Living in Art Museum District, Philadelphia, PA
The Art Museum District, Pennsylvania is an area in Philly that encompasses the Fairmount and Spring Garden neighborhoods, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Just northwest of Center City, the Art Museum District is somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its older residents make for a quieter atmosphere, but many young professionals and families also call Art Museum home.
The Art Museum District Neighborhood Community
While the main attraction of the district is the world-class Philadelphia Museum of Art and its annex, the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building, it is not the only museum in the neighborhood. The Rodin Museum has the largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin outside of France, and the Franklin Institute and the Barnes Foundation are also prominent museums in the area. The Thomas Eakins House, previously the home of the famous artist, is now home of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, an anti-graffiti program helping teens create murals and indoor installations.
Behind the art museum, a statue of Joan of Arc sits on the corner of 25th and Kelly Avenue. Commissioned from Emmanuel Frémiet, the statue is modeled after a Joan of Arc statue Frémiet made for the Place des Pyramides in Paris. Other attractions in Art Museum include the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, the huge Victorian brownstone Bergdoll Mansion, and the Washington Monument at Eakins Oval. There are plenty of upscale restaurants and nice shops that cater to the area's buttoned-up post-grads, as well as some longstanding bars like Brigid's, London Grill, and the Belgian Café.
Homes for Sale in Art Museum District, Pennsylvania
Although the boundaries of Art Museum District are somewhat vague, most people agree that Spring Garden is the southernmost border, while Girard Avenue is the northern edge. Art Museum lies mainly west of Broad Street and extends all the way west to the Schuylkill River. The western section of Art Museum District by the river is the most desirable area; it has a high percentage of owner-occupied housing, so it can be tough to find rentals.
Art Museum District real estate mainly consists of older homes in various conditions. One-, two-, and even three- to five-bedroom homes are king in the area, although there are some apartments as well. The Art Museum area is generally very safe yet chock-full of cultural attractions. It's perfect for young professionals and older people looking to settle down in a nice quiet part of Philadelphia.
