Sizing Up Philly’s New Condo Landscape

Sizing Up Philly’s New Condo Landscape

  • Douglas Pearson
  • 04/13/22

New condos lure buyers with visually arresting details that find a permanent place in your mind, much like fantastic works of art. With gleaming hardwood floors, stunning views, and high-end amenities, a new luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia can be your ideal forever home. Over the past several years, hundreds of condos have been constructed in Center City — buyers can now choose from sprawling new residences in the area's marquee neighborhoods: Society Hill, Art Museum, Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

The real estate market in Philadelphia continues to be strong while showing some signs of leveling out. Last year, home prices in Philadelphia rose 20% over the summer but closed out 2021 up 10%. While experts don’t characterize it as a cooling market, some say homebuyers are moving slowly in response to limited inventory.

Still, the homebuying market is considered healthy, and Philadelphia’s new condos are the epitome of the city’s luxury market. Should you find yourself seeking a luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia, here’s a survey of some of the most exciting developments.

The high life in Society Hill at 500 Walnut

The ultra-exclusive condo 500 Walnut in Society Hill is adjacent to Independence National Historical Park and the landmark 18th-century row houses lining the leafy streets of neighboring blocks. The building — where residences sport floor-to-ceiling windows — offers amenities that include robotic parking and touchless, nonstop elevator service to each unit. A 50-foot lap pool, a spacious fitness center and spa, a billiard room, a 4,000-square-foot open-air terrace overlooking Independence Hall, and a boardroom with a fully equipped catering kitchen are additional luxury amenities residents can expect to take advantage of when living at 500 Walnut.

The building’s crown jewel is a jaw-dropping 8,400-square-foot penthouse with an imposing 2,500 square feet of outdoor space. The floorplan, which can be customized to suit its buyer’s taste, is configured to allow three large bedrooms, four full baths, and three half baths. Outdoor areas span two terraces that can accommodate features such as a pool, kitchen, or fireplace. Anyone on the market for a luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia should put 500 Walnut on their list of possibilities.

Indoor-outdoor allure at 2100 Hamilton in Art Museum

The 27-unit condo 2100 Hamilton is in the center of the Art Museum neighborhood, with proximity to the world-class institutions of the Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Hamilton Street building was designed by the award-winning architect Cecil Baker, emphasizing indoor-outdoor living. A half-acre garden is constructed onto the property, and there is also a 40-foot-long water wall and reflecting pool built into the landscape.

The building’s interiors offer respite from the city outside, as seen in this 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom residence. Hardwood floors run throughout each apartment, and there are gas fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom of each unit. All condos in the building have expansive balconies with retractable glass doors and are heated from above so that the outdoor space becomes a seamless extension of the indoor space.

Kitchens have quartz countertops and Sub-Zero refrigerators, among other high-end touches. Master baths sport oversized glass-walled showers where the glass frosts for privacy when you touch a button.

Cutting-edge architecture at 301 South Broad Street

The world-class architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox designed Arthaus, located at 301 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts. The ultra-modern, 108-unit high-rise features units with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer dramatic views of the entire Philadelphia skyline.

The luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia has a first-of-its-kind glass-enclosed greenhouse on the rooftop. The amenity allows residents access to all four seasons no matter what month the calendar is showing. Other amenities include a fitness center, a 75-foot lap pool with a hot tub, a sundeck, grill stations, and a library.

A representative unit currently on the market in the building is a 2,030 square-foot three-bedroom with highly aesthetic design choices such as seven-inch width hardwood floors, a corner balcony with a northwest view, and a walk-in closet in the master bedroom.

Glamorous trappings at the Laurel in Rittenhouse

At 1911 Walnut Street in posh Rittenhouse Square, the under-construction Laurel will be the tallest new condo to rise in Philadelphia, reaching 48 stories. The luxe skyscraper is designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz, with interiors by ForrestPerkins.

The Laurel will have a private club for residents on its 26th floor as well as indoor and outdoor pools, locker rooms with saunas and showers, a Town Car service exclusive to the building, 24-hour security, valet parking, a fitness center, and a pet spa.

The unit mix in the building includes quarter-floor condos, half-floor units, and penthouses reaching a lavish 9,000 square feet. All layouts have balconies, smart-home tech, and great rooms. Although still rising, the Laurel will raise the bar for what a  luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia can offer.

Reinvigorating Fitler Square at One Riverside

Although the 68-unit, 22-story condo at One Riverside was completed a few years ago, the development is still a strikingly new presence in Fitler Square, the residential area west of Rittenhouse that hugs the Schuylkill River.

The building boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center, business area, private garden, valet garage parking, 24-hour concierge service, and a terrace with an outdoor kitchen.

A two-bedroom, two-bathroom currently on the market in the condo has an open floor plan with hardwood floor and floor-to-ceiling windows that align the entire unit. The master bathroom has marble floors, an oversized glass shower, and a jetted tub, and the kitchen has premium appliances and sophisticated finishes.

Center City’s glamorous and varied neighborhoods now have a selection of enticing new developments for prospective buyers to pick from. If you’re on the market for a luxury condo for sale in Philadelphia, an experienced real estate agent can guide you through the exciting options available. 

Real estate agent Doug Pearson is one of the most successful agents in the greater Philadelphia luxury market, and he can be that guide for you. Call Doug today for assistance in finding the new condo of your dreams in Philadelphia.



Work With Douglas

With decades of sales and marketing successes behind him, Doug Pearson is a leading Realtor in the greater Philadelphia area and a top salesperson in Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty. He has extensive experience selling new construction and land along with estate homes, city condominiums, and investment properties.