Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Built in 1929, the Drake stands as a magnificent addition to the Philadelphia skyline.

Here’s what you don’t know:

• It IS a condo building. Back in the 1970’s, they converted to condos with a less than enthusiastic welcome.
• Per public records, only five (5) units are privately held – the other 300 units are owned by one entity and are used as RENTALS.
• The penthouse units start on the 24th floor.
• Through most of the 1990’s- all penthouse units were vacant shells.
• Some penthouses housed gardens and the top penthouse had its own pool.
• The building is faced with small details of ships, mermaids, and other sea paraphernalia.

My first apartment was in the Drake in the late 1980’s when Duran Duran was on MTV and telephones had cords.

Mark Wade 
www.CenterCityCondos.com
BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors
Mark@CenterCity.com

Every Building Shines In One Way Or Another. Here Are My BEST 14 Picks For Specific Buildings:

1) Best Grounds– That would be Naval Square. Hands down- Gated, green and fantastic landscaping on over 25 acres.

2) Best Condo Pool – Waterfront Sq. There is not even a 2nd place for this category.

3) Best Parking – Either Academy House or Independence Place – All rental & always available.

4) Best Views– Two Liberty. Enough said.

5) Best Staff– Friendliest staff has got to be The Ritz. Always nice and no sass which is a good first impression for buyers.

6) Best Management– Society Hill Towers. Model of excellence here- Bev runs the place well and has for many years.

7) Best Layout/Floor Plan– Center City One at 1326 Spruce. The 1209 sf two bed units are perfect.

8) Best For Closet Space– The Philadelphian at 2401 Pa. Ave. Beyond cavernous in terms of storage.

9) Best Kept Secret– The Lippincott. See..you don’t even know where that is located (227 S. 6th St).

10) Best Low Rise– Either 1615 Spruce (the old Garden Restaurant) or maybe 725 Chestnut. Both strong and both very original in fit & finish.

11) Best Value– Lots of bang for the buck at Rivers Edge (2301 Cherry). Buy ’em if you can find ’em.

12) Best Resale Ability– Gotta’ go with Hopkinson House on Washington Sq. Always more demand than supply.

13) Best Lobby & Common Areas– I would have to say 1830 or 1900 Rittenhouse. Very old school Philadelphia. And very high on the “cache” scale.

14) Best Common Roof Deck– The Phoenix at 1600 Arch….hands down.

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors
Mark@CenterCity.com

…very common here in Center City!

I have seen a number of Center City Penthouse condos, and the one thing many have in common beyond a fantastic view is the visual presence of fairly large crack in the walls and the ceilings. From The Condos at Society Hill Towers, to new construction pieces like WaterFront Square, the issue is more prevalent than one might think.
   
To an inexperienced observer, some of these cracks, if left unattended can look downright scary. Measuring up to an inch wide and running from ceiling onto an adjoining wall, it does beg the question “Why shouldn’t I be worried about such an issue”? Although these cracks in the drywall and perhaps plaster may look frightening, they do make sense as many tall high rise condominium buildings here in Center City are subject to high winds, and of course higher winds prevail at higher heights. And buildings do shift and bend a bit- plaster and drywall are rigid and fixed- and they only thing plaster and drywall can do when exposed to movement is to crack.
   
If you have concerns, you should certainly ask your home inspector for his two cents. Just know that the issue is widespread amongst high rise condos in Philadelphia and throughout the planet.

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106