Editing Northern Liberties

{{Infobox Neighborhood
| name = Northern Liberties
| type = Neighborhood
| location = River Wards
| zip_codes = 19123
| established = 1891 (consolidated into Philadelphia)
| boundaries = North: Girard Avenue, South: Spring Garden Street, East: Front Street, West: 6th Street
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[Fishtown]], [[Spring Garden (Philadelphia)|Spring Garden]], [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]], [[Callowhill]]
| major_streets = 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Spring Garden Street
| transit = Market-Frankford Line (Spring Garden Station, Girard Station)
| notable_landmarks = Piazza at Schmidt's, Liberty Lands Park
}}

'''Northern Liberties''' is a neighborhood in the River Wards section of [[Philadelphia]], located between [[Center City]] and [[Fishtown]]. Once an industrial district, Northern Liberties has transformed into one of the city's most rapidly gentrified neighborhoods, featuring modern apartment complexes, trendy restaurants, and nightlife venues. The neighborhood is centered around the Piazza at Schmidt's, a mixed-use development built on the site of a former brewery.<ref name="visitphilly">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/areas/philadelphia-neighborhoods/fishtown-and-northern-liberties/ |title=Fishtown and Northern Liberties |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>

Northern Liberties bridges the historic neighborhoods of Old City and Spring Garden to the south with the established residential character of Fishtown to the north.

== History ==

=== Colonial Era ===

"The Northern Liberties" was the area north of the original city limits, granted as a "liberty" (permission to settle) during colonial times. The neighborhood was not part of the original city of Philadelphia but was incorporated during the Consolidation Act of 1854.

=== Industrial Era ===

By the late 19th century, Northern Liberties had become an industrial district. The Schmidt's Brewery (founded 1860) was the neighborhood's most prominent employer. Factories, warehouses, and working-class rowhouses filled the neighborhood.

=== Decline ===

Deindustrialization in the late 20th century left Northern Liberties with vacant factories and warehouses. The Schmidt's Brewery closed in 1987, leaving a large vacant site.

=== Transformation ===

Redevelopment began in the 2000s with the conversion of industrial buildings to lofts and the construction of new housing. The '''Piazza at Schmidt's''', opened in 2009, transformed the former brewery site into a mixed-use development with apartments, retail, and a European-style piazza for public events.

Today, Northern Liberties is largely built out with new development, representing one of Philadelphia's most complete neighborhood transformations.

== Character ==

=== Architecture ===

Northern Liberties features a dramatic mix:
* New construction apartment buildings (dominant)
* Converted industrial loft buildings
* Historic rowhouses (fewer remaining)
* Former factory buildings repurposed as commercial space

=== Atmosphere ===

The neighborhood has a modern, urban feel:
* Young professional population
* Active nightlife and dining scene
* Mix of chains and independent businesses
* Walkable, bike-friendly streets

== The Piazza at Schmidt's ==

The '''Piazza at Schmidt's''' is Northern Liberties' centerpiece, built on the former Schmidt's Brewery site:

* Large public plaza for events
* Surrounding apartment buildings
* Ground-floor retail and restaurants
* Summer movie screenings
* Community events and festivals

The Piazza serves as the neighborhood's gathering place and de facto town square.

== Dining and Nightlife ==

Northern Liberties offers abundant dining options:

=== Restaurants ===

* '''Standard Tap''' - Pioneering gastropub, all-local draft beer
* '''Honey's Sit 'n Eat''' - Brunch destination
* '''Bar Ferdinand''' - Spanish tapas
* '''Heritage''' - Farm-to-table dining
* '''Cantina Dos Segundos''' - Mexican

=== Bars ===

* '''Standard Tap''' - Local craft beer focus
* '''700 Club''' - Neighborhood bar
* '''North Bowl''' - Bowling and bar
* '''Jerry's Bar''' - Dive bar

=== Coffee ===

* '''ReAnimator Coffee''' - Local roaster
* '''La Colombe''' - Philadelphia-based chain
* '''Elixr Coffee''' - Third-wave coffee

== Shopping ==

Commercial activity clusters around 2nd and 3rd Streets:
* Boutiques and specialty shops
* Home goods stores
* Local retailers
* Some national chains

== Getting There ==

=== Public Transit ===

* '''Market-Frankford Line (The L):''' Spring Garden Station, Girard Station
* '''SEPTA Bus Routes:''' 5, 25, 43, 57

=== Biking ===

Northern Liberties is very bike-friendly with proximity to the Delaware River Trail.

=== Driving ===

* I-95 access via Girard Avenue
* Street parking available
* Some paid garage parking at Piazza

== Living in Northern Liberties ==

=== Housing ===

* Predominantly new construction apartments
* Converted loft buildings
* Some historic rowhouses
* Higher rents than Philadelphia average

=== Demographics ===

* Young professionals (largest group)
* Recent college graduates
* Creative industry workers
* Few families with children (smaller units dominate)

=== Pros and Cons ===

'''Pros:'''
* Walkable to Center City and Fishtown
* Active dining and nightlife
* Modern housing stock
* Good transit access

'''Cons:'''
* Higher housing costs
* Less historic character than surrounding neighborhoods
* Some chain retail replacing independents
* Parking can be difficult

{{FAQ
| q1 = Where is Northern Liberties?
| a1 = Northern Liberties is between Center City and Fishtown, bounded by Girard Avenue (north), Spring Garden Street (south), Front Street (east), and 6th Street (west). It's in the River Wards section of Philadelphia.
| q2 = What is the Piazza in Northern Liberties?
| a2 = The Piazza at Schmidt's is Northern Liberties' centerpiece, built on the former Schmidt's Brewery site. It features a large public plaza, surrounding apartment buildings, ground-floor retail and restaurants, and hosts summer movie screenings and community events.
| q3 = What restaurants are in Northern Liberties?
| a3 = Northern Liberties restaurants include Standard Tap (pioneering gastropub), Honey's Sit 'n Eat (brunch), Bar Ferdinand (Spanish tapas), Heritage (farm-to-table), and many others. ReAnimator Coffee and La Colombe are popular coffee spots.
| q4 = Is Northern Liberties expensive?
| a4 = Yes, Northern Liberties is one of Philadelphia's more expensive neighborhoods after its transformation from industrial district to trendy destination. New construction apartments and converted lofts command higher rents than the Philadelphia average.
| q5 = Why is it called Northern Liberties?
| a5 = "The Northern Liberties" was the colonial-era name for the area north of Philadelphia's original city limits, granted as a "liberty" (permission to settle). It remained independent until the Consolidation Act of 1854 incorporated it into Philadelphia.
}}

== See Also ==

* [[Fishtown]]
* [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]]
* [[Spring Garden (Philadelphia)|Spring Garden]]
* [[Callowhill]]
* [[River Wards]]

== References ==
<references />

{{#seo:
|title=Northern Liberties Philadelphia - Trendy Neighborhood Guide
|description=Guide to Northern Liberties, Philadelphia's transformed industrial neighborhood. Restaurants, bars, the Piazza at Schmidt's, and nightlife near Fishtown and Center City.
|keywords=Northern Liberties Philadelphia, Piazza at Schmidt's, Northern Liberties restaurants, Philadelphia nightlife, NoLibs, Philadelphia neighborhoods
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:River Wards]]