The Art Museum District is an area of the Center City section of Philadelphia, located on the blocks that surround the city’s largest and most famous museum complex. It lies north of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from Eakins Oval/Fairmount Hill and includes Logan Square. While it’s not a large district, its residents often subdivide it into the smaller communities of Francisville, Spring Garden, Fairmount, and Brewerytown. The area is held in high regard by visitors and residents who enjoy walking the streets to see the beautifully constructed, luxury homes, many of which date back to the 19th century. The real estate here also includes a variety of restaurants and shops that add to its lively feel and social atmosphere.
Boathouse Row and Fairmount Water Works are located behind the renowned Museum of Art. The district is favored by young professionals and students because of its close proximity to the downtown area of Philadelphia and several of the city’s colleges and universities. The tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway connects the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall. Many of the region’s cultural attractions are located along this boulevard such as the Rodin Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Franklin Institute. Also along the thoroughfare there are two lovely garden spots: the Swann Memorial Fountain and Logan Square. The city’s annual Independence Day Parade travels through this parkway as well.
Centennial Starts Museum
On the country’s 100th birthday, Philadelphia hosted the United States’ first World’s Fair. The 1976 Centennial Exhibition featured several structures showcasing the nation’s art, history and industrialization achievements. The building that housed the art, Memorial Hall, was designed to remain standing after the exhibition closed.
The new museum also had a mission to do more than to just display works of art. It would also act as a school training artisans in various mediums including painting, drawing, and design work. In 1877, the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art opened and solicited donations of art works, receiving many pieces of Japanese and European paintings and decorative items which it put on display. In 1882, Clara Bloomfield Moore donated a vast collection of books, textiles, enamels, paintings, carved ivory, books, and antique furniture. The museum also received cash donations which were used to round out collections with purchases.
Museum and Area Grow in Popularity
The Art Museum Area continues to grow alongside the museum. As a result of its growth and the many other reasons to call this area home, the region is attracting an influx of people looking for luxury homes in a place where real estate holds value. In fact, the museum has experienced such heavy attendance and has such voluminous collections now that a new building designed by Frank Gehry has been commissioned. The gallery space will be unique in that the halls will be underground, located beneath the steps of the existing museum. These stairs were made famous in the film “Rocky.” Like the character in the movie, the Art Museum District is a winner on all counts!
Want to see listings located in the Art Museum? Contact Mike McCann at [email protected]. We’ll find you a home fitting of your specs, style, and budget!
