Point Breeze

Point Breeze

Type	Neighborhood
Location	South Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19145, 19146
Boundaries	North: Washington Avenue, South: Snyder Avenue, East: Broad Street, West: 25th Street
Adjacent	Grays Ferry, Passyunk Square, Newbold
Major streets	Point Breeze Avenue, 22nd Street, Snyder Avenue
Transit	Broad Street Line (Snyder Station), Bus Routes
Landmarks	Bok Building, community gardens

Point Breeze is a neighborhood in South Philadelphia experiencing significant change. Historically a working-class area, Point Breeze has become one of Philadelphia's most actively developing neighborhoods since the 2010s, with new construction and renovation attracting newcomers while spurring debate about gentrification, displacement, and the neighborhood's future.

History

Working-Class Origins

Point Breeze developed as a working-class neighborhood in the late 19th century, home to factory workers and their families. The neighborhood was predominantly African-American by the mid-20th century.

Decline

Like many Philadelphia neighborhoods, Point Breeze experienced disinvestment in the late 20th century:

• Population loss
• Vacant lots and abandoned houses
• Limited commercial activity

Redevelopment

Since approximately 2010, Point Breeze has experienced rapid change:

• Aggressive new construction
• House renovations ("flips")
• Rising property values
• Influx of new residents
• Business openings

The pace and scale of change have made Point Breeze a flashpoint for gentrification debates.

Character

Architecture

• Philadelphia rowhouses (historic)
• Significant new construction
• Mix of renovated and unrenovated
• Some Victorian details remaining

Current State

Point Breeze is a neighborhood in transition:

• Blocks of new construction mixed with longtime housing
• Visible construction activity
• Changing demographics
• Evolving commercial scene

The Gentrification Debate

Point Breeze has become a symbol of Philadelphia's gentrification tensions:

Concerns

• Displacement of longtime residents
• Rising property taxes
• Loss of affordable housing
• Community character changes
• Tensions between old and new residents

Counterarguments

• Investment after decades of disinvestment
• Property improvements
• New businesses and services
• Population growth

Bok Building

The Bok Building, a former high school, has been transformed into a creative hub:

• Artist studios
• Small businesses
• Rooftop bar (Bok Bar)
• Community events
• Symbol of neighborhood change

Living in Point Breeze

Housing

• New construction rowhouses
• Renovated older homes
• Unrenovated rowhouses (decreasing)
• Rapidly rising prices

Demographics

• Mix of longtime African-American residents
• New arrivals (often white, younger, professional)
• Active demographic shift

Commercial

• Growing restaurant scene
• New cafes and bars
• Traditional businesses (some remaining)
• Development along commercial corridors

Getting There

Public Transit

• Broad Street Line (The B): Snyder Station
• SEPTA Bus Routes: 17, 29, G

Biking

Increasingly bike-friendly with connections to Center City.

See Also

• Grays Ferry
• Passyunk Square
• South Philadelphia