Archive for the ‘Graduate Hospital’ Category
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
Top 10 Philly Neighborhoods
Market indicators foretell a buyer’s market continuing into 2013. Sales of homes in Philadelphia are growing slowly while inventory and price per square foot continue to remain steady, neither rising nor falling as the market slowly recovers from the housing market crash of last decade. This means that now is a great time to buy a house in Philadelphia.
This buyer’s market is causing a renaissance in various Philadelphia neighborhoods, and the resurgence of investment is reviving Philly neighborhoods that some would not expect. To take a closer look at what neighborhoods in Philadelphia are experiencing this market rebirth the most, we have compiled a list of the top ten hottest Philly neighborhoods.
Top 10 Hottest Philly Neighborhoods
Some of these up-and-coming Philadelphia neighborhoods may surprise you, but our research shows that each neighborhood on our list is experiencing interesting growth. While every Philly neighborhood has its own character, it shifts with changes in the housing market. Read on to find out the recent developments in Philadelphia’s top 10 hottest neighborhoods:
Lower North Philly – Lower North Philly is in the early stages of rebirth as this young neighborhood draws twentysomethings thanks to Temple University. This economic boost has provided for some commercial investment and a steady staple of restaurants and bars. As graduates stick around and invest in the neighborhood, Lower North Philly is likely to see continued growth.
Manayunk – The recent addition of cheaper residential lofts has given a jolt of life to this historic neighborhood that prides itself on its more than 100 historic buildings. The influx has given support to a thriving restaurant and wine bar scene that often takes advantage of the lovely scenery on the banks of the Schuylkill River. Manayunk is showing how historic Philadelphia can court modern buyers.
Graduate Hospital – Graduate Hospital is known for its low crime rates and excellent proximity to school resources, making it a huge draw for twenty- and thirtysomething single professionals, young married couples, and parent-child families. With walkability to many of Philadelphia’s best features and steady, even rising property values, Graduate Hospital will continue to be a Philadelphia neighborhood that draws long-term investment.
Fishtown – Hipsters have led the way in the Fishtown renaissance, driving the area toward a surprising influx of youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit. The low prices attracted the younger twentysomething demographic in and a variety of businesses have arrived to meet their eclectic needs, including a Barcade and a dessert boutique. Odds are that Fishtown is primed for massive growth thanks to the low entry prices and influx of local economy-driven business.
Fairmount – The classic Philadelphia brick homes and tree-lined streets of Fairmount are drawing a younger crowd in 2013. The up-and-coming professional class is driving up property values and revitalizing this Philly neighborhood, catalyzing a boom in restaurants thriving in Fairmount.
In our next post, we will have a look at Philly’s top five hottest neighborhoods. Don’t miss out on these growing Philadelphia neighborhoods or the investment potential that they represent.
Tags: best places to live in philadelphia, living in philly, philadelphia neighborhoods, Philly Living Blog, philly neighborhoods
Posted in Articles, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia real estate | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
PlazaPalooza is once again coming to Graduate Hospital this Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 7 p.m. Held in one of the triangles of Grays Ferry Avenue between South and Bainbridge streets, this year’s event promises to feature music from local bands New Pony, Tall Trees, Minas and the Clef Club Jazz Ensemble; beer from nearby Grace Tavern, and of course food from the establishments in and around the area. And, of course, what is a good street fair without something for the kids? Expect activities like a dunk tank, a fire truck, and more.
PlazaPalooza is great because it brings the community together, yes, but it also shows how the triangular intersection of 23rd/South/Grays Ferry could be better utilized as an expanded pedestrian plaza by reducing a lot of the redundant asphalt that currently covers the spot. This year, the fountain that exists at the intersection has been turned on and people regularly utilize the little amount of seating provided to enjoy the feature. The Triangles on Grays Ferry Avenue Gateway Project was formed to more fully promote pedestrianizing traffic triangles along Grays Ferry Avenue and 23rd and South Streets is one of their biggest priorities. Let’s hope events like PlazaPalooza continue to be a success and show how great the triangle can be if pedestrianized to its fullest. If the City’s Pedestrian Plaza Program wants to get in on the action as well, the more the merrier!
Posted in Articles, Graduate Hospital | 1 Comment »
Monday, April 8th, 2013
The Philadelphia real estate market is finally on the upswing, and many Philly neighborhoods have recently gone through huge transformations, bringing new housing, new restaurants, new shops, and new residents to the city. This month, Philadelphia magazine compiled its “Hot List 2013,” a listing of the 15 hottest neighborhoods in and around Philly. Here are just a few of the up-and-coming Philly neighborhoods that made the top ten.
