$492,657Average Value$530Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Investment promises a bright future for this walkable West Philly enclave
Garden Court is a walkable, historic neighborhood immersed in the residential quarter of West Philadelphia. “Garden Court, Spruce Hill and Cedar Park are like brothers and sisters in that there’s not much geographic difference between them,” says Algernong Allen, broker with Keller Williams Empower and long-time resident of the Southwest Schuylkill area. “The character of each is very similar, and you would have to live here to feel the difference. But Garden Court has more apartment buildings, while Spruce Hill has more people associated with the University of Pennsylvania, and Cedar Park has more public transit and a commercial corridor.” Christopher Hvostal, Realtor with Keller Williams Empower, observes that University of Pennsylvania’s decision to invest in the neighborhood’s Henry Lea High School “has gotten people excited,” noting that UPenn’s investment in Penn Alexander Middle a few blocks east already helped “transform” the Spruce Hill area. But, Hvostal adds that the neighborhood already has a lot to offer. Hvostal: “While being green and having a farmers market at Clark Park, it’s only 15 minutes from Center City. Garden Court has a strong culture and greenery that doesn’t take away the city life.”
Historic rowhouses and opulent single-family homes
Single-family homes are very hard to come by, but a few sit on or near South 47th Street, typically following Tudor Revival designs. These homes offer upwards of 4,000 square feet of interior space and range in price from $900,000 to $1.5 million. Two-story, brick rowhouses comprise the majority of the neighborhood, with second-story bay windows and enclosed or open-air porches. Some builds have pastel blue dentals and trims while others have roofs with the red interlocked shingles characteristic of Mediterranean homes. Other townhouses show Tudor Revival architectural influence. “A lot of homes are on the National Register of Historic Places,” Allen says. “If it’s on there and you want to renovate, you have to get approval from the historic commission for your facade. Residents have a lot of input on development, and new development has to be run through the community association.” Townhouses don’t go on the market often, but prices typically fall between $400,000 and $1.1 million. “Each couple of blocks you get closer to Center City, the price goes up,” Allen notes. Values are also on the rise. “Houses are starting to sell for double what my clients paid for 6 to 7 years ago,” Hvostal says.
Older, three-story, brick duplexes are not uncommon in Garden Court.
Even in the “city of row homes,” many grand houses occupy the neighborhood of Garden Court.
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Shopping and dining in University City
A cluster of local eateries sit just east of the neighborhood in the Spruce Hill and University City neighborhoods. Tropical-themed Copabanana serves up Mexican street cuisine and American comfort food. Hvostal suggests trying Doro Bet, an Ethiopian restaurant with a plethora of gluten-free options. Booker’s Restaurant & Bar just southwest of the neighborhood is a cornerstone of the West Philly dining scene, popular for their Southern-style meals like peach cobbler French toast. On select evenings, a jazz band performs. Cedar Food Market is a local grocery store just a few blocks from Booker’s, and there’s also Walnut Supermarket a few blocks northwest of Garden Court. An Acme supermarket and Aldi are within a mile of the neighborhood, and so is Makkah Market, which is open 24/7 and specializes in Middle Eastern products.
The Copabanana is a popular place for food and drink not far from Garden Court.
Garden Court residents can get their grocery shopping done at Acme in University City.
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Clark Park hosts a weekly farmers market
Ben Barkan Park is a small green space on the northwest side of the neighborhood with a playground. Malcolm X Memorial Park is just west of Garden Court and anchored by a central pavilion used for celebrations and community-wide events like Juneteenth. The park also features paved walkways, two playgrounds and chess tables. Clark Park is just southeast of the neighborhood and features mature trees and walking trails. The green space is home to the Clark Park Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning year-round. Just east of the neighborhood, Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary is tucked behind a block of rowhouses, a leafy retreat known to attract red-tailed hawks, downy woodpeckers and other species.
Hundreds of vendors from miles away come to sell at the Clark Park Farmers Market.
Fresh produce is always available on Saturdays at the Clark Park Farmers Market.
