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Curbed Cup 1st Round: (4) East Passyunk vs. (13) Callowhill

Which neighborhood should advance to the second round?

East Passyunk

This neighborhood took the trophy back in 2013, and since then we’ve watched its popularity continue to rise with every new restaurant and boutique opening. Just this past year the South Philly hot spot was named one of the coolest neighborhoods this year, described as “prime hipness.” And Travel+Leisure recently noted its diversity. So what makes it so attractive? Its vibrant avenue that cuts through South Philly certainly helps. East Passyunk Avenue is lined with an array of delicious and noteworthy restaurants, plus a mix of mom-and-pop shops and local boutiques. It’s no wonder homes here are getting snatched up just days after hitting the market.

Hmmm.... Pic by @oskhernandez. #springartsPHL #latergram

A photo posted by Spring Arts District (@springartsphl) on

Callowhill

This artsy neighborhood just off North Broad has attracted artisans to its many makers spaces and loft-like residences in recent years. One developer, Arts+Crafts Holdings, recently teamed up with Mural Arts to create the city’s first rotating arts gallery. But with the groundbreaking of the Rail Park in its backyard, Callowhill is poised for take off, with plenty of developers eyeing its industrial buildings for adaptive reuse or new builds. As commenter vgdimaria points out, “The neighborhood remains a unique mix of building typologies and uses, and many of the industrial buildings are still used as commercial spaces. As an extension of the Chinatown neighborhood to the south, Callowhill maintains a diverse and vibrant population.”