Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
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15th Street at Chestnut. Looking north. 1983.
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Things change… and stay the same
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Fall 1983. I am in 11th grade at Friends Select School at 17th & the Parkway. School’s out at 3:00 pm and I may head to an arcade on Chestnut Street—Supercade or Zounds. Or perhaps see a movie at the Sam Eric, the Goldman (pictured above), or one of the other movie theaters on Chestnut, Walnut, or 15th Streets. Sometimes I go hang out in Rittenhouse Square. City Hall is the tallest building in Philly. The Sixers led by Dr J and Moses Malone are World Champions. The Phillies just won the pennant after having won their first ever World Series in 1980. Wilson Goode is Mayor. Ed Rendell DA. Our two US Senators are John Heinz and Arlen Specter. The President is Ronald Regan.
Some things change and some stay the same.
1983 was the year Willard Rouse sought approval to build One Liberty Place taller than City Hall. Renowned Philadelphia city planner Edmund Bacon and many other civic leaders bemoaned the Rouse plan. They noted Philly’s charm comes from its low profile and that once the top of Billy Penn’s hat was surpassed, we could never get that quaint feeling back. I supported the Liberty Place project at the time (Yes, even as a high schooler, I was interested in city planning, and a few years later I went on to major in Urban Studies at Temple. With a focus on the City of Philadelphia). Four decades later, Philly is a world class city with one of our nation’s most beautiful skylines. Some of my favorite skyline views are where I can see the top of our gorgeous City Hall and Billy Penn’s hat nestled among the taller buildings! And our neighborhoods have retained their charm. We have seen many improvements in Center City and certainly have some misses as well. Rittenhouse Square remains a winner and Philly’s other squares and parks are better than ever.
2022—The 76ers have not won a championship since (maybe soon?). Neither have the Flyers (assuredly not so soon). The Phils and Eagles have each won one championship since. The movie theaters and arcades are long gone. Ed Rendell went on to become our greatest mayor and is as responsible as anyone for the city we enjoy today. John Heinz and Arlen Specter were two classic Pennsylvania Republicans. Fiscally responsible and socially moderate, and they would be summarily and utterly eschewed by the Republican party of today. Bizarrely, I can say the same for the long-time legend of conservative stalwarts, Ronald Regan. Things change…
…and will always continue to do so. My pharmacy since the 1990s, the Rite Aid at 23rd & Walnut just closed, and a residential tower is going up. A residential tower is expected to replace the Sunoco at 22nd & Walnut as well. That Rite-Aid served Center City West for so long and will be missed. That Sunoco is one of Center City’s last remaining gas stations (remember the Gulf at Broad and Pine—now the Symphony House). Nevertheless, I support this change just as I supported Liberty Place. In this case, filling in Walnut Street between Center City West and University City is another important step in the city’s development.
And I feel the same way about the city’s newest and certainly most publicized long-term plan for change—the new Sixers arena and associated development at Market East. The city has the time to do this right—to preserve vital neighborhoods such as Chinatown and to bring much needed development and improvement to Market Street East, while bringing a material influx of construction jobs and critical infrastructure improvements to the city. For example, can we cover the Vine Street Expressway east of Broad? I will be writing much about what they are now calling “76 Place at Market East” in the months and years to come. That is for sure.
I love this city. How it changes. How it remains the same. I have been here for over 50 years, and on the one hand, I still recognize Philly from the 70s and 80s, and that is important. I believe the city has retained it character—through Center City and the neighborhoods. On the other, I have watched it grow and change, mostly for the better, and I look forward to where we go from here.
Please have a nice weekend.
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3 BD | Den | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | On the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places | Large Side Patio | A+ Location | $750,000
Charming home with lovely outdoor space listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Located in the Society Hill neighborhood with a 99 Walk Score.