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Porchfest and charitable community events
The Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) puts on several events throughout the year such as a Progressive Dinner. Food is prepared and enjoy by community members, and proceeds go to GCCA initiatives and the Cheryl Roebuck Memorial Music Scholarship, which assists West Philadelphia K-12 students interested in developing their musical skills. Porchfest covers much of West Philadelphia, a DIY music festival in June where artists from genres as diverse as folk, jazz and rap perform from residents’ porches.
University of Pennsylvania is helping neighborhood schools
Henry C. Lea School serves pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade students. Kids can then move up to West Philadelphia High. Both schools earn overall C ratings from Niche. The University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League institution commonly known as UPenn, sits only a mile east of Garden Court. Through the Educational Pipeline Program, West Philadelphia High students interested in careers in healthcare and medicine can attend lessons organized by UPenn students, participate in a six-week summer internship and graduate with college credit.
The gothic theme at Penn is carried through on many buildings such as the Wistar Institute.
University of Penn's campus contains a smaller version of Love Park's original.
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SEPTRA bus and rapid transit routes, plus nearby highways and Philadelphia International Airport
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley route 34 follows Baltimore Avenue, heading east to Center City. The Market-Frankford line of the SEPTA rapid transit system follows Market Street, running through Center City. Philadelphia International Airport lies 6 miles south of Garden Court. Ramps to Interstate 76 are about 2.5 miles east of the community. I-76 connects to major highways such as Interstates 95 and 676. Cyclists can use bike lanes on Spruce Street and South 48th Street.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Debbie McLaughlin,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Clark Park
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Malcolm X Park
Playground
Events
Barkan Park
Playground
Cedar Park
Playground
Max Paul Park
Walnut Hill Community Playground
Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary
Transit
Airport
Philadelphia International
19 min drive
Bus
48th St & Spruce St
Bus
Spruce St & 50th St
Bus
Spruce St & 49th St
Bus
Spruce St & 47th St
Bus
48th St & Larchwood Av
Bus
48th St & Pine St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Garden Court
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Garden Court Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Garden Court, Philadelphia sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Garden Court, Philadelphia over the last 12 months is $1,300,000, up 213% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 4910 Pine St., a remarkable, fully restored Victorian in the highly desirable University City. This home features breathtaking landscape out front and a sunroom as you enter the home. As you enter the living room, you have exposed brick, a fireplace featuring the original mantle, and a half bath. The home has a yellow ribbon, fully restored hardwood floors, and central air. The dining
This one bedroom, one bath condo in the Historic Garden Court Condominium building is perfect for anyone seeking a peaceful location close to so much. Your condo fee includes access to a well-equipped gym, party room with pool table, lending library, heated indoor pool , heat and hot water. It includes a combination washer and dryer.Built in 1923, the building retains the art deco charm of
Make an offer on this sunny, southwest-facing end-of-row townhouse at the corner of 50th & Pine Sts.! Flexible sellers will consider an interest rate buydown, seller assist, whatever works for you. The house is move-in ready and unusually large – 1856 sf on the 1st & 2nd floors, PLUS a finished basement with a built-in garage. Located in the historic 1920s Garden Court neighborhood of
Live in Style at Olympic Tower – Modern Living in the Heart of West PhiladelphiaDiscover upscale urban living at Olympic Tower, where modern finishes meet unbeatable convenience. Each apartment is thoughtfully designed with:Fresh white cabinetrySleek quartz countertopsStainless steel appliances, including dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, oven/stove combo, and
Serene large 1 bedroom in a park like setting in the Historic Garden Court Building. Available July 1st! This beautiful unit boasts a large foyer with coat closet, galley kitchen with updated cabinetry and granite countertops, dining room, living room, large bedroom with ensuite bath. Oversize windows throughout the unit flood the space in natural light. In unit Washer/Dryer and plenty of
Leila MooreBHHS Fox & Roach At the Harper, Rittenhouse Square
Set on charming Pine Street in West Philadelphia, Garden Court Towers Apartments are conveniently located in the University City neighborhood and feature a great mix of studio, one, and two bedroom units.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Debbie McLaughlin,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,361
Median Age
35
Population Density
47 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$67,624
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$96,398
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.6%
College Graduates
71.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
99/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
81/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
