Center City, Philadelphia

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use American English|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Center City

| official_name =

| native_name =

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| settlement_type = Neighborhood and central business district

| image_skyline = Philadelphia from Spring Garden Street Bridge July 2016.jpg

| image_size = 300px

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| image_caption = The Schuylkill River (foreground) and Center City Philadelphia (background) in July 2016

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| image_map = CCPhilaDistrict.PNG

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Center City within Philadelphia

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| coordinates = {{Coord|39.952|-75.164|region:US-PA_type:city_scale:10000|display=title,inline}}

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| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flag|US}}}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = Pennsylvania

| subdivision_type2 = County

| subdivision_name2 = Philadelphia

| subdivision_type3 = City

| subdivision_name3 = Philadelphia

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| unit_pref = US

| area_footnotes = {{cite web |title=2018 State of Center City Philadelphia |url=https://centercityphila.org/uploads/attachments/cjg41pk8s01e4nrqdi1dso6qx-socc-2018-final-web.pdf |website=2018 State of Center City Philadelphia |publisher=centercityphila.org |access-date=23 May 2020}}

| area_total_sq_mi = 7.7

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| population_footnotes = {{cite web |title=2022 State of Center City Philadelphia |url=https://centercityphila.org/uploads/attachments/cl2s3w8150887y1qdut72k9o3-socc-2022-web-downtown-living.pdf |website=2018 State of Center City Philadelphia |publisher=centercityphila.org |access-date=23 May 2020}}

| population_total = 202000

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_density_sq_mi = 26234

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| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes

| postal_code = 19102, 19103, 19106–19107, 19109, 19146–19147

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Center City includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It comprises the area that made up the City of Philadelphia prior to the Act of Consolidation, 1854, which extended the city borders to be coterminous with Philadelphia County.

The area has grown to the second-most densely populated downtown area in the United States (after Midtown Manhattan in New York City), with an estimated 202,000 residents in 2020 and a population density of 26,234 per square mile.{{cite web |title=2022 State of Center City Philadelphia |url=https://centercityphila.org/uploads/attachments/cl2s3w8150887y1qdut72k9o3-socc-2022-web-downtown-living.pdf |website=2022 State of Center City Philadelphia |publisher=centercityphila.org |access-date=4 September 2022}}

Geography

=Boundaries=

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| header = Schuylkill Expressway near Center City

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| header_background =

| footer = Views of the Schuylkill Expressway near Center City in 2022

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| image1 = 2022-10-09 13 33 59 View east along Interstate 76 and U.S. Route 30 (Schuylkill Expressway) from the overpass for Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.jpg

| width1 = 200

| caption1 = Eastbound

| image2 = 2022-10-09 14 46 51 View west along Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) from the overpass for the rail line just east of South Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.jpg

| width2 = 200

| caption2 = Westbound

}}

Center City is bounded by South Street to the south, the Delaware River to the east, the Schuylkill River to the west, and Vine Street to the north.[http://www.centercityphila.org/docs/SOCC2015.pdf "The State of Center City 2015, page 4"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912083616/http://www.centercityphila.org/docs/SOCC2015.pdf |date=September 12, 2015 }} The district occupies the old boundaries of the City of Philadelphia before the city was made coterminous with Philadelphia County in 1854. The Center City District, which has special powers of taxation,[http://www.centercityphila.org/docs/SOCC-2008-LR.pdf "The State of Center City 2008"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905181740/http://www.centercityphila.org/docs/SOCC-2008-LR.pdf |date=September 5, 2008 }}, The Center City District and the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, May 2008. has a complicated, irregularly shaped boundary that includes much but not all of this area and also extends beyond it.{{cite web | url = http://www.centercityphila.org/ccdmap/ | title = Center City District Boundary Map | access-date = 2010-08-27 | work = Center City District web site | publisher = Center City District | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100830001115/http://www.centercityphila.org/ccdmap/ | archive-date = 2010-08-30 | url-status = dead }} The Philadelphia Police Department patrols four districts located within Center City – the 6th, 9th, 3rd, and 17th districts.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20041212112048/http://www.ppdonline.org/ops/ops_districts.php PPD Online Patrol Districts]}}, Philadelphia Police Department.