This sun-filled, 3 bedroom PLUS DEN, 2 bath home features a beautiful brick facade, high ceilings, built-ins, tasteful finishes, a large patio, hardwood floors throughout, and a new HVAC system
Enter into the open living and dining area with superb light, high ceilings, and moldings. Beyond presents a hallway with a coat closet and gorgeous kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, excellent cabinet space, and French doors leading to the large side patio. The 300 sq. ft. patio is professionally landscaped and has plenty of room to entertain and dine outdoors.
Up the stairs is a small den with built-in shelving that can be used as a library or office space. Also on this level is a bright and airy bedroom with ceiling fan and a full bathroom.
The third floor has two good-sized bedrooms and another full bathroom.
A large basement with excellent ceiling height and storage space completes this home.
Located in the desirable McCall School Catchment. Easy walk to Whole Foods, Acme, Washington Square Park, Headhouse Square and its superb Farmers’ Market, Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Center City amenities, and public transportation. Welcome Home!
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A Magical Tour and Shark Tooth Celebration
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If you like history or magic, then you need to check out The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour led by award-winning magician, Robert Malissa. During the tour, Robert leads participants through historic locations in Old City, each of which he uses as the basis for his comedic and magical performance.
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Through September 5th, is the Adventure Aquarium’s Shark Tooth Summer celebration. This shark-themed event includes exclusive tours above the aquarium’s shark tanks, daily chats with shark experts, and dives by a scuba-clad tooth fairy three times a day. This program is included with your general admission ticket.
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Newly open in the Bella Vista neighborhood is the Philly Cheese School. This school offers intimate BYOB classes with tastings and expert tips on how to serve and pair the perfect variety of cheeses together. A great bit of knowledge to use at your next house party.
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Every Thursday in August is the Meet Me on South Street series which features food & drink deals and shopping and arts experiences at dozens of South Street bars, restaurants, and businesses. Deals include amazing happy hour specials at Bridget Foy’s, $5 beers and $6 sandwiches at Brauhaus Schmitz, 75-cent pierogies at the Tattooed Mom, ladies’ night specials at Dobbs on South, and much more. Each week has a special theme with this upcoming week being, “Nerdy!”
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Visit Termini’s South Philly flagship for a free bakery tour that includes cannoli being filled and gigantic mixers as big as hot tubs. Kids who participate get a little paper hat. Plus afterward, you can browse Termini’s incredible selection of tasty treats for a post-tour snack.
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For a unique and scaly experience, visit ILLExotics in East Passyunk and check out what is essentially a free reptile and amphibian house. While there you can see lots of tanks full of all different creatures including tortoises, exotic lizards, frogs, and chameleons. To learn more about the animals, just turn to one of the store’s experts and ask them any question you have. The shop’s layout also allows for you to get up close and personal with all of the cold blooded critters.
- Everyone knows about the incredible Philadelphia Museum of Art, but you may not be aware of the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden behind it. This beautiful outdoor art installation is completely free and includes unique exhibits such as a gigantic electric plug. Another free spot for sculpture sightings is The Rodin Museum garden.
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If you are a dog lover, then you need to check out this dog walking opportunity at Doggie Style Pets. Sign up to walk one of the resident pups at Doggie Style for a half-hour. Visit this link to easily pick a time and store location and then show up with your ID.
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There are so many amazing museums to see in Philly, but how about a few unique ones that are free? Here’s a list to check out:
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The Shoe Museum at Temple’s podiatry school that includes baby shoes, Mummer shoes, a locker room with athletes’ shoes, and more
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Fireman’s Hall Museum in historic Old City
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The Science History Institute
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The Institute of Contemporary Art
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Mount Airy
New Construction
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3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$1,025,000
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5038 Spruce Street
NEW LISTING
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4614 Paschall Avenue
NEW LISTING
4 Bed | 4.5 Bath
$650,000
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706 S Bancroft Street
NEW PRICE
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$635,000
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772 N 25th Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
3 Bed | 1.5 Bath
$550,000
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4627 Paschall Avenue
BRAND NEW LISTING
3 Bed | 1.5 Bath
$275,000
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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 phillymag.com, phillycheeseschool, thephiladelphiacitizen.org, and Canva.
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