Editing Contemporary Architecture (section)

== Residential Development ==

Contemporary residential development has reshaped Philadelphia neighborhoods, with high-rise towers rising in Center City and University City while mid-rise and rowhouse-scale infill has transformed areas from Northern Liberties to Point Breeze. Design quality varies widely: some projects achieve sophisticated contemporary expression; others default to generic forms that could appear anywhere. The best contemporary residential buildings engage Philadelphia's specific conditions—its traditional streetwall, its scale and materials, its neighborhood character—while providing contemporary amenities and environmental performance.<ref name="stern"/>

Graduate Hospital, Brewerytown, Francisville, and other neighborhoods have experienced waves of contemporary construction that replaced vacant lots and deteriorated structures with new housing. These projects have generated both appreciation for neighborhood revitalization and concern about displacement and character change. Contemporary architecture in these contexts must navigate complex expectations: neighbors, preservationists, developers, and residents hold varied opinions about appropriate design responses to Philadelphia's established urban fabric.<ref name="davidson"/>