Get to know the many neighborhoods of Philadelphia in Agent Lady’s blog series “Philly Neighborhood Spotlight.” Whether you are looking to buy a home in this wonderful City of Brotherly Love or just want to get to know the lay of the land, read about the history, location, and highlights of Philly neighborhoods.
Location
The Brewerytown neighborhood is located northwest of Center City just between Fairmount and North Philadelphia. Its boundaries are from Cecil B Moore Avenue south to Parrish Street and from 25th Street west to the Schuylkill River.
History
The section of Brewerytown first appeared on a map of Philadelphia in 1860, meaning it was an established neighborhood in the city. On the map Cecil B. Moore Avenue is originally Columbia Avenue while Parrish Street is Ogden Street. Before the 1840’s, there was no record of streets or residential homes in the area.
It isn’t a mystery as to how Brewerytown got its name. During the 19th and 20th centuries, there were over 700 breweries within a ten-block area! The close proximity to farmland made the area ideal for brewers to start their businesses. The brewing industry was thriving.
However, the neighborhood started to decline in the early ages of the Prohibition. From 1919 to 1933, alcohol was illegal in America. Though Philadelphia was known for disobeying this law, it forced the breweries to close permanently. Most owners decided to move their businesses out west. By 1980, every brewery in the area shut down.
Crime rates rose in the area and Brewerytown was considered blighted by Philadelphia’s government in the second half of the 20th century. Brewerytown, along with North Philadelphia, experienced economic depressions and hardships. However, in 1991 the National Register of Historic Places recognized Brewerytown as a historical district.
Recently, Brewerytown has gained a lot of attention due to new development happening in the neighborhood. Some say it’s Philadelphia’s hottest new neighborhood while others are calling the development gentrification.
Atmosphere
Right now, there is some tension in the neighborhood between long-time residents and housing developers. As developers buy affordable land and build new construction houses, property values increase, causing the residents’ taxes to increase. There is an argument surrounding Brewerytown as to whether the development is gentrification or revitalizing a once booming neighborhood.
The neighborhood is still in the early stages of development. As you walk down the streets you can see large, newly constructed row homes with roof decks next to vacant lots or older brick row homes. There are both one and two lane streets as well as very narrow side streets. Most of the area consists of residential homes with scattered restaurants, convenience stores, or grocery stores throughout Brewerytown.
It’s a popular neighborhood with real estate investors and developers, so you can expect to see a lot of construction being done in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is a great opportunity for home buyers looking for new construction in the city.
Keeping true to the neighborhood’s name, two breweries have recently opened. One is Crime and Punishment Brewing Co. and the other is the Brewery Taproom.
Highlights and Events
NigelKnowsRealEstate.com
Every year, the neighborhood holds the Brewerytown Spring Festival, which is a street festival filled with vendors selling handcrafted products and food. Attendees can enjoy live music from multiple local bands too.
One Brewerytown resident let’s the rest of Philly in on a secret that Lorenzo’s Rice and Beans at 25th and Thompson is a hidden gem in the neighborhood. You can expect a crowd on the weekends!
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Looking to Move?
Does moving into a newly constructed home make you excited? Do you want to see a neighborhood transform before your eyes? Make sure to contact Philadelphia’s leading real estate agent, the Agent Lady! Schedule your FREE consultation today to learn more about Brewerytown.
About Brittany: Brittany is the super organized (and awesome) marketing assistant that helps home buying and selling clients have the best experience possible. She also shares her creative side by writing compelling short stories about the home buying process that are loosely based on actual client situations and captures the authentic feel of Philadelphia neighborhoods.
