Northern Liberties

Northern Liberties

Type	Neighborhood
Location	River Wards
ZIP code(s)	19123
Established	1891 (consolidated into Philadelphia)
Boundaries	North: Girard Avenue, South: Spring Garden Street, East: Front Street, West: 6th Street
Adjacent	Fishtown, Spring Garden, Old City, Callowhill
Major streets	2nd Street, 3rd Street, Spring Garden Street
Transit	Market-Frankford Line (Spring Garden Station, Girard Station)
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.

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

See Also

• Fishtown
• Old City
• Spring Garden
• Callowhill
• River Wards