Nestled south of historic Old City and running adjacent to Columbus Boulevard – a main artery of the city – on its easternmost edge, Society Hill is one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most treasured neighborhoods. Its boundaries extend from Walnut Street to the north and Lombard Street to the south, encompassing Front Street to the east and Eighth Street to the west. Residents of Society Hill fall in the 19106 and 19147 zip codes.
Society Hill, so named because it was first developed by a group of society-making free traders, is host to some of the city’s best cocktail lounges and restaurants.
Critically acclaimed Zahav – an Israeli-cuisine outpost that’s won countless best-of awards through the years – stands tall as the gotta-try-it place to take visiting friends and family. Positano Coast, meanwhile, cooks up some of the city’s best Italian entrees with a gorgeous balcony view, and Talula’s Garden – located just off Washington Square Park – continues to provide one of the city’s best brunch offerings, serving warm seasonal confections and locally sourced entrees that include the full spectrum of benedicts, lox and omelets. For pizza cravings, Pizzeria Stella lures in passersby with its streetside smell of smoky mozzarella, stemming from its woodfire oven.
The Olde Bar, meanwhile, fills the void for the after-dinner drink, outfitted in the original and historic Bookbinder’s building with an impressive list of premium cocktails.
Society Hill can often feel like a well-kept secret, despite being smack-dab in the center of some of Philadelphia’s best things to do.
Society Hill is home to two movie theaters, which play some of the nation’s most difficult-to-find movies and participate in the Philadelphia Film Festival every October. Flanking the neighborhood are the historic attractions of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, with Spruce Street Harbor Park just across Columbus Boulevard. To the northwest, on the border of Washington Square West, the neighborhood shares Washington Square Park, a block-sized sister park to Rittenhouse Square complete with a majestic fountain. In the heart of the neighborhood, you’ll find historic sites like the Thaddeus Kosciuszko memorial and the Old Pine Street Church, which counted a number of historically significant Revolutionaries among its Presbyterian congregation.
In general, a simple stroll-through of Society Hill is practically a walk through time. Founded in the 1600s, Society Hill is a remarkably well-preserved portion of the city, filled with cobblestone side streets, Franklin street lamps, 18th-century Georgian townhomes – see: The Powel House – and the awe-inspiring Merchants Exchange Building, finished in the style of Greek Revival.
Kids attending the Philadelphia School District in the 19106 zip code attend the Gen. George A. McKall School, for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. High school students attend Benjamin Franklin High School, located on North Broad Street. Those in the 19147 code attend the George Nebinger School for kindergarten through eighth grade, and the Horace Furness School, in South Philadelphia, for high school.
Society Hill also contains the long-running St. Peter’s School, a private, non-sectarian school for kindergarten through eighth grade.
For groceries, regional supermarket Acme is conveniently located at Fifth and Delancey streets, offering all the essentials at affordable prices. Rounding that out is the farmer’s market at the Headhouse Market on Second Street, during which 40(!) vendors gather on weekends to sell local produce, jams, breads, pickles, baked goods and more.
Society Hill is also just north of South Street, where you’ll find Whole Foods.
Browse Society Hill real estate listings for homes, condos and apartments. Contact us to learn more.
$550,000
ACTIVE
703 S 4th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2,000 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$550,000
PENDING
1150 Cross Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,084 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$550,000
ACTIVE
410 S Front Street 206 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 1 Baths 1,157 SqFt
$559,000
ACTIVE
919 Washington Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4 Beds 3 Baths 1,752 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$559,900
PENDING
200 Lombard Street 3 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 3 Baths 1,574 SqFt
$564,900
ACTIVE UNDER CONTRACT
709 S Delhi Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,464 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$565,000
PENDING
1025 S 6th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1,897 SqFt 0.030 Acres
$565,000
PENDING
740 S Columbus Boulevard 18 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,385 SqFt 0.030 Acres
$569,000
PENDING
825 Bainbridge Street 2D Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 925 SqFt
$569,000
ACTIVE
825 Bainbridge Street 204 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 855 SqFt
$575,000
ACTIVE
1124 South Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1,896 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$575,000
PENDING
411 Manton Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4 Beds 3 Baths 1,944 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$575,000
PENDING
712 S Schell Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 Beds 3 Baths 1,350 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$575,000
PENDING
435 Catharine Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,414 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$578,000
ACTIVE
931 S 11th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,215 SqFt 0.020 Acres
$579,000
ACTIVE
825 Bainbridge Street 302 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 910 SqFt
$587,900
ACTIVE
1101 Washington Avenue 502 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,624 SqFt
$589,900
ACTIVE
1301 S 6th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2,970 SqFt 0.020 Acres
You may also be interested in homes located in these nearby neighborhoods.
East of Broad, Washington Square West is home to the historic Jeweler’s Row, Rittenhouse Square sister park Washington Square Park and the architecturally stunning Curtis Center.
Located just below Society Hill, this neighborhood is often cited as the starting line for South Philadelphia, with an increasingly youthful feel and attractions like the quickly evolving Fabric Row and South Street Headhouse District.
Ground zero for Center City Philadelphia culture, Rittenhouse is host to the world-known Rittenhouse Square Park and its surrounding restaurants and the culturally rich stretch of Walnut Street Shopping, and rests in close proximity to City Hall and Dilworth Park.
Copper Hill Real Estate believes that market knowledge and customer service are essential to delivering a customized and seamless real estate experience. Contact us to schedule a property showing, or to learn more about our buying and selling services.
