A lavish, walkable community in the heart of Center City
A desirable enclave of walkability in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Square mixes 18th-century charm with modern-day life, where locals walk from their historic rowhouses and high-rise condominiums to bustling strips of retailers, renowned restaurants, local markets and theaters. “Everything I need is within a three-block radius,” says Melissa Valenti, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who has called Rittenhouse Square home since 2005. “I walk everywhere, as do most people, and that’s the beauty of living here.” Rittenhouse Square Park lies between the neighborhood’s busy city life to the north and the tranquil blocks of rowhouses to the south, serving as a hub for relaxation and community events.
Upscale shopping and the finest restaurants in Philadelphia
With several hotels in Rittenhouse Square, locals are used to shopping and dining alongside tourists exploring the neighborhood, mostly on the north side. Popular brands and high-end retailers like J. Crew and Tiffany & Co. line what’s known as Rittenhouse Row, an approximately quarter-mile strip of Walnut Street that’s one of Philadelphia’s busiest commercial districts. Locals can walk just two blocks farther to Chestnut Street, another booming area, featuring more everyday shopping with retailers like Target, Barnes & Noble and Di Bruno Bros., a gourmet grocery store. Valenti says she and many other locals also get their groceries from local vendors at the Rittenhouse farmers markets, held every Tuesday and Saturday at Rittenhouse Square Park.
Among the myriad of restaurants locals can walk to are some of the finest establishments in the country. “We are fortunate to have so many local restaurants,” Valenti says. “All the owners are great people, and you form relationships with them." Upscale eatery Friday Saturday Sunday received the national 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant for its exquisite eight-course seasonal menu. People also enjoy dining alfresco at the neighborhood’s many parklets, aka “streeteries,” the most celebrated being Parc, a French bistro next to Rittenhouse Square Park, where the ambiance of Paris is brought to the streets of Philly.
Find fresh produce, deli meats, and cheeses in Rittenhouse Square at Di Bruno Brothers.
Parc is a favorite restaurant in Rittenhouse Square located right on the park.
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Luxury high-rise condos and historic rowhouses
“There’s a price point for all,” says Valenti of the neighborhood’s homes, “and what’s nice is you get the culture of New York City for much cheaper.” Residents on the north side live in high-rise condominiums, some from the 1920s with brick facades and others that are more modern, covered in windows, like The Laurel, Philadelphia’s tallest residential tower. There’s a huge price range, with 300-square-foot studios starting at $200,000, larger luxury condos with impressive city views selling for $10 million and then everything in between. On the south side, three-story brick and brownstone rowhouses built in the 1700s and 1800s feature charming Italianate and Second Empire architecture. These historic homes line tight, tree-lined streets, reminiscent of the city’s beginnings, while featuring modern interior upgrades. They can be anywhere from 800 to 9,000 square feet, at prices ranging from $550,000 to $10 million and sometimes more.
Stately historic townhouses are the most common home type found in Rittenhouse.
Ten Rittenhouse Square is one of many beautiful older condo buildings in Rittenhouse.
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A break from city life at Rittenhouse Square Park
Rittenhouse Square Park is the neighborhood spot to escape city life. The one-square-block park is frequently visited by locals, business professionals and tourists, whether to relax on a bench along the walkways, sit in the grass under some trees or admire the reflecting pool and garden statues while walking a dog. Just a half-mile west, the Schuylkill River Trail allows residents to enjoy walks and bike rides by the water.
Rittenhouse Square Park attracts locals and visitors in the summer months.
Rittenhouse Square Park is where residents come to enjoy the sun on a winter day.
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Community events draw in tens of thousands
Neighborhood residents and other Philadelphians look forward to annual events held in Rittenhouse Square. One of the city’s biggest events, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, blocks off the famous commercial strip for more than 50,000 pedestrians to celebrate the beginning of spring with live music and food from local restaurants. Rittenhouse Square Park hosts events throughout the year, including the Holiday Tree Lighting. “It’s magical,” Valenti says. “The square is packed, we all sing carols and the lights are absolutely beautiful.” The section of Broad Street in Rittenhouse Square is known as Avenue of the Arts, and it’s home to several theaters like the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, one of the city’s most prominent performing arts venues.
National Blue Ribbon elementary/middle school
Kindergarten through eighth-grade students can attend Albert M. Greenfield School, which gets a B-plus grade from Niche and received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon designation in 2018. Students can then go on to the C-minus-graded Benjamin Franklin High School, where they can earn professional certificates through the Careers & Technical Education Program.
Albert M Greenfield School receives an overall B+ grade from niche.com.