=Neighborhood features=

File:Philadelphia_Night_Skyline.jpg

File:Logan Circle Philly.JPG in 2011]]

File:CITY HALL PHILADELPHIA.jpg at night in December 2012]]

Among Center City's neighborhoods and districts are Penn's Landing, Old City, Society Hill, South Street, Washington Square West, Market East, Chinatown, Logan Square, the Museum District (located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway), Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, the Avenue of the Arts (South Broad Street), and Jewelers' Row.

Center City is home to most of Philadelphia's tallest buildings, including Philadelphia's City Hall, the second-tallest masonry building in the world and, until 1987, the tallest in Philadelphia, as well as the tallest building in the world for fourteen years (1894–1908). In March 1987, One Liberty Place broke the gentlemen's agreement not to exceed the height of the statue of William Penn atop City Hall. Upon the completion of One Liberty Place, no Philadelphia major-league sports team won a world championship for the next two decades, a phenomenon known as the "Curse of Billy Penn". In an effort to reverse the curse, a three-foot statue of Penn was affixed to the top of the Comcast Center upon its completion as the city's new tallest building in 2007. On October 29, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies won the 2008 World Series, ending the "curse".

Seven other skyscrapers now exceed the height of Penn's statue, including One Liberty Place's little sister, Two Liberty Place. The Comcast Center, which was completed in 2007, became the tallest building in Pennsylvania, 30 feet taller than One Liberty Place. In 2018, the Comcast Technology Center opened, which is now the tallest building in Philadelphia and the tallest building in the United States outside of Manhattan and Chicago. 1441 Chestnut, which is currently under construction, is also slated to be taller than City Hall. The first publicly accessible vantage point higher than City Hall opened at One Liberty Observation Deck on the 57th floor of One Liberty Place in 2015.

Other Center City skyscrapers include the BNY Mellon Center and the Three Logan Square, which houses a traffic camera used by the Philadelphia branch of the Westwood One MetroNetworks traffic service.

Across the street from City Hall is the Masonic Temple, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, a legacy of the Founding Fathers and signers of the Declaration of Independence, many of whom were Freemasons; these include George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. While Philadelphia's population declined between 1990 and 2000, Center City's population increased by 10% over that same period.

In 2007, the city designated the area bound by 11th Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Pine Street as the Gayborhood.{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20070419_New_signs_make_it_official__We_have_a_gayborhood.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430074123/http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20070419_New_signs_make_it_official__We_have_a_gayborhood.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 April 2007|title=New signs make it official: We have a 'gayborhood' - Daily News - 04/19/2007|date=30 April 2007}}

= Neighborhoods =

Economy

File:Comcast Philly.JPG in Center City, the second-tallest building in Philadelphia and 23rd-tallest building in the nation]]

File:Bassett's Ice Cream at Reading Terminal.JPG in Center City in January 2011]]

Sunoco has its headquarters in the BNY Mellon Center."[http://www.sunocoinc.com/Site/ContactSunoco/ Contact Sunoco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925001618/http://www.sunocoinc.com/site/contactsunoco |date=2009-09-25 }}." Sunoco. Retrieved on August 24, 2009. Cigna has its corporate headquarters in 2 Liberty Place.{{cite web |url=http://www.cigna.com/about_us/directions.html |title=Directions to CIGNA Corporate Offices |website=Cigna |access-date=August 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209044355/http://www.cigna.com/about_us/directions.html |archive-date= Feb 9, 2010 }} Aramark is headquartered in Center City on the east bank of the Schuylkill River on Market Street.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aramark.com/Contact.aspx |title=Contact Us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515022441/http://www.aramark.com/contact.aspx |archive-date=May 15, 2015 |website=Aramark |access-date=August 24, 2009}} Comcast is headquartered in the Comcast Center.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.comcast.com/2008annualreview/shareholder_info.html |work=Comcast 2008 Annual Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126121520/http://www.comcast.com/2008annualreview/shareholder_info.html |archive-date=November 26, 2009 |publisher=Comcast |access-date=August 24, 2009 |title=Shareholder Information }} The law firm Cozen O'Connor has its headquarters in Center City.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.cozen.com/office_detail.asp?d=1&ofid=21 |title=Offices: Philadelphia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107223504/http://www.cozen.com/office_detail.asp?d=1&ofid=21 |archive-date=2009-11-07 |website=Cozen O'Connor |access-date=November 11, 2009}} Kogan Page has its U.S. headquarters in Center City.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.koganpageusa.com/pages/ContactUs.aspx?tab=about |title=Contact |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606095710/http://www.koganpageusa.com/pages/ContactUs.aspx?tab=about |archive-date=2011-06-06 |website=Kogan Page USA |access-date=5 July 2011 |quote=Kogan Page Publishers 1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100 Philadelphia, PA 19102}}

