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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 you are having a great week!
Let me explain. I do not enjoy sitting in it. Not in Center City. Not at Boathouse Row when I am driving in on Kelly Drive. Not the Schuylkill Expressway—at any spot, any direction, any time of day. (Also not a big fan of the nicknames—the Surekill, Slowkill, etc. I guess when a major roadway ends in the word “kill,” that is never a plus.) Not on Spruce or Chestnut in University City. Not anywhere. And especially not driving to the shore during the summer. How about that Friday rush? Everyone despises this. That is why I really love going to the shore during the off-season.
What I do love is analyzing traffic patterns (from an urban planning perspective). I enjoy watching traffic (from certain condos that overlook the expressway, for example). It is so interesting. And of course, I relish figuring out the best routes for wherever I am going. Thanks to Waze, I have learned that many routes I always thought were best, are definitely not (though typically by five minutes or less).
Then earlier this week, I saw an Inquirer article titled “The Race to the Shore,” and I knew it was right up my alley. A light-hearted piece where five Inquirer staffers leave their office on Friday at 4 pm and “race” to the Ocean City boardwalk to grab a slice of Manco & Manco. Each taking a different route.
One takes the most straightforward—the Ben Franklin Bridge to 42 South to the AC Expressway to the GS Parkway. I mean that is how I go, and probably most of us. Two staffers took the back roads–two different routes. One went 95 South to the Commodore Barry Bridge and then meandered across the Garden State’s rural farmlands. I have taken this general route before. It is long and slow, but pretty scenic and interesting in a highly rural and quirky kind of way. Worth checking out when you have some extra time to spend on a long drive (and you have that luxury all the time, right?). The other back road route is Route 55 to 49 to 50. I have never done this because I always felt it takes longer than the Expressway and it is not overly scenic either. This seems to be the back roads route that most people use, however. The other two staffers did not drive. One took the El to 30th Street, then the NJ Transit train to Atlantic City, and then Ubered to Ocean City. And finally, the most adventurous staffer biked the 60+ miles. Spoiler alert. She got the most exercise but came in last. By a lot.
Here are the results of the race to the shore during a summer Friday rush hour from Center City to Ocean City:
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1st Place—AC Expressway (1 hour, 40 minutes)
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2nd Place—Route 55 (2 hours, 11 minutes)
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3rd Place—322 rural route (2 hours, 35 minutes)
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4th Place—NJ Transit/Uber (2 hours, 45 minutes)
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5th Place—Bike (5 hours, 24 minutes)
My main backup route to the AC Expressway has always been the basic “Fruit Route.” Continue on 42 until it turns into 322 and then 40. Not bad but not as fast as the Expressway. Anyway, while the Expressway is generally the best, you sure don’t feel that way when you are in bumper-to-bumper. And 42 between the Walt/Ben and AC Expressway almost always sucks.
Anyway, the Inquirer piece is a fun article to read with dynamic graphics. Especially if you love traffic!
Have a great weekend! I hope you don’t spend too much of it bumper-to-bumper.
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5 BD | Family Room | Conservatory | Large Office/Sunroom | 3.5 BA | 4,160 SF | Spacious Outdoor Space | 3-Car Parking | $1,750,000
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Exceedingly rare opportunity. There are only a few detached single-family homes on double lots in the desirable Penn Alexander CATCHMENT. None have come up for sale since 2018. This stunning character-laden and light-filled center hall Tudor , circa 1920’s, was absolutely worth the wait! Includes original hardwood floors, doors and woodwork, leaded glass, crown and baseboard moldings, and more detail throughout. Double lot–Serene and Spacious outdoor space.–so many areas to enjoy. Tons of windows for seemingly impossible light throughout. And did I mention this corner home is situated on Osage Avenue, among the most desirable tree-lined blocks in the entire city! (The house is raised above street level, which affords true privacy while allowing the sun and views to shine through).
