Curbed Cup 1st Round: (3) Old City vs. (14) Pennsport

Old City

There’s no denying the allure of Old City, the historic neighborhood that’s experienced an impressive renaissance over the past few years. Visitors and locals are charmed by its historic sites that are neighbors to a plethora of art galleries, boutiques, and increasingly more trendy restaurants like the Little Lion. But new builds are finding their way into the fabric of this neighborhood, too, from the Bridge to the One Water Street. With the opening of the Museum of the American Revolution in April 2017, there’s no doubt that this neighborhood’s popularity is far from over.

Pennsport

This underdog took home the Curbed Cup last year, and since then things seem to have quieted down a bit in this South Philly neighborhood. But that could all change very soon, with the help of some big-time projects that are currently in the pipeline. There’s the redevelopment of Snyder Plaza, which will further connect Pennsport residents to its retail via more pedestrian walkways, as well as rumblings of the mega-project Liberty on the River, which could bring multiple residential towers, a hotel, and retail to the Delaware River waterfront. With all that in store, it’s no wonder folks are trying to get in on the neighborhood’s affordable home prices while they can.