Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

* Deluxe one bedroom?
* Jumbo one bedroom?
* One bedroom plus den?
* One bedroom plus niche?
* Extra large one bedroom?

Call them anything you want, but many buildings offer these super-sized one bedroom condos, which are growing in popularity as well as demand.

I think back to the “01” units at The Murano. Over 1000 sq ft with a very large living room, these units sell almost as quickly as they come on the market.

One Riverside at 25th and Locust has a one bedroom with den unit that I think is fantastic. The “den” is really a bedroom but the design is an open floor plan that offers a buyer options on how they want to lay out their space.

Waterfront Square offers two varieties. In one style, the living room is HUGE…the other has a separate den.

Independence Place has what they call a one bedroom and niche which plays out as a large living room that can easily be cordoned off if the owner desires.

These are just a few examples. I find many buyers will change their minds and opt for a large one bedroom plus den instead of a traditional two bedroom. Often, the square footage is the same but the pricing is usually better. They realize the need to host overnight guests is really NOT a practical decision.

The waters can get muddied when buyers ask what does or does NOT constitute a bedroom.  Does it need to have an operable window to be called a bedroom? If so, then NO units at Two Liberty have any bedrooms because none of the windows open.  Direct sunlight? Then very few units at the National are true two bedrooms as the 2nd bedroom gets no natural light. Does a bedroom need a closet to be a bedroom? I doubt it.

With so many options here in the Center City Condo Market, you might find your best option is a jumbo one bedroom/one bedroom plus den.  Worthy of consideration? I think so…

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

Here is what I am told. Verify for yourself…

The owner occupancy ratio at 2101 Chestnut is 10% – 90% renters.

Waterfront Sq. is enacting a limitation on renters.

The Savoy at 1806 S. Rittenhouse has an assessment coming down the pike that is close to $28 a square foot. Needed, and in the long run, a good thing as values will climb!

Dockside at 717 S. Columbus Blvd. has been recently approved for conventional financing.

The Philadelphian at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. is making progress on the installation of new exterior balcony rails throughout.

Many more buildings are going non-smoking. Here are a few:
Society Hill Towers, Center City One, Academy House, The Rittenhouse, The Hopkinson House, The Murano, The Dorchester. Look for that list to grow substantially.

Hopkinson House is nearing completion of it’s lobby work.

2601 (2601 Pennsylvania Ave.) is upgrading it’s steam systems.

Penn’s Landing Square (130 Spruce St.) is doing work to it’s underground garage.

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

After living in the heart of downtown Center City Philadelphia for 24 years, we have decided it was time to move the hell out of town. Well, at least like 5 blocks out of the heart of town.
I personally spent 18 years in Old City. I love Old City. I lived for six years on and around Rittenhouse Square. I love Rittenhouse Square. But in my advancing years (I just turned 50), I find that a gated community with a guard at my front gate, plus a doorman, and a valet, and on-site pool and huge deck overlooking the river- is getting to be more my speed. I don’t want to be a big brain, but as a Realtor since 1989 in Center City, I KNOW my Real Estate in this town. There are many fine places to live. But I don’t think I could have made a better decision than to live at WaterFront Square.
    The unparallelled views, the service, huge private balcony off my living room, the tax abatement, two car parking, and the ground are really One-Of-A-Kind here in Philadelphia. We have shuttle service into town, and honestly- some of the nicest doormen I have met. And I know ALL the doormen in the Center City condo buildings- I am a Realtor who specializes in condo sales. I have been here a month, and have yet to hear a neighbor. Or meet one. Yippee!
    Most buyers who move to town say they want to be within walking distance of their favorite restaurants or venues. What they really mean- but don’t yet know- Is that they want to be within a taxi ride of their favorite haunts. Mr. and Mrs. Draped in Diamonds and Furs won’t be seen walking home from the Academy of Music at 10pm on a Saturday night- believe me. For the naysayers  who poo-poo the idea of living just on the outskirts of town, I have to say- You don’t know what you are missing. I live in a haven of tranquility and amenities. Two qualities of life you are not going to find en mass around Old City, or even the square.
Mark Wade
Owner – www.CenterCity.com and www.CenterCityCondos.com