Philadelphia Real Estate: Society Hill

Society Hill is a neighborhood in the Center City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The neighborhood, loosely defined as bounded by Walnut, Lombard, Front and 8th Streets, contains the largest concentration of original 18th- and early 19th-century architecture of any place in the United States. Much like Beacon Hill in Boston, Society Hill is noted as a charming district with cobblestone streets bordered by brick rowhouses in Federal and Georgian style.

History

The district is named after the 18th century Free Society of Traders, which had its offices at Front Street on the hill above Dock Creek. Located close to both the Delaware River and Philadelphia's civic buildings, including the Independence Hall, the neighborhood soon became one of the city's most populous areas.

In the 19th century, the city expanded westward and the area lost its appeal. Houses deteriorated until the 1950s, when the city, state and federal governments started one of the first redevelopment programs aimed at the preservation of historic buildings. While several 19th-century buildings were demolished, most of the historic houses were sold to individuals who restored the exteriors. Replicas of 18th-century street furniture were added to enhance the colonial atmosphere. Empty lots and demolished buildings were replaced with parks, walkways, and modern buildings like the high-rise Society Hill Towers, designed by architect I.M. Pei. Louis Sauer designed dozens of rowhouse projects for the area around Society Hill, including Waverly Court and Penn's Landing Square.

Historic buildings in Society Hill include the Society Hill Synagogue, built in 1829 as a Baptist church by Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter, one of the architects of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. The synagogue was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Another notable building is St. Peter's Church, constructed between 1758 and 1761 by Robert Smith.

Source of Article:

Wikipedia. (2008). Society Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 29, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_Hill%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania

Society Hill Civic Association
Society Hill Synagogue
Society Hill Playhouse