Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
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On working from home and the office…
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Things are far from back to normal. Even as more of us get vaccines, COVID rates are rising again. And Center City offices are nothing like they were pre-pandemic. That being said, Spring is in the air, the parks and outdoor seating are packed, people are shopping and getting outside, and… drum roll please… we now have more pedestrians walking the Center City Philly streets than we have had in over a year. Even the early 2020 pre-pandemic months had fewer people walking than now. This is incredible news.
On a purely personal note, after a long hiatus, I just restarted my monthly garage parking at my office. Not saying it is back to normal. For my entire working life, both as a lawyer and a REALTOR®, I never worked from home. I mean, I am always on the phone and checking my emails (yes, even from home, and sometimes (often?) too much), and I have a printer and laptop, but it was rarely used. I spent every weekday and some weekends in the office or in the field. If I had work to do, I was in the office.
But starting in mid-March 2020, me (and much of the rest of the world) started working from home. Kristen helped me set up a home office. I ordered an office chair, monitors, mouse and keyboard, and other office supplies. We repurposed a cool old metal table as my desk. Everything was surreal and very hard to get used to. Wow, that seems like such a long time ago. Paradoxically, many things I did pre-pandemic seem like just yesterday. Like when you think, oh going to dinner with so and so was so much fun. When was that? Recent? Oh yeah, like in 2019.
So now I am back in the office. But it is so different. First, I would say I am in the office about half time and home half time. Some days in, some days out, and some days split. And while it may move more and more back to favor the office time, I now plan to always maintain a home office and to use it. So that will never be the same. Second, the office is different. Not only did Compass Philly move during the pandemic, so it is literally a different office, but more so, every office is a different office. I mean there is hardly anyone there. Me and the three CBT admins used to be in the office all-day, every day. Let’s say 175+ hours a week between the four of us. Now, I am there about 20 hours, and the rest of the staff totals probably around 10-15, as they are still working from home for now. So right there, me and the admins are down from 175 to about 30 hours in the office a week. And the 10 other CBT agents are working from home as well. And this is just our team. Scores of other Compass teams and agents are in a similar place.
But slowly and surely, we are coming back. There are more people this week than last, and more people last week than last month. And as recently as a month ago, I was never in more than 5 hours a week. And the same can be said for Center City. Sadly, many restaurants and shops have closed, and like me, many may never work in the office as much as they used to. But I am a hopeful and optimistic person, and I believe that the future of Philly is great. And that applies to Center City, and all the neighborhood shopping districts, as well as entertainment venues. Things will be different. But they will be good. They will come back. And we are now on the way.
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302 S 3rd Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,995 SF | Home Office | Finished Lower Level | Den | Roof Deck | Patio | On-site Parking
$1,650,000
27.5’ wide brick corner townhome in desirable Cypress Square in the heart of Society Hill. 1-car onsite PARKING. This extra-wide, sun-filled townhome offers 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a spacious home office (or family room or 5th bedroom), finished lower level (with another family room and gym), and a den/bonus room that walks-out to the large roof-deck. There is a lovely brick patio just outside the main floor living area.
Beautiful condition with newly finished, gorgeous hardwood floors throughout. 3,995 finished sq.ft. including the lower level (3,245 above grade plus 750 in lower level). Superb layout throughout, includes a capacious 2nd floor primary suite, and large rooms and spaces throughout.
A+ location with a 98 WalkScore, 98 Transit Score, and 97 BikeScore. Walk to all the great restaurants, cafes, and shopping of Society Hill, Old City, Washington Square, and all of Center City, including 2 blocks to the Head House Square Farmers’ Market and less than a half block to Three Bears Park. An outstanding home. Note– Parking is Space No 10 and is directly outside your rear patio door. 2-Zone HVAC (Radiator Heat and Central Air; programmable thermostats). In the McCall School CATCHMENT, and just two blocks to Saint Peter’s School.
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1611 Pine Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 BD | 3.5 BA | 3,545 SF | Finished Lower Level | Private Rear Yard | Roof Deck w/ Hot Tub
A magnificent home, Gorgeously Restored & Renovated in 2019-2020. Stunning Character and Detail. 4 bedroom plus large family room, 3.5 bath pristine home in desirable Rittenhouse location. Finished Lower Level. Private rear yard. Roof deck with hot tub and straight-on skyline views. 2-car, self-park, covered GARAGE Parking at the Symphony House (Seller Paid for 1 year, or 2 years for 1 car).
