Curbed Cup 1st Round: (2) Old City vs. (15) Tacony

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!

Old City

As one nomination put it, “While our name may be ‘Old’ City, we welcomed a number of new businesses this year.” There’s now Lokal Hotel, that boutique hotel designed by Jersey Ice Cream Co. that’s blown up everyone’s Instagram feeds. The Museum of the American Revolution opened its doors in April, becoming the city’s first museum to open since the Barnes. And the apartment building Bridge welcomed its first residents and forever changed the neighborhood’s skyline. But a new resident says that what really makes Old City thrive is the people. “From the mailman to the local shop owners to the pets’ names in the local shops, my family and I bounce around like we are all old friends. This is the neighborhood where everyone knows your name.”

Photo by Mural Arts for Tacony Lab

Tacony

You won’t find major mixed-use developments and big-name retailers in Tacony. Here’s what you will discover: A thriving retail corridor with local businesses setting up shop. A beautiful historic library made for the 21st century. A riverfront packed with potential, including a new charter school. The long-time residential neighborhood has seen small, but significant changes thanks to efforts by the Tacony Development Community Corporation, which has played a role in attracting new businesses, artists, and more to its streets. It may be described as one of those “middle neighborhoods” that’s somewhere between success and distress, but Tacony is arguably on the up and up.

Which neighborhood should advance: Historic Old City or thriving Tacony? Polls are open for 24 hours!