Center City

Center City

Type	Region
Location	Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19102, 19103, 19106, 19107
Boundaries	North: Spring Garden Street/Vine Street, South: South Street, East: Delaware River, West: Schuylkill River
Major streets	Broad Street, Market Street, Walnut Street, Chestnut Street
Transit	Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, SEPTA Regional Rail
Landmarks	Philadelphia City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, Rittenhouse Square, Independence Hall

Center City is the downtown core and central business district of Philadelphia, located between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the commercial, cultural, and governmental heart of the city, home to Philadelphia City Hall, the city's tallest skyscrapers, major cultural institutions, and historic sites including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Center City is one of the largest and most densely populated downtowns in the United States.

The area encompasses numerous distinct neighborhoods, from the historic Old City along the Delaware to affluent Rittenhouse Square in the west. Center City combines historic architecture with modern development, world-class restaurants with neighborhood cafes, and business activity with vibrant residential life.

History

Center City occupies the original core of William Penn's 1682 city plan. Penn designed Philadelphia as a grid between the two rivers, with five public squares and Broad and Market Streets as the primary axes. Philadelphia City Hall now occupies Centre Square, the central point of Penn's plan.

Through the colonial era and into the 19th century, Center City was the entirety of urban Philadelphia. As the city expanded, Center City became the downtown, with residential neighborhoods developing to the north, south, and west.

Geography

Center City is bounded by:

• North: Spring Garden Street (some definitions use Vine Street)
• South: South Street
• East: Delaware River
• West: Schuylkill River

The neighborhood is bisected by:

• Broad Street (running north-south, the widest street)
• Market Street (running east-west, the central commercial corridor)

Neighborhoods

Center City contains numerous distinct neighborhoods:

East of Broad Street

• Old City - Historic district with Independence Hall, First Friday gallery walks
• Society Hill - Prestigious residential area with Georgian architecture
• Washington Square West - Includes the Gayborhood, Antique Row
• Chinatown - Asian-American neighborhood with restaurants and shops
• Midtown Village - Restaurant and nightlife district
• Market East - Commercial district with Fashion District Philadelphia

West of Broad Street

• Rittenhouse Square - Upscale neighborhood around William Penn's original square
• Logan Square - Museum district along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Fitler Square - Quiet residential neighborhood
• Penn Center - Office district west of City Hall

Peripheral

• Spring Garden - Northern edge with Eastern State Penitentiary
• Callowhill - Former industrial area with the Rail Park
• Penn's Landing - Delaware River waterfront

Landmarks

Historic Sites

• Independence Hall - UNESCO World Heritage Site, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence
• Liberty Bell - Iconic symbol of American freedom
• Philadelphia City Hall - World's tallest masonry building, topped by William Penn statue
• Elfreth's Alley - Oldest residential street in America

Cultural Institutions

• Philadelphia Museum of Art - Major art museum (technically in Fairmount but accessed via Center City)
• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - Home of the Philadelphia Orchestra
• Academy of Music - Historic opera house
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - America's first art museum and school
• Mutter Museum - Medical history museum

Markets

• Reading Terminal Market - Historic public market with dozens of food vendors
• Italian Market - Just south of Center City in South Philadelphia

Dining

Center City offers exceptional dining across all price points:

Notable Restaurants

• Fine dining along Walnut Street and Rittenhouse Square
• Stephen Starr restaurant empire (Buddakan, El Vez, Parc)
• Acclaimed BYOB restaurants
• International cuisines in Chinatown

Markets and Food Halls

• Reading Terminal Market - Diverse food vendors under one roof
• Fashion District Food Hall - Modern food hall

Shopping

Major shopping areas include:

• Walnut Street - Upscale boutiques and national retailers
• Chestnut Street - Mix of retail and dining
• Market Street - Major department stores and Fashion District
• Rittenhouse Row - High-end shopping district

Transportation

Center City is the hub of Philadelphia's transit system:

Public Transit

• Broad Street Line (The B): North-south subway
• Market-Frankford Line (The L): East-west elevated/subway
• SEPTA Regional Rail: All lines terminate at Jefferson Station, Suburban Station, or 30th Street Station
• SEPTA Bus Routes: Dozens of routes serve Center City
• SEPTA Trolleys: Surface trolleys on routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36

Major Stations

• 30th Street Station - Amtrak hub, Regional Rail
• Suburban Station - Regional Rail, Broad Street Line
• Jefferson Station - Regional Rail, Market-Frankford Line
• City Hall Station - Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line connection

Driving and Parking

Street parking is limited and expensive. Numerous parking garages serve Center City, but public transit is recommended for most visits.

Living in Center City

Center City has experienced significant residential growth since the 1990s. The area offers:

• High-rise apartments and condominiums
• Converted loft buildings
• Historic townhouses
• New construction residential towers

The population is predominantly young professionals, empty nesters, and students. Amenities include exceptional walkability, dining, cultural attractions, and proximity to employment.

See Also

• Philadelphia City Hall
• Rittenhouse Square
• Old City
• Reading Terminal Market
• Independence Hall
• SEPTA