Brewerytown is a neighborhood adjacent to the Art Museum district in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An unofficial region, Brewerytown runs approximately between the Schuylkill River's eastern bank and 23rd Street, bounded by Cecil B. Moore Avenue in the north and Parrish Street in the south. As its name suggests, Brewerytown is so called because of the numerous breweries which were located along the Schuylkill during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is now primarily a residential neighborhood, with an active commercial sector along Girard Avenue. Despite struggling with poverty in recent decades, Brewerytown has seen a recent influx of young professionals, and it is considered a neighborhood on the rise.
Brewerytown sits directly north of the Art Museum/Fairmount neighborhood, which over the past 10 years has seen home prices and rents skyrocket far beyond the reach of many Philadelphians seeking a vibrant, safe and conveniently located neighborhood. Brewerytown has been getting a great deal of attention lately as the next logical location where development will move. In fact, Girard Avenue is now recognized by Philadelphia’s Center City District as the Northern border of Center City. The neighborhood offers great access to major highways such as 676 and Kelly Drive, which are just two blocks away, offering immediate access to the suburbs, airport and points beyond. In addition, Brewerytown is just 7 blocks away from the Art Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, Rodin Museum and The Franklin Institute along with the many other cultural attractions in and around the Parkway.
There is a very large residential development project currently under development on 30th-33rd, Girard Avenue north to Oxford Streets by Westrum Development (www.westrum.com). Westrum is building up to 800 units of market rate new construction in the area including lofts, townhouses and renovated row homes. A supermarket is slated for Westrum’s site at the corner of 31st and Girard Avenue.
There is also a major streetscape improvements plan to upgrade all of Girard Avenue from W. College Avenue to 33rd Street. The plan includes assisting property owners with façade work, improved landscaping, public art and signage and pedestrian-friendly street lighting. The goal is to make Girard Avenue a Main Street shopping, residential and community destination. The first phase, street lighting, was completed in the fall of 2009.