New construction in Graduate Hospital. Photo: Jauhien Sasnou
#1: Graduate Hospital
With its high walkability and proximity to the city’s attractions, Graduate Hospital has quickly become one of Philly’s hottest neighborhoods. It is home to a high number of artists, and has a significantly lower crime rate than the average Philly neighborhood. Property values in Graduate Hospital have increased rapidly over the last year, attracting many investors and first-time homebuyers, including young professionals, young marrieds, and new parents. Between 2011 and 2012, the number of properties sold in Graduate Hospital increased by 23 percent.
Frankford Hall in Fishtown. Photo: M. Kennedy for Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
#4: Fishtown/Kensington
Over the last few years, Fishtown has been seeing growth from all different demographics. Residents love that it has a city feel without the high city prices. Property values in Fishtown are rising steadily as it is becoming one of the coolest neighborhoods in Philly. From 1999 to 2011, the median household income in Fishtown increased by 37.1 percent.
The Kimmel Center on the Avenue of the Arts. Photo: B. Krist for GPTMC.
#7: Avenue of the Arts
Avenue of the Arts has recently seen a surge of high-end apartments, condos, and townhouses. Property values have risen to Main Line levels as it has become the Philly neighborhood of choice for edgy young professionals with cash to burn. The completion of the Kimmel Center in 2001 transformed the Avenue of the Arts into the city’s cultural center. Between 2011 and 2012, the number of properties sold in the Avenue of the Arts area rose by 21.3 percent.
Street scene in Fairmount. Photo: Jeff Fusco
#8: Fairmount
In the past four years, Fairmount has become Philly’s suburban town in the heart of the city. Its lush trees and wide open spaces give it a small town neighborhood feel, while still being close to busy city life. Home prices in Fairmount have risen significantly over the past decade, as the area has welcomed a younger demographic, including first-time homebuyers seeking a wider variety of housing options. From 2011 to 2012, the number of properties sold in Fairmount has increased by 24.1 percent.
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, philadelphia neighborhoods, philadelphia real estate, philly real estate
Posted in Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Market stats, Neighborhood Pages, Philadelphia real estate | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Brian David Dennis, whose sculpture “Joy Vault” (2010) is shown here, is one of the 15 visual artists and designers whose work is featured at the holiday pop-up art show at the Bainbridge Club.
Two artists living in Graduate Hospital, Kevin Broad and Meei-Ling Ng, have teamed up with the South of South Neighborhood Association and The Bainbridge Club to organize a weekend pop-up art show featuring a raft of local visual and performing artists just in time for holiday shopping.
The show opens with a reception this Friday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Bainbridge Club, 1519 Bainbridge St. Along with an opportunity to meet the 15 visual artists whose works will be on display, guests can enjoy an evening of entertainment featuring the classic Japanese song stylings of Fumiyo Kobayashi Batta, poerty by Kyle Connor and straight-ahead jazz from Sam Borello and Scott Ziegler.
Additional performances, including film screenings and demonstrations of Chinese acrobatics, are scheduled throughout the show’s run, which continues through Sunday, Dec. 2.
Works by the individual artists will be available for purchase. The show is free and open to the public, and food and beverages will be available for purchase during the receptions and performance events.
For information about the event, visit its Facebook event page.
-Sandy Smith
Tags: bainbridge club, brian david dennis, events, holiday art show, holiday shopping, kevin broad, meei-ling ng, south of south neighborhood association
Posted in Graduate Hospital, Shopping | No Comments »
Thursday, October 11th, 2012
Beer Week not enough for you? Try the concentrated version, then.
This Saturday marks the return of Bloktoberfest, a one-day, four-block-long sudsy celebration of beer, food, music and Philly, to the South Street business strip west of Broad. From noon to 8 p.m., South Street from Broad to 18th streets will be turned over to craft breweries from around the country featuring their best beers, local restaurants and vendors selling all sorts of delicious food, and multiple music stages featuring both nationally recognized and emerging local musicians.
Co-sponsored by the South of South Neighborhood Association, the South Street West Business Association and Bella Vista Beer Distributors, the fourth annual Bloktoberfest also offers you a chance to hoist your mug for a good cause, as proceeds from the nonprofit event go to a variety of local charities.
Beer bracelets and more information about the event are available on the Bloktoberfest website.
