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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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This week, unfortunately, the only French influence anyone is thinking about is the smoke from Quebec that has inundated Philadelphia and the northeastern United States. Under normal circumstances, la belle province is one of North America’s most magnificent regions, and I wish the province and all of Canada the very best in fighting and controlling these devastating wildfires.
But once the smoke is gone, Philly’s French influence will remain. Not from our neighbors in the True North, but from our friends across the pond—the OG Français. Yes, from Paris, France.
Because as basically nobody knows, Philadelphia is the Paris of the United States. Not to be confused with the approximately 20 cities in the US merely named Paris; such as the well-known Paris, Texas; Paris, Ohio (which itself should not be confused with St Paris, OH or New Paris, OH); and our very own Paris, Pennsylvania; Philly is simply “the Frenchest American City.”
What am I talking about? Who thinks that?…
Michelin’s Green Guide to Philadelphia. That’s who! How authentic is this? Michelin is not only one of the most respected travel guides in the world, but it is a French company. To date, Michelin’s Le Guide Vert Philadelphia has only been published in French and is only available for sale in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. The English translation comes out this summer. No one knows what is French like the French! So, what is really going on here?
Now I have always known of some Philly-France connections. The French were our allies, financiers, and friends in the Revolutionary War. Ben Franklin was a prominent Philadelphian who sojourned in Paris at that time and was loved by the French. Then in the early 19th Century, Joseph Bonaparte moved to Philadelphia, where he lived in the Wash West neighborhood (not sure he called it that). His home at 260 S 9th Street house still stands today. Bonaparte had a well-known younger brother, of course. We have the Rodin Museum, which sits on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Parkway was designed by French architect Paul Philippe Cret and was modeled after the Champs-Élysées.
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Then skip like 150 years or so and French chef George Perrier opened his world-renowned Le Bec-Fin at 1312 Spruce Street, before moving to his Walnut Street location in the early 1980s. By the way, the original Spruce Street Le Bec space has been home to Vetri Cucina for the past 20+ years. That space has some really good restaurant vibes. Philly has had some other well-known French chefs and stellar coffee roasters over the years, and we have a French hotel—the Sofitel.
When I lived at the Dorchester in the 1990s, my 5th floor condo overlooked quaint Rittenhouse Street, and that had a Parisian rooftop sort of feel. And my current neighborhood Mt Airy has a French Village and many homes built in the French Norman style. I know one home that has actual thatched roof buildings out back making it feel like the French countryside.
I also very recently learned that Philadelphia has a French Quarter. Apparently, I lived and worked a block from this area for about 30 years and never even knew it. Yes, Philly’s French Quarter is between 17th & 19th Streets, Sansom & Walnut. It is a pretty small quarter and Philadelphians really are not aware of it, but it actually says “French Quarter” on the bottom of the street signs. Fascinating! And when I learned about this Philly-French connection, I did some Googling, and Philly really does have a rich French history.
But even with all this French connection, I still never considered Philly to be a highly French-influenced city and certainly not one that the French may consider the Frenchest City in America! But they do! At least their leading travel guide does. The editor of the Michelin Green Guide said, “You will feel closer to France in Philadelphia than in New Orleans.” Wow! I mean NOLA has a real French Quarter and a fleur de lis on their city flag and football helmets. It was an actual French colony. Well, maybe the Big Easy can lay claim as America’s second-most French city.
The awesome thing about all this is that no one is more surprised by our newfound French status than Philadelphians themselves. Have you ever been to a Birds game and screamed, “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES” and thought, “Gee, I sure hope Les Bleus wins the next World Cup!” Or walked into a Philadelphia Pretzel Factory and asked for a croissant with spicy mustard. As bad as some of our mayors have been, has one ever uttered the words, “Let them eat cheesesteak!”
Look, Philly is America’s greatest city, right? So do you blame the French for wanting a piece of this? I love it.
Vive la France! Philadelphia Maneto!
And as we Philadelphians are known to say…
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5 BD | Family Room/Office | 2.5 BA | 2,721 SF | Sun Porch |
Original Character | Rear Deck | Parking | $725,000
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The best of West Philly! This 2970 s.f. three-story townhouse is on a wide, tree-lined street in University City’s Garden Court neighborhood. Built c.1921 by community developer Clarence Siegel, it features original French doors, hardwood flooring, leaded glass, a living room fireplace and a grand staircase. And parking! There’s a garage off the rear alley, plus an additional parking space in front of the garage. The first floor has a year-round sun porch, large living room, formal dining room, wide-open kitchen/ breakfast room, and a rear deck. Upstairs, there are 5 bedrooms, a sunny second floor family room/ office, and two baths. There’s an additional half bath in the unfinished basement. You can live in the house as-is and/or make the changes you want, rather than being stuck with a flipper’s insensitive changes!
The 46th & Osage-Larchwood location is one of the most popular in West, within the catchment area for the well-regarded Penn Alexander K-8 public grade school*. The house is just a couple of blocks north of Baltimore Avenue – University City’s “Main Street” – an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops. Clark Park is only a few blocks away. Catch the trolley on Baltimore Ave. for a fast 15- minute ride to center city Philadelphia, with stops along the way at UPenn, Drexel U, and the 30th St. transportation hub. (*Catchment area address doesn’t guarantee admittance.) Note: a new garage door is coming, but currently back ordered. It will be installed asap.
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Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House
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Through June 17th, The Betsy Ross House celebrates the stars and stripes during Flag Fest. This event features a week full of meet-and-greets with costumed Once Upon a Nation History Makers, 10 am flag-raising ceremonies, flag-making workshops, and an afternoon curator’s corner that showcase rarely seen items from the museum’s collection. The event culminates this Saturday with a free family-friendly festival featuring circus performers, carnival games, and the classic Punch & Judy Puppet Show.
Photograph & content courtesy of uwishunu.
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6 BD | 3.5 BA | 6,623 SF | $1,300,000
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4 BD | 3.5 BA | 3,190 SF | $1,050,000
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5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,721 SF | $725,000
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7111 Germantown Avenue #403
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3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,775 SF | $795,000
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35 Property Portfolio in West Philly
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35 Single-family Properties | $7,000,000
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1 BD | 2 BA | 1,333 SF | $645,000
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5 Units | 5,792 SF | $1,595,000
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3 Contiguous Properties | 6,726 SF | 1,525,000
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2 BD | 1 BA | 1,183 SF | $399,000
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4 Units | 2,000 SF | $550,000
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7111 Germantown Avenue #102
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3 BD | 2 BA | 1,670 SF | $525,000
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3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,450 SF | $925,000
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4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,792 SF | $375,000
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3 BD | 3 BA | 2,800 SF | $550,000
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2 BD | 1 BA | 1,100 SF | $345,000
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4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,240 SF | $289,000
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3 BD | 1 BA | 1,305 SF | $195,000
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3 BD | 1 BA | 1,096 SF | $250,000
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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 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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