Gorgeous Roman brick and copper bay facade.
This south facing home with bright sunlight throughout offers spacious rooms, original hardwood floors throughout, 10’+ ceilings on every floor, leaded glass throughout, significant woodwork throughout, Mercer Tiled mantles, and more. So Much Character. 3-zone HVAC. New electrical wiring (all knob & tube removed), new plumbing, new kitchen (moved from 2nd floor to 1st), new master suite, newly finished lower level.
Blending grand, sophisticated details with modern design, this is an important home in a super convenient location (99 WalkScore, 100 TransitScore). 3 blocks to Rittenhouse Square and convenient to all that Center City has to offer, all universities and hospitals, parks, shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Located in the Greenfield School Catchment. One Special feature of 1611 Pine’s location is that its rear yard has direct access to the 300 block of South Smedley Street, which is one of the city’s nicest and most neighborly blocks (play, ride bikes, etc.).
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(Safe) Philly Fun This Week
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Incredible Food & Drink Picks
Dine on some delicious food from any of the following Philly chefs and restaurants:
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Chef Guillermo Pernot serves up chicken, beef, pork and tuna empanadas at Empanada Alley. Relax at home and get yourself an order from this delivery-only ghost kitchen.
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The Royal Boucherie‘s current theme is “new.” This Old City bistro is open again, with a new menu and a brand new chef serving it up. Check out the expanded outdoor streetery and second-floor patio tables.
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Art in the Age has new spring cocktails to-go. Take home bottles of gin & tonics, Kentucky Mules, Negroni Spritzes, and more, or enjoy at the shop’s expanded cocktail garden.
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You can now find Lola’s Garden in Suburban Square in Ardmore! Enjoy modern American fare and delightful cocktails in this new spot.
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Check out some of Philly’s best art that is on view at galleries and attractions around the city:
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The Galleries at Moore reopened Monday — on display now is the art school’s MFA & MA Thesis Exhibition featuring the works of six artists (through April 24).
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The Clay Studio presents mini works in Small Favors (through April 25) and comical ceramics in Anxious Assembly (through May 2).
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The Fabric Workshop & Museum (in collaboration with the Clay Studio) hosts Hard/Cover which examines the connection between time, process, and space (through September 26).
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Head to Carpenters’ Hall to view Measure Twice, Cut Once (for free). Featured is Benjamin Franklin-inspired works by local artist John Hopkins (who is also the caretaker of Franklin’s grave).
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Pentimenti Gallery in Old City launched two new exhibits on Saturday, available by appointment (April 17 – June 5).
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Mural Arts Philadelphia continues its walking tours for an opportunity to explore public art with an expert guide.
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Reopen House Day at Philadelphia’s National Historic Landmarks
On Sunday, April 18, 2021 Global Philadelphia celebrated International Day for Monuments and Sites with in-person and online programming at National Historic Landmarks throughout the city.
Visit Global Philadelphia’s website for more details on attractions and check out their awesome, interactive map of every National Historic Landmark in the city.
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302 S 3rd Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$1,650,000
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1611 Pine Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 Bed | 3.5 Bath
$1,650,000
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Mount Airy
New Construction
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4618 Osage Avenue
BRAND NEW LISTING
4 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$925,000
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4 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$675,000
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251 Farragut Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
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1601 Mt Vernon Street
NEW PRICE
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250 S 17th Street, Unit 100
NEW PRICE
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4517 Osage Avenue
BRAND NEW LISTING
3 Bed | 1.5 Bath
$565,000
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3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$525,000
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624 S 42nd Street
NEW LISTING
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4517 Springfield Avenue
NEW LISTING
5 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$450,000
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4617 Pine Street, Unit H210
4 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$449,000
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1601 S Juniper Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
3 Bed | 1.5 Bath
$433,500
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1810 Rittenhouse Square, Unit 503
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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 Visit Philly, UWISHUNU Philadelphia, theclaystudio.org, and Canva.
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