Curbed Cup 1st Round: (5) Graduate Hospital vs. (15) Kensington

Graduate Hospital

Last year, Graduate Hospital was expected to be the “hottest” neighborhood of 2016—at least in terms of its real estate. At this point, many would argue that it’s no longer so “hot”—more like “established.” Yet, development is still rapid here. A modular luxury condo building is being dropped in the neighborhood at this moment, and restaurants and retail are coming with it. No, homes here are certainly not bargain buys, but in the end it’s the location and people that makes it great, argues commenter Girasoul: “Just south of Rittenhouse and Center City, this is truly one of the most walkable and commutable neighborhoods in all of Philadelphia [...] We also have a beautiful rainbow mix of people.”

M Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Kensington

Kensington nearly took the Curbed Cup in 2015, and for good reason. This North Philly neighborhood—which encompasses a series of sub-neighborhoods, including East, Olde, South, and West Kensington—is rapidly transforming into a real estate market jackpot, as buyers and developers eye its land and industrial warehouses. Says commenter littlejawn, “It’s still affordable (but might not be in a year or two) to buy a house that’s in good enough condition to update yourself.” Meanwhile, big mixed-use projects are in the works, like Techadelphia, which is poised to cater to millennials and entrepreneurs, and the 176,000-square-foot retail and residential development Woods Square.