Allegheny West

Allegheny West

Type	Neighborhood
Location	North Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19132, 19140
Named for	Allegheny Avenue
Boundaries	Roughly Allegheny Avenue to Lehigh Avenue, Broad Street to 33rd Street
Adjacent	Strawberry Mansion, Nicetown-Tioga, Temple University Area
Major streets	Allegheny Avenue, Broad Street, 29th Street
Transit	Broad Street Line (Allegheny Station), SEPTA bus routes
Landmarks	Progress Plaza, historic rowhouse architecture

Allegheny West is a neighborhood in North Philadelphia located along and west of North Broad Street. The neighborhood faces significant economic challenges but has historic housing stock and is home to Progress Plaza, one of the nation's first African-American-owned shopping centers.

Progress Plaza

Progress Plaza is historically significant:

• Opened 1968
• One of first African-American-owned shopping centers in the U.S.
• Development led by Rev. Leon Sullivan
• Continues operating as community commercial center
• Symbolizes Black economic empowerment

History

Allegheny West developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as North Philadelphia expanded. The neighborhood was home to working-class and middle-class families. Economic decline significantly impacted the area in the latter 20th century.

Character

Housing

• Historic rowhouses
• Victorian architecture in places
• Mix of conditions
• Significant vacancies
• Very affordable

Challenges

• High poverty rates
• Unemployment
• Crime concerns
• Property abandonment
• Limited services

Assets

• Progress Plaza
• Historic architecture
• Broad Street Line access
• Community organizations

Living in Allegheny West

• Very affordable housing
• Transit accessible
• Significant challenges
• Community revitalization efforts

Getting There

• Broad Street Line: Allegheny Station
• SEPTA buses: 4, 16
• North Broad Street: Major corridor

See Also

• Strawberry Mansion
• Nicetown-Tioga
• North Philadelphia