Editing Society Hill Restoration (section)

== National Influence ==

Society Hill's success influenced preservation and planning practice throughout the United States. The neighborhood demonstrated that historic districts could attract investment and residents, challenging assumptions that old buildings were obstacles to urban vitality. Other cities developed similar programs, adapting Society Hill's combination of deed restrictions, certified rehabilitation, and compatible new construction to their own circumstances. The model contributed to the historic preservation movement's growth and to federal legislation supporting preservation.<ref name="bacon"/>

The neighborhood's continuing success—Society Hill remains one of Philadelphia's most desirable addresses—validates the restoration's approach while providing ongoing lessons about preservation's long-term management. Maintaining architectural character across generations of owners requires ongoing attention to guidelines and enforcement, challenges that Society Hill and similar districts continue to navigate. The restoration thus represents not a completed project but an ongoing commitment to stewardship that each generation must renew.<ref name="gallery"/>