-Sandy Smith
Posted in Articles, Graduate Hospital | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
The Philadelphia Neighborhoods project on Google Maps
In Philadelphia, neighborhoods matter. (Not that they don’t elsewhere.) They confer – or deny – status to residents and property, which is why (1) arguments over which blocks are in which neighborhoods can get heated (2) residents of neighborhoods as varied as Point Breeze and Southwark coined new names for their communities in the hopes of erasing perceived stigmas.
To help people sort things out, the Philadelphia Neighborhoods collaborative project launched on Google Maps seeks to delineate the boundaries of every Philadelphia neighborhood. Like a wiki, anyone can add to or edit it, which should ultimately make it a pretty accurate guide to what blocks belong where.
The project currently has two maps active. Users might want to use the second to mark subsidiary communities within larger neighborhoods, such as Spruce Hill in University City, the Devil’s Pocket in Southwest Center City or the Gayborhood (or Midtown Village) in Washington Square West. Just be prepared for others to challenge you once you define their boundaries.
Tags: buying a home in philadelphia, coldwell banker preferred, homes in philly, living in philly, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate, Philly Living, real estate, Real Estate in Philadelphia
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Fitler Square, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Points of Interest, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Even though the real estate market has been tumultuous for many recently, Philadelphia somehow seems to be doing much better compared to most other parts of the country. The local market has some activity, as in housing is being purchased and seeing increases. Additionally, construction of new single-family homes continues to go up, especially in the suburbs.
One point of prosperity in the Philly real estate market lies in the increase in existing home sales into December. December 2011 took in about five more percent of existing sales than December 2010 did. Sales from the end of last year thus far have been positive. This is something the housing market needs momentously. Thus far in 2012, there hasn’t been a significant increase in homes purchased but there is certainly a growing interest in property expected to take place.
On the seller’s side, there is hope that rising apartment rental rates could drive some potential buyers back into the fold in 2012. The average rental rate for all Philadelphia apartments has gone up nearly eight percent in the last year alone. This equals an increase of nearly $80 in the past year alone. The thought is that those individuals or couples on the fence about renting and buying could take a more serious look at buying, especially with today’s mortgage rates.
Reports have shown that mortgage rates have been hitting record lows throughout the country, as well as here in Philadelphia, which is certainly inviting for potential buyers. Right now, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is coming with 4.007 APR. With mortgage rates being this low and rentals continuing to increase in price, there is hope that some buyers will begin to see the benefits of buying in early 2012.
Right now, Philadelphia’s top selling areas have remained the northwestern and western areas of Center City. However, other parts of Philadelphia have retained their value attracting buyers and keeping the market going.
Right now, the big issue the city faces is sale prices, specifically for sellers. It is important to note that even though sales prices have dropped in this area, they have not plummeted as much as other cities across the country.
Rittenhouse Square, in western Center City, continues to show strength
In the coming months, there is reason to be optimistic that these prices can get a small pickup. Median prices were down about six percent in December from the previous year, but this could have been expected. The months of November and December are generally regarded as slow months for real estate anyway, but the numbers shouldn’t have too heavy an impact on the rest of the first quarter of 2012.
A glance at the early trends in 2012 Philadelphia real estate is truly a mixed bag right now. Coming off the month of December is usually not pretty for any market; however, the Philly market has looked rather stable in the early part of the year. Regardless, it should remain to be seen if factors such as mortgage rates, rising rental rates and an increase in existing home sales can positively influence the market for both buyers and sellers throughout the first half of 2012.
–By Emma Crawford, special to PhillyLiving.com
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, Philly Living, Philly Living Blog
Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, Conventional Loans, East Falls, Fairmount, FHA, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Market stats, Mortgages, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rentals, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
On the whole, it’s still a good time to buy if you are in the market for real estate in Philadelphia. But some market conditions are beginning to trend more favorably for sellers as well.
That’s our reading of the data in the latest Philly Living Market Action Report. Our quarterly guide to real estate market trends in Center City and surrounding Philadelphia neighborhoods offers grounds for cautious optimism in the months to come. While sales volume is down for the quarter relative to the previous year, it is up significantly from the previous month and quarter, running counter to the usual end-of-year downturn. The average selling price for homes in Center City and environs rose significantly from last quarter and one year ago, while the median selling price fell slightly in both cases. This suggests that buyers on the whole are still looking for value, even though a few opted for properties at the upper end of the scale.
In terms of prices, the highest prices continue to be commanded in the city’s two most desirable neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square (19103) and Chestnut Hill (19118). Worth noting, however, is a continued, sustained upward trend in median selling prices in Southwest Center City and Point Breeze (19146), reflecting especially increased activity in the latter neighborhood.