Lincoln National Corporation moved its headquarters from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Philadelphia in 1999.Blumenthal, Jeff. "[http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/08/17/daily18.html Lincoln sells Delaware Investments]". Philadelphia Business Journal. August 19, 2009. Modified August 20, 2009. Retrieved on August 24, 2009. In Philadelphia Lincoln was headquartered in the West Tower of Centre Square in Center City."[https://web.archive.org/web/20000622021431/http://www.lfg.com/f_contct.htm Contact Us]". Lincoln National Corporation. Retrieved on August 24, 2009. In 2007, the company moved 400 employees, including its top executives, to Radnor Township from Philadelphia.

Government and infrastructure

{{See also|Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia|James A. Byrne United States Courthouse|Philadelphia City Hall}}

=Buildings=

Center City is home to some of the largest and most prominent buildings in the United States, including:

=Infrastructure=

File:US Custom House.JPG in Old City in July 2014]]

The Philadelphia Fire Department operates five fire stations in Center City:

  • Engine 1, Ladder 5, Medic 35, Battalion 1 - 711 S. Broad St.
  • Snorkel 2, Medic 44B, Battalion 4, Field Comm. Unit 1 - 101 N. 4th St.
  • Engine 11, Medic 21 - 601 South St.
  • Pipeline 20, Ladder 23, Medic 1 - 133 N. 10th St.
  • Squirt 43, Ladder 9, Medic 7 - 2108 Market St.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Northeast Region Office is in the U.S. Custom House, a part of the Independence National Historical Park, in Old City, Center City."[http://www.bop.gov/locations/regional_offices/nero/ Northeast Regional Office]". Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on June 9, 2015. "U.S. Custom House, 7th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106"

The William J. Green Jr. Federal Building houses the Federal Bureau of Investigation Philadelphia Field Office."[https://www.fbi.gov/philadelphia Philadelphia]". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved on June 9, 2015. "William J. Green, Jr. Building 600 Arch Street, 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106"

=Diplomatic offices and consulates=

The Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia is located in the 1026 Public Ledger Building at 150 South Independence Mall West.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.consfiladelfia.esteri.it/Consolato_Filadelfia |trans-title=Welcome to the web site of the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia |title=Benvenuti sul sito web del Consolato Generale d'Italia a Filadelfia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116110224/http://www.consfiladelfia.esteri.it/Consolato_Filadelfia |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |website=Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia |access-date=February 1, 2009}} The Consulate-General of Panama in Philadelphia is located in Suite 1 at 124 Chestnut Street.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.embassyofpanama.org/cms/consulates3.php |title=Panamanian Consulates in the U.S. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122041407/http://embassyofpanama.org/cms/consulates3.php |archive-date=2009-01-22 |website=Embassy of Panama in Washington D.C. |access-date=February 2, 2009}} The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia is located in Suite 310 of the Bourse Building off of Independence Mall.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://portal.sre.gob.mx/filadelfia/index.php?option=contact&Itemid=6 |title=Contactenos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302190132/http://portal.sre.gob.mx/filadelfia/index.php?option=contact&Itemid=6 |archive-date=2009-03-02 |website=Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia |access-date=February 1, 2009}}

The Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic in Philadelphia was located in Suite 216 in the Lafayette Building at 437 Chestnut Street.{{cite web |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021024030718/http://www.domrep.org/embassy/Dipmissions.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2002 |url=http://www.domrep.org/embassy/Dipmissions.htm |date=16 Jan 2002 |title=Consulates of the Dominican Republic in The United States |website=Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, DC |access-date=February 1, 2009}} It closed on November 7, 2005.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2005/11/8/6857/DR-to-close-four-consulates-in-the-USA |title=DR to close four consulates in the USA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620035546/http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2005/11/8/6857/DR-to-close-four-consulates-in-the-USA |archive-date=2009-06-20 |website=Dominican Today |date=November 8, 2005 |access-date=February 1, 2009}} The Consulate-General of Israel in Philadelphia was located on the 18th Floor at 1880 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/Document.asp?SubjectID=7030&MissionID=75&LanguageID=0&StatusID=3&DocumentID=-1 |title=Consular Services: Consular Reception Hours |website=Consulate-General of Israel in Philadelphia |access-date=February 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619200813/http://philadelphia.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/Document.asp?SubjectID=7030&MissionID=75&LanguageID=0&StatusID=3&DocumentID=-1 |archive-date= Jun 19, 2009 }} Israel closed the Philadelphia consulate in 2016.{{cite news |last=Marks |first=Jon |date=September 6, 2017 |title=A Year On, City Adjusts to Life Sans Consulate |url=https://www.jewishexponent.com/2017/09/06/year-city-adjusts-life-sans-consulate/ |work=Jewish Exponent |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|access-date=August 31, 2020}}

Education

=Public schools=

{{Further|School District of Philadelphia}}

File:Nebinger School Philly.JPG in the Bella Vista neighborhood in May 2010]]

File:Albert M. Greenfield School.jpg in Center City in April 2019]]

Residents of Center City are included within the School District of Philadelphia. From the 1940s to the opening of what is now known as the Greenfield School in 1954, many residents attended public schools in other areas and private schools due to the low number of public schools in Center City."[https://greenfield.philasd.org/about-us/ About Us]". Albert M. Greenfield School. Retrieved on April 5, 2018.

In 2005, in an attempt to slow the flight of middle-class families, the school district and Center City District, an economic development agency, launched a program that promoted public schools in Center City, including Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill, and adjacent areas in Fairmount, Northern Liberties, and South Philadelphia.{{cite web |last1=Snyder |first1=Susan |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10C2FB8DC92293C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Selling schools - to families, A new campaign touts 20 Center City sites. Its aim: Retain the middle class. Schools pitch aims at stemming flight of the middle class |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 22, 2005 |access-date=November 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195248/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10C2FB8DC92293C8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date= Mar 4, 2016 }}

K-8 schools that have attendance boundaries in Center City and areas around Center City include:"[https://archive.today/20070927031352/http://www.centercityschools.com/enrollment.php Center City Public Elementary Schools]". Center City District.

  • Albert M. Greenfield
  • It opened in September 1954 as the Center City School after the Center City Residents Association (CCRA) advocated for its establishment. It was initially housed in a YWCA and later in the former Jerrold Electronics Building. In 1964 the school district bought the site for a permanent campus, which began construction in 1966 and opened in September 1970.

Neighborhood high schools for Center City and the Center City area, located outside of Center City, include:"[http://centercityschools.com/map_n_info.php Center City Schools — Maps & Info] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20070706202854/http://centercityschools.com/map_n_info.php |date=July 6, 2007 }}." Center City District."[http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/pdf/07Directory.pdf A Guide for September 2007 High School Admissions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704025406/http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/pdf/07Directory.pdf |date=2007-07-04 }}." School District of Philadelphia."[http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/students/09Directory_English.pdf A Directory of High Schools for 2009 Admissions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106091014/http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/students/09Directory_English.pdf |date=2015-11-06 }}." School District of Philadelphia. Accessed November 6, 2008.

