Nearby Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Poplar, Franklintown, Spring Arts, Northern Liberties
Known for: Breweries, Industrial loft condos, Music scene, Proximity to Chinatown
This pocket of Philadelphia has many names and many boundaries. We’ve heard this neighborhood referred to as Spring Arts, Callowhill, Spring Garden, Chinatown North, West Poplar, the Loft District, and Trestletown. Mostly farmlands until the mid-19th century, it became the booming manufacturing center of the city. Now art is king which is apparent in the many murals and co-working spaces in the neighborhood, threading the community together. Spring Arts isn’t just a place where products are made, it’s a place where ideas are born.
Back in the day, we called this area Eraserhood, a nod to Eraserhead, the surreal, nightmarish 1977 head-scramble of a film by David Lynch, the acclaimed director of the some of the most influential films and television of the past 30 years: The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks. Lynch lived in the neighborhood for a time in the mid-’60s, and the area sparked the first flames of creative vision. In the present day, it is a nightmare no more, although it holds tightly onto a bit of the past grit. With old factories converted into stunning condos, it attracts New York transplants and young professionals.
The Philadelphia Rail Park adds green space in the style of the Highline in NYC and has plans to expand further and add more green space in future phases. This creative park highlights the history of this industrial revolution neighborhood. You will find music venues, a variety of local breweries and restaurants, all with a vibe that is closely connected to arts and to this pocket community. Under a mile walk to Center City and nearby neighborhoods plus easy access to I-676 makes commuting a breeze. Enjoy the blooming trees, industrial architecture, and abundant parking - you’re home!
With its current moniker of Philadelphia’s “Little Italy”, Bella Vista prides itself on celebrating the best of Italian history and culture. In recent years, the neighborhood has become even more diverse, with growing Vietnamese and Mexican immigrant populations. The history of Bella Vista is vast, and one of the neighborhood’s modern highlights is the availability of different cuisine options.