Curbed Cup 1st round: (8) Fitler Square vs. (9) East Passyunk

The Curbed Cup, our annual award for the neighborhood of the year, is kicking off with 16 neighborhoods vying for the prestigious (fake) trophy. Let the eliminations commence!

Fitler Square (8)

There is no denying the charm of Fitler Square. With ritzy Rittenhouse Square to its north and the Schuylkill River Trail to its west, the leafy neighborhood is in a prime spot and its streets lined with picture-perfect rowhomes. But it’s seen some big developments this year: It’s now home to One Riverside, a condo high-rise built from the ground up right on the Schuylkill River. And next year, it’ll be home to Aramark’s new HQ and a private lifestyle club at 2400 Market. All the while, the neighborhood’s traditional rowhomes continue to be transformed and modernized. There’s no denying that changes are afoot in Fitler Square.

Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

East Passyunk (9)

East Passyunk won its first Curbed Cup a few years ago at the height of its restaurant boom, but as one nomination put it, “East Passyunk Avenue is still red hot and always full of surprises.” Its restaurant scene continues to be one of the most touted in the city, and the neighborhood continues to pull in new hot spots like Barcelona Wine Bar. Amid its continued popularity, it maintains those classic South Philly neighborhood community vibes. Says another nomination, “There is more diversity now and a nice mingling of the long-time residents with newer arrivals.”

So, what neighborhood should advance: Fitler Square or East Passyunk? Voting is open for exactly 24 hours, so to the polls!