Inventory continues to decline, offering the prospect of better prices for sellers in the months to come, but days on market rose slightly, suggesting buyers are still waiting sellers out. Sale price-to-list price ratio also dropped slightly from last year and last quarter but held steady from the previous month.
For full details on activity in Philadelphia’s neighborhood housing markets, request a copy of the latest Market Action Report at phillyliving.com/report.
Philadelphia street scene by Adam Jones, Ph.D., used under a Creative Commons license
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Luxury Homes, Market stats, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
In case you have been living under a rock, the Center City District’s semi-annual Restaurant Week is just around the corner. Actually, “Restaurant Week” is now a misnomer – this popular event, now in its 10th year, runs for two weeks – from Jan. 22-27 and Jan. 29-Feb. 3 for the winter edition. (Another two-week Restaurant Week takes place in the fall.)
Maybe we could dine at Osteria for $65 a head, but we doubt we could get out of Le Bec-Fin for that little.
Philadelphia-area food lovers devour this event, and with good reason: more than 100 of Center City’s best restaruants offer special three-course prix fixe menus for just $35 for dinner – and many of them also offer special $20 lunch menus. (Tax, gratuity and alcoholic beverages are not included in the package deal.) For adventurous diners, Restaurant Week offers a chance to sample unusual fare and high-end dining experiences ($35 for dinner at Le Bec-Fin? Sign us up!) they might not otherwise consider.
The event draws large crowds to the participating restaurants. Many restaurateurs love Restaurant Week for the exposure it gives their restaurants to new patrons. So does the Center City District. Echoing economic development officials in other cities that run such events, the CCD’s Kristen Linker told Forbes last fall, “Since its inception in 2003, Center City District Restaurant Week has generated over $23.9 million in additional revenues for the restaurants and pumped over $90.7 million into Center City Philadelphia’s economy.”
Not among the fans, however, is Marc Vetri, quite possibly the most celebrated chef in Philadelphia today. In a status update on his Facebook page, Vetri said that the discount dining deal really isn’t that much of one, especially after figuring in the wine, tax and tip. You could dine at his Osteria restaurant in Fairmount, he said, for about what the Restaurant Week special would run per person after throwing in all the rest. (The full text of his complaint can be found on Foobooz.) Add the crowds and the harried waitstaff to that, he said, and you might be better off dining at the restaurant of your choice on a normal night.
To some, these are fighting words. To others, Vetri has revealed the emperor has no clothes. What do you think? Share your comments here.
–By Sandy Smith
Photo of Le Bec-Fin by TexasDex from Wikimedia Commons, used under a Creative Commons Share-Alike 3.0 license
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, marc vetri, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia restaurants, restaurant week, restaurants in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Center City, Fairmount, Graduate Hospital, Logan Square, Old City, Philadelphia real estate, Points of Interest, Restaurants, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
There are now 76 markets where the real estate picture is expected to look better in the months to come, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index, released Jan. 9. The Philadelphia real estate market is one of those 76.
The addition of 40 metro areas to the monthly list of improving markets suggests that the fitful housing market recovery is spreading beyond the smaller markets that were not as heavily affected by the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008. Last month, there were 41 cities on the list. (Five of those – Anchorage, Alaska; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Canton, Ohio; Scranton, Pa., and Charleston, W. Va. – dropped off the list.)
“While relatively small metropolitan areas continue to dominate the list of improving housing markets, it’s important to note that several major metros in diverse parts of the country have now joined the field as well – including such metros as Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Nashville and Philadelphia,”NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said in a news release. “This is an encouraging sign that gradually strengthening economic conditions are starting to take hold across a broader swath of America.”
The NAHB and title insurer First American base the index on trends in three categories: employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and growth in single-family housing construction permits from the U.S. Census Bureau. A metro area that has had six consecutive months of growth from a prior trough in all three areas gets added to the index.
What does this mean for you, the Philadelphia home owner or buyer? If you are in the latter camp, we suggest you accelerate your house-hunting timetable if you can. While home price growth is forecast to be modest for the year ahead, prices are expected to rise, and that means that you are more likely to get the home you want at a great price now than later. If you are a home owner, talk with your Realtor about the ideal time to put your home on the market if you are still weighing your options. Our team of real estate experts can assist you in determining when and how to best take advantage of a rising market.
Tags: buying a home in philadelphia, center city real estate, coldwell banker preferred, living in philly, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Market stats, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
