About Philadelphia's Loft District

Loft District is an area of new development found north of Chinatown. There is a cluster of lofts and condominiums here replacing the rowhomes that you would find elsewhere. Many students and young professionals populate the area. Café Lift and Prohibition Taproom serve polished comfort food to locals, and Thoreau is a vegetarian BYOB that brings seasonal, healthful dining to the area. Chinatown and Northern Liberties are a quick bike ride away. Further down Spring Garden beckons the Silk City Diner, which hosts DJ nights and adds to the streetscape.

Explore more about Life in the Loft District.

Related: Lenfest Plaza Coming to the Loft District

We heard some excellent news yesterday that will further develop one of the neighborhoods that we love and work with: the Loft District.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which is just southwest of the Loft District, has announced plans for Lenfest Plaza. Think of what would happen if someone put Rittenhouse Square or the Piazza at Schmidt's at Broad and Cherry. Well, not exactly, but Lenfest Plaza will pose a similar concept in creating a bustling social space in the area.

Designs from OLIN architectural landscaping firm were approved for the 24-hour pedestrian court. The plan will include a restaurant and plenty of outdoor seating, which will complement the nearby Convention Center nicely. A renowned sculptor has been commissioned to create a unique work of art that will be displayed on the site. OLIN has worked on many museums, parks, memorials, and urban designs, including Independence National Historic Park, Dilworth Plaza, and the Comcast Center Plaza, so they know a thing or two about public spaces.

We'll keep you posted as details come in, but are you as pumped for this as we are? We really see the surrounding streets of the Loft District and the Convention Center as under-utilized. A destination like this will not only add to North Broad Street's appearance, it will make this section a more pedestrian-friendly hive and be valuable to the residents.

[Rendering from OLIN]