  • Benjamin Franklin High School
  • Furness High School"[https://web.archive.org/web/20041205214741/http://centercityschools.com/McCall/graduates.html General George A. McCall School - Where the graduates go]". Center City District.
  • South Philadelphia High School{{cite web |url=http://www.centercityschools.com/Greenfield/graduates.html |title=Albert M. Greenfield School - Where the graduates go|website=Center City District |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531033748/http://www.centercityschools.com/Greenfield/graduates.html |archive-date= May 31, 2008 }}

Other high schools include:

Combined middle and high schools include:

==Charter schools==

Charter schools not operated by the School District of Philadelphia include:{{Citation |title=Center City Schools — Maps & Info |type=website |work=Center City District |publisher=Center City District/Central Philadelphia Development Corporation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070706202854/http://centercityschools.com/map_n_info.php |url=http://centercityschools.com/map_n_info.php |archive-date=6 July 2007 }}

  • Grades 1–12:
  • Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School
  • Grades 7–12:
  • The Mastery Charter Schools system operates the Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus (7-12) in Old City. It moved from North Philadelphia to Old City in 2002."[http://www.masterycharter.org/schools/lenfest-campus/about-3.html Lenfest Campus]". Mastery Charter Schools. Retrieved on September 10, 2012. "35 South 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19106"
  • Grades 5–8:
  • Freire Charter Middle School
  • Grades 6–12:
  • World Communications Charter School
  • Grades 9–12:
  • Architecture and Design Charter School
  • Freire Charter High School
  • Mastery Charter High School
  • Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter School
  • Grades K–8:
  • Laboratory Charter School of Communication and Languages
  • Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School
  • Grades 6–8:
  • Wakisha Charter School
  • Grades K–7:
  • Christopher Columbus Charter School
  • Independence Charter School grades K–8
  • People for People Charter School
  • Grades Pre-K-8:
  • Russell Byers Charter School
  • Grades K–6:
  • Universal Institute Charter School

=Private schools=

==Roman Catholic parochial schools==

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia operates the following Roman Catholic parochial schools in the Center City area [https://web.archive.org/web/20070706202854/http://centercityschools.com/map_n_info.php]:

==Other private schools==

Other private schools in the Center City area include:

  • Grades Pre-K-12:
  • Friends Select School
  • Grades 9-12:
  • City Center Academy
  • Grades Pre-K-8:
  • St. Peter's School
  • The Philadelphia School

=Public libraries=

{{See also|Free Library of Philadelphia|Library Company of Philadelphia|Parkway Central Library}}

The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Parkway Central Library at 1901 Vine Street,"[http://libwww.freelibrary.org/branches/branch.cfm?loc=CEN Central Library]". Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on January 20, 2009. the Independence Branch at 18 South 7th Street,"[http://libwww.freelibrary.org/branches/branch.cfm?loc=IND Independence Branch]". Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on January 20, 2009. the Philadelphia City Institute on the first floor and lower level of an apartment complex at 1905 Locust Street,"[http://libwww.freelibrary.org/branches/branch.cfm?loc=PCI Philadelphia City Institute]". Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on January 20, 2009. and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at 919 Walnut Street."[http://libwww.freelibrary.org/branches/branch.cfm?loc=LBH Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped]". Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on January 20, 2009.

=Other institutions=

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is headquartered in Center City.[http://www.middlestates.org/ Home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414203800/http://www.middlestates.org/ |date=2012-04-14 }}. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Retrieved on May 12, 2015. "200 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104"

Culture

=Music and theatre=

{{See also|Avenue of the Arts (Philadelphia)}}

Center City Philadelphia is home to some of the nation and world's leading cultural institutions. Avenue of the Arts, a city-designated cultural district, includes Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which houses the Philadelphia Orchestra (a Big Five orchestra) and the Academy of Music, home of the Philadelphia Ballet and Opera Philadelphia. The avenue is home to multiple theatres, including the Miller, Suzanne Roberts, and Wilma theatres. Forrest Theatre is also located in center city, at 1114 Walnut Street.

=Museums=

Mütter Museum, a medical museum, is located in center city at 19 S. 22nd Street.