5 bedroom plus huge family room, conservatory (another sunny family space), and a large office/sunroom (could even be another bedroom), 3.5 baths. (Home currently set up as a 4 bedroom and could also be set up as a 5 or 6 bedroom plus offices and family room). The conservatory is an unparalleled all-season indoor-outdoor off of the kitchen and the rear yard. Pristine condition and superb character throughout. Naturally refinished original hardwood floors throughout. Spectacular light from all four exposures. Wood burning fireplace. 2-zone central air and multi-zone hot water heat. Significant recent upgrades to systems, including fully rewired with no remaining knob and tube wiring. Ample storage. Spectacular outdoor space for the city. 3-car Parking (garage plus two driveway spaces). A very special opportunity in one of the City’s most desirable neighborhoods and the Penn Alexander School Catchment.
One of the city’s absolute best locations. The alley behind these homes is perfect as a place to play, hang-out, and ride bikes, and for neighbor, family, and friend gatherings. Within blocks of Clark Park and its superb Farmers’ Market, ReAnimator Coffee, Knockbox Cafe, Vagrant Coffee, Local 44, Bottle Shop, Green Line Cafe, Dottie’s Donuts, TacoTaco Mexican, Tampopo, Pop Shop, Renata’s, Clarkville, Baltimore Avenue Restaurant Row, CVS, Mariposa Food Co-op, University City Swim Club, the Penn Alexander School, and much more. Walk to HUP, Penn, CHOP, Penn Vet, Drexel, St Joseph’s Science Campus. 10 minutes to Center City by car and plenty of convenient SEPTA options.
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Special Dining Events and Attractions
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Want to dine at the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Zahav, but haven’t been able to get a reservation? This spot is usually extremely difficult to get a seat at, but now more people will have a chance since it just opened a 50-seat patio that is for walk-ins only. The patio is open from 5:30 to 9 pm on Tuesdays through Sundays and while there you can try out its delicious menu of watermelon and feta mezze, salatim, hummus bowls with housemade pita, and plenty of summer cocktails.
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Head to University City to try out delicious discounted food from some of the neighborhood’s incredible internationally and locally-inspired restaurants during its Dining Days. Through July 30th you can enjoy $20, $30, and $40 meal deals including a $30 choose-your-own three-course dinner at NAM Vietnamese Kitchen and a $20 meal-for-two at Woosa Bubble Tea.
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Shark Summer, a New Exhibition, and Barbie Fun
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The popular bar Blondie Manayunk has a special pink room and in celebration of the premiere of the Barbie movie, the bar turns this spot into Barbie’s dream house for a 12-day pop-up experience. The pop-up runs until July 28th and features tasty plates including a Pretty in Pink Cake and Barbie’s Berry Bliss Pancakes and also Barbie-themed cocktails such as the Malibu Barbie Bay Breeze and Ken’s Kiss frozé. Reservations are required.
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Watch the scuba tooth fairy collect hundreds of teeth from the sharks at the Adventure Aquarium during its summer shark celebration. While at the aquarium visitors can walk across a suspended shark bridge above the shark-filled enclosure and also learn some interesting shark facts during the daily shark chats. This seasonal event runs until August 20th.
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5 BD | 3.5 BA | 4,160 SF | $1,750,000
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4 BD | 3.5 BA | 3000 SF | $1,450,000
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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 | $1,025,000
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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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7111 Germantown Avenue #403
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3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,775 SF | $795,000
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3 Contiguous Properties | 6,726 SF | 1,525,000
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1 BD | 2 BA | 1,333 SF | $619,000
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5 Units | 5,792 SF | $1,595,000
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4 Units | 2,000 SF | $550,000
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2 BD | 1 BA | 1,183 SF | $399,000
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3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,025 SF | $650,000
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3 BD | 1.5 BA | 2,178 SF | $400,000
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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 | 3 BA | 2,800 SF | $550,000
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University City
632 S 51st Street
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4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,792 SF | $375,000
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2 BD | 1 BA | 1,100 SF | $324,500
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5 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,491 SF | $599,000
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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 visitphilly.com, zahavrestaurant, and Canva.
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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.
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