The Quick Guide to Types of Homes in Philadelphia

One of the greatest things about real estate in Philadelphia is that the city has a variety of housing options that offer something for everyone. No matter what aesthetic catches your eye, there is a type of home or condo in Philadelphia that will tick all the boxes for you.

Cities evolve over time and the housing stock tells a story. Philadelphia is a perfect example of this with a diverse mix of historic homes (what’s more historic than the birthplace of America) and modern architectural feats with high rise buildings and the use of modern materials.

Below, we’ve compiled a quick guide on some of the most popular types of homes in Philadelphia, including their key features and the most common neighborhoods to find them.

Historic Rowhouses

As you pass through some sections of Philadelphia, you will feel transported to another era in time as the historic rowhouses that line the street and exude the look and charm of colonial Philadelphia. These historic homes stand out with their notable Federalist and Georgian styles dating back to the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Federal and Georgian style rowhouses are very similar with a few key differences in ornamentation. Both styles are typically two to four-story, narrow structures with brick or stone facades, and are known for their symmetry. The details of Federal homes are more delicate than their Georgian counterparts. 

The most common neighborhoods to find historic rowhouses include Society Hill, Old City, and Queen Village.

20th Century Rowhouses

In the late 19th century and into the 20th century, there was a transition in the architectural style of Philadelphia rowhouses away from the austere, colonial grandeur in favor of more mass-market architecture. The key styles of this transition range from a Workingman’s House and Street Car rowhouses to the Porchfront and Straight-Through townhouses of the Post-War era.

If you’ve ever seen the early Rocky movies, as Sylvester Stallone’s character steps out of his home to get ready for his run through the streets, the rows of attached homes is an example of the more modern rowhouses compared to the historic colonial ones. 

A Workingman’s House has its key features of two stories, simple steps, and vestibule entry. This style of rowhouse is common in North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia.

Porchfront and Straight-Through townhouses on the other hand are known for their front yards, entry porch and bay windows. These homes can be found in Northeast Philadelphia, East Mount Airy, Roxborough, East Falls, Francisville, and Southwest Philadelphia.

Condos & High-Rise Living

While Philadelphia is predominantly a city of rowhouses, there are also great options for local residents who prefer high-rise living. There is a different style of living when it comes to luxury condos. In addition to views of the city being perched above in a high-rise building, many condo buyers seek the various amenities (fitness center, roof terrace, etc.) that these new luxury buildings offer.

In a low-rise housing city like Philadelphia, it’s certainly easy to spot the high-rise condo buildings clustered near Center City. The most common neighborhoods to find these high-rises include Society Hill, Rittenhouse Square, and core Center City. 

New Construction Townhouses and Condos

Over the past decade, there has been a real estate boom with waves of new construction throughout various neighborhoods in Philadelphia. A few examples of this are Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Kensington and Point Breeze - neighborhoods that have witnessed new development of extremely modern, and in some cases, futuristic housing options.

The combination of more advanced construction technology and materials with a new generation of architectural design is bringing a new look to areas with rapid development. There is a rise of new construction townhouses, both single-family and low-rise condo buildings, that include a mix of glass, metal, and other modern materials. These home types tend to let in more natural light and include more smart home features.

Freestanding Single Family Homes

Philadelphia isn’t just about rowhomes and condos. Many neighborhoods in the city offer freestanding single family homes, many of which are made of beautiful, locally sourced stone. You’ll find modern and historic houses at all ranges of pricing mixed together in areas such as Roxborough, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, Germantown and Northeast Philadelphia, to name a few.

The Secret Weapon

No matter what your budget is, Philadelphia offers a diverse panoply of different housing options. From modern studio condos in Center City to expansive historic mansions in Chestnut Hill, there’s something for everyone. This is one of the great features of this wonderful city. 

No matter what type of property you purchase, using a tech-enabled brokerage like Prevu will add value to your transaction. Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate will refund up to 1% of the purchase prices back to you after settlement, making every transaction a lot more affordable!

Browse listings in your favorite Philadelphia neighborhoods.