=Recreation=

Center City Philadelphia has a vast number of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. McGillin's Olde Ale House, at 1310 Drury Street, is one of the nation's oldest pubs (founded in 1860).

Transportation

{{main|Transportation in Philadelphia}}

File: 2012_Ben_Franklin_Bridge_and_Race_Street_Pier.jpg, a {{convert|2,917.86|m|sp=us}} bridge connecting Center City with Camden, New Jersey in March 2012]]

=Major highways=

=Streets and bridges=

Center city streets and bridges include Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which connects the city with Camden, New Jersey, and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a one-mile long parkway that runs from Philadelphia City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Three major center city streets are Broad, Market, and South Streets.

=Local public transit=

{{see also|SEPTA}}

There is a 500,000+ sq ft underground pedestrian concourse that connects many of the center city Septa stations to businesses and office buildings. Primarily running under Market Street and Broad Street, the concourse spans east to west from 8th street to 18th street and north to south from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Spruce Street.

=Intercity public transit=

File:30th Street Station concourse March 2019.jpeg, one of the nation's busiest passenger train stations]]

  • Greyhound at two locations:
  • 618 Market
  • JFK and 30th Street
  • Peter Pan, and various Trailways buses at 618 Market Street
  • Megabus (30th Street Station)
  • Various Chinatown bus lines (various operators & stops; most stops near 11th & Arch Streets)

Amtrak's primary Philadelphia station, 30th Street Station, is located immediately west of Center City, just across the Schuylkill River. SEPTA Regional Rail trains, New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line trains, Market-Frankford Line trains, and subway-surface line trolleys also service 30th Street Station, and both Megabus and BoltBus stop on streets adjacent to the station.

{{Asof|2016}} Taiwanese airline China Airlines provides a private bus service to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City for customers based in the Philadelphia area. This service previously stopped in Center City in front of the Marriott Hotel."[http://www.china-airlines.com/en/promotion/b7052507-c51b-4049-93f8-e5457e9e05d7.html Free Shuttle Service To/From JFK Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306024440/http://www.china-airlines.com/en/promotion/b7052507-c51b-4049-93f8-e5457e9e05d7.html |date=2016-03-06 }}." China Airlines. September 15, 2015. Retrieved on February 29, 2016.

Center City Residents' Association

The Center City Residents' Association, originally formed in 1947 to prevent Rittenhouse Square from being turned into a parking lot, is a primary advocate for quality of life issues in Center City. Other community organizations of this type include Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Society Hill Civic Association, South of South Street Neighborhood Association, Washington Square West Civic Association, and the Queen Village Neighbors Association.

Gallery

File:Center City East from One Liberty Observation Deck.jpg|The eastern portion of Center City from the One Liberty Observation Deck

image :CarpentersHall00.jpg|Carpenters' Hall

Image :LOVE Park Philly.JPG|LOVE Park with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the distant background

Image :National Museum of American Jewish History.jpg|Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Image :Friendship Gate Chinatown Philadelphia from east.jpg|Friendship Gate in Chinatown

Image:Jewelers Row.jpg|Jewelers' Row

Image:Interior Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul crop.JPG|Interior of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

Image:Curtis_building.jpg|Curtis Center

Image:Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.jpg|Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Image:Mikveh Israel Cemetery.jpg|Mikveh Israel Cemetery

Image :The Grand Court.jpg| The Grand Court at Macys Department Store (in the Wanamaker's building)

Image:Pennsylvania Hospital 2007.jpg|Pennsylvania Hospital

Image:Kimmel Center exterior-daytime.JPG|Kimmel Center

Image:Liberty Bell, Independence Hall.jpg|Independence Hall as seen from the Liberty Bell

Image:Inquirerbldgfull.jpg|Inquirer Building

Image:First national bank US HABS.jpg|First Bank of the United States

Image:Headhouse.jpg|Reading Terminal

Image:Center City Philadelphia 2018.jpg|Center City viewed from the PSFS Building

File:GardenStreetBridgeSchuylkillRiverSkylinePhiladelphiaPennsylvania.jpg|A panoramic view of Center City skyline from the northwest

See also

References

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