BD | 3.5 BA | $645,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

415 S 47th Street

5 BD | 3.5 BA | Double Lot

4160 SF | $1,600,000

WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST

256 S 11th Street

Mixed-Use Triplex

3340 SF | $1,500,000

PENN-KNOX/GERMANTOWN

154 W Price Street

4 BD | 3.5 BA | 2400 SF

$695,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Ave #403

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1775 SF

$795,000

HAWTHORNE

1307 Kater Street

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2638 SF | $980,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4420 Chestnut Street

5-Units | 3600 SF | $895,000

COBBS CREEK

31 Property Portfolio

31 Single-Family Properties in
West Philly | $5,700,000

MIDTOWN VILLAGE

105 S 12th Street #201

1 BD | 2 BA | 1333 SF

$595,000

PACKER PARK

3207 Salerno Way

NEW PRICE

3 BD | 2/2 BA | 2885 SF

$632,500

SOUTHWEST SCHUYLKILL

4616 Paschall Avenue

3 BD | 3 BA | 2800 SF

$575,000

EAST KENSINGTON

2036 E Firth Street

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 2400 SF

$440,000

GRADUATE HOSPITAL

1546 South Street #C

2 BD | 1 BA | 900~ SF

$395,000

CHINATOWN

815-37 Arch Street #208

2 BD | 2 BA | 857 SF | $358,000

SOUTHWEST SCHUYLKILL

1333 S May Street

3 BD | 1 BA | 1096 SF | $250,000

CENTER CITY WEST

1001 Chestnut Street #506E

1 BD | 1 BA | 505 SF | $234,900

WEST KENSINGTON

2545 N 6th Street

3 BD | 1 BA | 1305 SF | $180,000

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.

Jeff City Block

City Block Team
Assoc. Broker
M: 215.833.7088
O: 267.435.8015
[email protected]

Office: 267-435-8015

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.

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Around the Block: 12/1/2023

Philly is an Odd Place

Spotlight Property

1522 Locust Street

Featured Listings

Jeff City Block

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