Washington Square West

Washington Square West is the best of both worlds. Named after Washington Square Park, which is located at 6th and Walnut, this neighborhood is an eclectic combination of both buyers and renters, open green space and urban charm.

Washington Square West is home to a strong LGBT pride and presence, and is often referred to as the “Gayborhood” by residents. Visitors will see rainbow flags on over 30 street signs, permanent fixtures dedicated to the diversity and inclusiveness of the neighborhood by former city Mayor, John Street.

Each street is lined with restaurants, bars and coffee shops, many of which feature outdoor seating and brightly colored storefronts. Fitness centers and yoga studios are also very prominent in the area. What makes the area extremely unique is that part of Jefferson University Hospital’s campus extends into the neighborhood; this gives the area a young, post-grad vibe, mixed with older professionals and settled couples.

Unfortunately there is always pedestrian and automotive traffic, and congested one-way streets means metered parking that is hard to come by. Yet what the area lacks in parking is made up for in housing options; there is a range of luxury condos and small, converted apartments in charming row homes. As a result, the residential makeup of the area is extremely diverse. Sale and rent prices are high, but it is possible to find cozy apartments for reasonable rates after some searching. Overall, the area is in high-demand due to its safety, eclectic culture, diversity and nightlife.

Washington Square West name comes from the historical urban park within the area, Washington Square. The park is a part of the Independence National Historical Parks. This trendy neighborhood offers a diverse array of shops, restaurants and coffee houses. There are a few gym and yoga studios too.

The real estate is delightful including 2-, 3-, and 4-story rowhomes, townhouses, condos, and mid-rise apartments. Architecture includes gorgeous Victorian and Queen Anne Revival styles. There are also a gothic appeal to some of the homes.

There are five charter schools in the area, as well as two public schools. Day-cares are around the neighborhood for those not old enough for school. There are also art and language schools in the vicinity. The University of the Arts is a higher education facility in Washington Square West.

Public transportation runs in the neighborhood making it accessible to the rest of the city. Traffic can be a pain during the day and on weekends, which makes parking a nightmare. There are bike lanes on some of the streets if you like traveling this way. While there are many vehicular options, walking in Washington Square West is a must to breathe in the variety of people and places.

There is plenty to do regarding nightlife in the area. Washington Square West includes many clubs, bars, restaurants, and lounges. There are also shops that stay open late for the benefit of those out at night. The majority of these establishments are gay and lesbian friendly, as the "Gayborhood" is a part of the area, symbolized by the rainbow on city street signs.

Washington Square West is a stylish and popular neighborhood which is ideal for professional and contemporary individuals. With so many residential, commercial and service options, the neighborhood is a diversely occupied place. For this reason Washington Square West is a desirable destination.

As one of the nicer areas of the city, residents and visitors to Washington Square can expect to see people sitting outside at coffee shops, old cobblestone streets, tree lined alleys, small shops and cute little parks. There seems to be a good ratio of renters to home owners, which creates an eclectic and exciting feel.

One of the biggest complaints people have about living downtown in Philadelphia is the lack of good grocery stores nearby. Washington Square West is lucky to have two grocery stores right on South Street, a Whole Food and an Acme, in addition to CVSs and other convenient stores. Pine Street is also home to quaint little shops and antique stores.

If you want to live or rent in Washington Square West, be prepared to empty out your pockets. This neighborhood is desirable, and it's easy to see why. Washington Square is nestled between Market Street and South Street, two of the hubs in the city. However, it does have it's downfalls. Lack of parking and constant traffic noise are enough to keep some people out of this neighborhood.

Tons of restaurants and bars make this neighborhood worth visiting on a weekday or weekend night. You can find nearly any type of food you are looking for here, from BYOB italian restaurants to pub food to upscale seafood. Philadelphia's Gay-berhood is also found within the Washington Square West neighborhood limits.

Taking its name Washington Square from a large square area between 5th and 7th Streets, the neighborhood borders Society Hill. Washington Square has a rather storied history. It was once home to a flourishing publishing industry but has been replaced by a multitude of insurance companies. In the late 1800s, many banks which once called the area home are now a part of Jewelry’s Row, the largest concentration outside of New York City.

However, before businesses thrived in Washington Square it was the location of a jail, the Walnut Street Jail, which was on bordering Walnut Street. And, the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic after the Revolutionary War are buried under what are now green grasses, trees, and memorials to the lost. . It is a nearby walk to Pennsylvania Hospital founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush, who performed the first surgery and combated the Yellow Fever epidemic.

Washington Square is home to the Philadelphia elite who have purchased condominiums that frequent the real estate offerings. Many doctors, lawyers and CEOs are counted amongst the residents. Schools are of the highest quality and nannies often walk young children along the square. This beautiful area contains many restaurants, theatre and events.

Taking its name Washington Square from a large square area between 5th and 7th Streets, the neighborhood borders Society Hill. Washington Square has a rather storied history. It was once home to a flourishing publishing industry but has been replaced by a multitude of insurance companies. In the late 1800s, many banks which once called the area home are now a part of Jewelry’s Row, the largest concentration outside of New York City.

However, before businesses thrived in Washington Square it was the location of a jail, the Walnut Street Jail, which was on bordering Walnut Street. And, the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic after the Revolutionary War are buried under what are now green grasses, trees, and memorials to the lost. . It is a nearby walk to Pennsylvania Hospital founded by Dr. Benjamin Rush, who performed the first surgery and combated the Yellow Fever epidemic.

Washington Square is home to the Philadelphia elite who have purchased condominiums that frequent the real estate offerings. Many doctors, lawyers and CEOs are counted amongst the residents. Schools are of the highest quality and nannies often walk young children along the square.
This beautiful area contains many restaurants, theatre and events

Washington Square, also referred to as Washington Square West is located in Center City Philadelphia close to the tourist area known as Independence Mall. It’s a super hip neighborhood with a variety of shops and restaurants all within walking distance. Of course this is part of what makes the neighborhood expensive to live in.

In addition to townhouses and condominiums, there is also a park of the same name located in the northeastern section of the neighborhood. The historic park was once used as a burial ground during the Revolutionary War.

A portion of Washington Square is also known at the “Gayborhood” because of its gay and lesbian friendly businesses. There are gay pride rainbow flags which adorn the street signs of the area. In the 1970s this area was the center of the gay bathhouse culture.

Washington Square is a one of the top neighborhoods in the city. Its diversity, abundant shops and restaurants as well as rich history attract people from all over whether tourists or residents of Philadelphia. It is also within walking distance of many other great areas of Philadelphia. Of course the pros of Washington Square also contribute to the cons. It’s expensive and parking is next to impossible.