Girard Estate is a neighborhood in South Philadelphia bounded by Passyunk to Oregon Avenues, 17th to 25th Streets. The Girard Estate historic district the only one in South Philly is roughly bounded by 17th to 22nd Streets, Porter to Shunk Streets and 21st to 22nd Streets, Passyunk to Shunk.

The area was established by the deed of Stephen Girard, a French merchant who landed in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. In 1797, he purchased a farm he named “The Places” at the southern end of Philadelphia County, an area known as Passyunk Township. The original farmhouse, along with the two later additions built by Girard, still stand today at 21st and Shunk streets. When he died in 1831, most of his $6-million estate was left to the City of Philadelphia. Girard’s will stated; however, the city must establish a college for poor boys in his name, and his house must not be sold. In response to the second stipulation, the Board of Recreation Tours of City Trusts developed Girard Estate, which initially were all rental homes, between 1907 and 1916. The planning of these homes was loosely based on the “Garden City” concept by Ebenezer Howard and were designed by the father-and-son team of James and John Windrim. Envisioned as a low density, semi-suburban setting with modest lawns and cottage-like twin houses, the Girard Estate homes reflect the popular styles of the early 20th century. In 1950, the city received permission to sell all 481 homes to private owners. Within two years, all were sold.

Outside of the Girard Estate historical district, two-story brick rowhomes built in late 1910s and 1920s are most prevalent. Within the district, architect James H. Windrim, along with son John, built semi-detached homes from 1906-16 in many styles, including bungalow, prairie, mission, Jacobean revival and Colonial revival. Homeowners must follow guidelines set by the Philadelphia Historical Commission to preserve the aesthetics of the homes and Girard Estate stands today as the architectural jewel of South Philadelphia.

Sold properties in South Philly:
2033 Sigel St
1730 Sigel St
1606 S Taney St
2067 Mercy St
2006 S Garnet St
1919 Hoffman St
1944 S 22nd St
2210 S Colorado St
2331 S Carlisle St
2617 S Carlisle St
2843 S Smedley St
2220 S Colorado St
2323 S Woodstock St
2528 S rosewood St
2335 S Chadwick St
2449 S Woodstock St
2615 Emily St
2328 S Mole St
2642 S Mole St
2843 Smedley St
1707 Wolf St
2335 S Mole St
2627 S 17th St
1410 Jackson St

2322 S 17th St
2743 S 18th St
1446 S Etting St
1343 S Newkirk St
1224 Durfor St
1105 Winton St
2413 S Lawrence St
349 Durfor St
2743 S 9th St
2809 S 9th St
2421 S Lee St
643 Pierce St
2702 S Darien St
1224 Durfor St
2812 S Alder St
2718 S 10th St
2423 S Juniper St
1212 Daly St
2318 S 9th St
150 Roseberry St
2603 S 9th St
1136 Porter St
1322 W Porter St
2740 S 10th St
771-75 S 2nd St #H
638 Fitzgerald St
2331 S 7th St
2447 S Reese St
529 Watkins St