| Much like fashion, restaurants, and bedspreads at | | | | 7 provide sweeping skyline views. Rental parking |
| Restoration Hardware, the popularity and demand for | | | | across the street. A tastefully appointed non-doorman |
| specific Philadelphia condo buildings does come in and | | | | building with existing tax abatement. Very close to |
| out of vogue. Though essentially a buyers market, the | | | | Jefferson Hospital. |
| following ten Center City condos have withstood the | | | | 108 Arch at 108 Arch St: Sleek, modern and decidedly |
| test of time, and generally garner more interest from | | | | gorgeous inside and out. One, two, and three bedroom |
| buyers than sellers. Usually noted with low inventory | | | | condos with some really hip, modern touches |
| levels, a good track record of previous sales, and/or a | | | | throughout. Reeks of quality, with good ceiling height in |
| strong association, these condos rise to the top of the | | | | all condos, great light, existing tax abatement, and all |
| Philadelphia condo market in 2009. In no particular | | | | units (except one) have parking. Nicest front door staff |
| order, here are our picks at for the Best Philadelphia | | | | in town. Open kitchens, great closet space, over-sized |
| Center City Condo buildings: | | | | windows, and a simple yet eye-catching exterior. |
| Locust Point at 2425 Locust St: With 110 units, on-site | | | | Elevators open up directly inside the larger condo units |
| parking, and next to the Schuylkill River Jogging Trail, | | | | which exist above the 5th floor. The scale of each unit |
| this building really shines. Great value, a terrific sales | | | | gives the sense of space and elbow room and avoids |
| record, and FHA approved, Locust Point demonstrated | | | | any claustrophobic feelings. |
| it's desirability by selling out when other buildings in town | | | | The Palladian at 2138 Lombard St: The Fitler Square |
| stood still. Not to mention the integration into a fine | | | | area low-rise condo building which you have never |
| residential neighborhood, and proximity to University Of | | | | heard of. And that can be a good thing. Six units total, |
| Penn. A great mix of one and two bedroom condos. | | | | each with parking and private outdoor space, capped |
| Common areas have been refinished, and many | | | | with two over-sized penthouse units. Nice ceiling height |
| common elements replaced (windows!) throughout the | | | | inside each condo unit, fantastic access to I-676, and |
| building. A Gem! | | | | great neighborhood restaurants within a stones throw, |
| Hopkinson House at 604 S. Washington Sq.: Sitting on | | | | The Palladian offers convenient city living with garage |
| the south side of Washington Square, with a mix of | | | | parking in a non-doorman, low rise elevator building. |
| studio, one and two bedroom units, The Hopkinson | | | | Rarely are units available for sale. |
| House has a high owner-occupancy ratio, and rental | | | | 251 S. 24th St: One of the few true loft styled condo |
| garage parking on-site. All new windows were recently | | | | buildings west of Broad St. in the Fitler Square area of |
| added, and the building has a solid reputation for being | | | | Center City. All units have parking, existing tax |
| well managed. Roof Top pool, and most units have | | | | abatement, and offer a "soft loft" approach to city |
| outside balconies. Many corner units, and great light are | | | | living. Great proximity to the Schuylkill River jogging trail, |
| common for this value oriented high rise. Half the units | | | | and not far from Rittenhouse Sq. Rarely available, and |
| face Washington Square Park, the other half face | | | | when these units do appear, they vanish quickly. A |
| sunny south. | | | | great addition to the area as the style is generally of |
| The Murano at 2101 Market St: Exceedingly strong | | | | this mid rise Center City condo building is not too |
| curb appeal, 302 units are found inside this high rise | | | | prevalent in the 19103 zip code. Finished in 2002, with a |
| condo building with beautiful common areas, swimming | | | | wide variety of sized units. Most buyers bought |
| pool, friendly front door staff, and parking. Oh, and floor | | | | pre-construction and developer gave quite a bit of |
| to ceiling windows, great views, and a new pricing | | | | latitude in finishing options. No two units look or feel the |
| structure makes The Murano one of the strongest | | | | same. |
| buys in a Center City condo in today's market. One of | | | | 2201 Cherry St. at 2201 Cherry St: Value packed one |
| the best on-site gyms, and sunning decks in town, tax | | | | and two bedroom condo units in this rarely noticed mid |
| abated, and sleek kitchen designs, not to mention the | | | | rise condo building sitting on 22nd Street. All units have |
| sweeping views. Even on the 9th floor, the views can | | | | outside space and parking. Though curb appeal is a bit |
| far exceed the competitors offerings. | | | | bland, 2201 offers a unique opportunity in the 19103 zip |
| Le Grenier at 1034 Spruce St: Sitting on the corner of | | | | code- value, low condo fees and parking all wrapped |
| 11th and Spruce Streets, this mid-rise condo building is | | | | up inside a well managed building. Eleven stories tall, |
| stunning both inside and out. A quiet 19 unit association. | | | | clad in white stucco with just a few units per floor. |
| No two units sit adjacent to each other- all are | | | | Poplar for its proximity to the business district and |
| separated by either a bank of elevators, or common | | | | easy access to the train station and major highways. |
| emergency staircases- so you won't hear your | | | | All units offer nice light, good closet space, and some |
| neighbors! Petite one and two bedroom units with a | | | | units have exceptional views. One of the strongest |
| modern hip design, floor to ceiling window. Floors 6 and | | | | values in a Center City condo. |