Benjamin Franklin High School helps to prepare its students for the future.
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Steps from SEPTA bus stops and subways
While most locals get around by foot, public transportation is available through SEPTA, which offers bus stops on just about every corner and two subway stations on Broad Street. There’s also a PATCO subway station on Locust Street, which goes to Camden County, New Jersey.
Get around the rest of Philadelphia from Rittenhouse Square from Walnut Locust Station.
Rittenhouse residents enjoy access to several convenient bus stops.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jillian Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Rittenhouse Square
Trails
Events
John F. Collins Park
Picnic Area
Fitler Square Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Marian Anderson Recreation Center
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
911 Schuykill Memorial
Schuylkill Banks
Bike Trails
Trails
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
20 min drive
Subway
15Th-16Th & Locust St
Bus
Broad St & Spruce St
Bus
20th St & Spruce St
Bus
16th St & Spruce St
Bus
Lombard St & 21st St
Bus
17th St & Pine St
Bus
Locust St & 21st St
Bus
Locust St & 17th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rittenhouse Square
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia sell after 96 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $923,217, up 17% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Elegant. Elevated. Effortless.Perched on the 8th floor of one of Rittenhouse Square’s most iconic addresses, this move-in-ready one-bedroom delivers park-side living with a rare combination of classic detail and smart design.With skyline and park views, crown molding, and a proper foyer, Unit 8F feels more like a refined city retreat than a standard apartment in the 24-hour concierge boutique
Johanna LokeBHHS Fox & Roach At the Harper, Rittenhouse Square
Welcome to the Dorchester, located on the southwest corner of Rittenhouse Sq. Rarely available, high floor, corner deluxe and refreshed one bedroom condo with not 1 but 2 south facing terraces.Tucked away in the southwest corner of the building provides you with privacy and yet the city is at your feet. Walls of windows flooding the space with incredible natural light. Two balconies, one off the
Franz RabauerKurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
Exceptional 4 story Rittenhouse Square corner home with 2 beds, 2.5 baths, den, rear deck and PARKING!! Enter into the first level which is ideal for dining, entertaining or relaxing with a gourmet galley style kitchen and door out to your very own rear parking spot! Next level up is the main living space with fireplace, wetbar, powder room and door out to charming rear deck. The third level is a
Come and experience The ARIA -- it's BETTER THAN EVER! All the special assessment issues are now resolved. COME BACK for a 2nd Look and take advantage of this opportunity to own this prestigious and exquisite FULLY RENOVATED 2BD/2.5BA (nearly 1,600 SF) condo residence in a 33-story Art Deco skyscraper on 15th and Locust, located in the very heart of Center City (Rittenhouse Square/Avenue of the
An opportunity to live on the penthouse floor of an elegant brownstone in Rittenhouse, also close to Avenue of the Arts (Broad St) and a short walk to Washington Square West/Jefferson Hospital. Stepping into the LaRoque building is like walking into an historic museum with a cool light bright gallery feel. Grand entry with mouldings, glass doors, stunning works of art, exposed brick and a wrap
Pamela Rosser-ThistleBHHS Fox & Roach At the Harper, Rittenhouse Square
***SELLER IS OPEN TO PROVIDING CREDIT FOR THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OR TO ADJUST THE PRICE ACCORDINGLY FOR AN ACCEPTABLE OFFER.*** Introducing an exquisite residence occupying nearly half of the premier 24th floor, where only two select units reside. Featuring magnificent exposures on three sides—South, East, and West—that invite an abundance of natural light and showcase breathtaking views of the
Offering Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. Center City Philadelphia Apartments Near Rittenhouse SquareBe a part of history! ICON mixes the beauty of the past with the modern amenities of today. Included on the National Register of Historic Places this incredible rental building soars to new heights, just like its iconic, ziggurat-topped peak. Looking for a downtown Philadelphia apartment
Offering Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. Center City Philadelphia Apartments Near Rittenhouse SquareBe a part of history! ICON mixes the beauty of the past with the modern amenities of today. Included on the National Register of Historic Places this incredible rental building soars to new heights, just like its iconic, ziggurat-topped peak. Looking for a downtown Philadelphia apartment
Offering Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. Center City Philadelphia Apartments Near Rittenhouse SquareBe a part of history! ICON mixes the beauty of the past with the modern amenities of today. Included on the National Register of Historic Places this incredible rental building soars to new heights, just like its iconic, ziggurat-topped peak. Looking for a downtown Philadelphia apartment
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jillian Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
16,378
Median Age
36
Population Density
92 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$107,279
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$144,657
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.8%
College Graduates
88.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
48.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
90/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
