Sharswood Neighborhood Overview
Overview
Sharswood is a residential neighborhood in North Philadelphia, bounded roughly by Girard Avenue to the south, Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the north, Broad Street to the east, and the Schuylkill River to the west. Historically, it was a working-class community of European immigrants before becoming a predominantly African American neighborhood in the mid-20th century. Its location offers proximity to major employment and cultural centers, including Temple University and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while maintaining a distinct, close-knit residential character.
The neighborhood's history is deeply intertwined with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). For decades, the Norman Blumberg Apartments, a large public housing complex, dominated the area. In the 2010s, PHA embarked on a massive, ongoing redevelopment project known as the Sharswood/Blumberg Choice Neighborhoods Transformation. This initiative, one of the largest of its kind in the city, aims to replace distressed public housing with a mixed-income community, representing a pivotal chapter in Sharswood's ongoing evolution.
Housing & Real Estate
Sharswood's housing stock is a mix of classic Philadelphia rowhomes, twins, and some semi-detached homes, many featuring the distinctive architectural styles of the early 20th century. The neighborhood also includes a significant number of apartment buildings, most notably the newly constructed mixed-income apartments replacing the former Blumberg towers. This transformation is fundamentally reshaping the real estate landscape, introducing modern rental units alongside the existing, often more affordable, homeownership stock.
Price ranges are currently in flux but remain among the more accessible in this section of Philadelphia, attracting first-time homebuyers and investors. The redevelopment plan deliberately includes a mix of market-rate, affordable, and public housing units to foster economic diversity. Recent trends show increased development interest and gradual price appreciation, though Sharswood is still considered a neighborhood in the early stages of significant change, presenting both opportunity and challenges related to affordability and displacement.
Schools & Education
Sharswood is served by the School District of Philadelphia. Key public schools include the William D. Kelley School, a K-8 facility located within the neighborhood, and Benjamin Franklin High School on the eastern edge. The presence of Temple University, just across Cecil B. Moore Avenue, is a major educational and institutional force, offering community resources, employment, and potential pathways to higher education for local residents.
Educational options also include several nearby charter schools, such as the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School. The neighborhood's ongoing redevelopment includes a focus on cradle-to-career pipelines, with initiatives aimed at supporting youth through after-school programs and community centers. The quality of local schools remains a central concern for families and a critical factor in the neighborhood's long-term stability and growth.
Parks & Recreation
The neighborhood's primary green space is the expansive 340-acre Fairmount Park system, which borders Sharswood to the west and north along the Schuylkill River. Residents have direct access to the park's trails, scenic drives, and wooded areas, offering a significant recreational asset rare for an inner-city neighborhood. The nearby Please Touch Museum and the Mann Music Center are also located within this park area, providing cultural amenities.
Community-focused recreation is centered on the Mallory Recreation Center, which offers athletic fields, playgrounds, and programming. A key component of the Sharswood redevelopment is the new state-of-the-art Sharswood Community Center, which includes a gymnasium, computer lab, and meeting spaces designed to serve as a hub for youth and family activities. These facilities are vital for fostering community health and cohesion.
Local Dining & Shopping
Local dining and retail options in Sharswood are currently limited but evolving, reflecting its residential nature and history. The commercial corridor along Ridge Avenue and 22nd Street features essential services, corner stores, and a handful of long-standing neighborhood eateries and takeout spots. For a wider variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes, residents often travel to the bustling hubs of Brewerytown to the north or the Girard Avenue corridor to the south.
Grocery access has been a historical challenge, but the neighborhood is served by a Fresh Grocer on Cecil B. Moore Avenue and several smaller markets. The redevelopment plan includes provisions for new commercial and retail space, with the goal of attracting more businesses to serve the growing residential population. Future development is expected to gradually expand the neighborhood's local commercial footprint.
Who Lives Here
Sharswood is a community in transition, home to a mix of long-term, multi-generational African American families, new residents drawn by affordable housing opportunities, and individuals living in the newly developed mixed-income apartments. The community vibe is one of resilience and cautious optimism, as long-standing residents navigate the profound changes brought by the large-scale redevelopment happening around them. There is a strong sense of history and community identity.
Today, Sharswood attracts a diverse group: urban pioneers and first-time homebuyers seeking value near Center City, Temple University affiliates looking for convenient housing, and families participating in the PHA's rebuilt community. The neighborhood appeals to those interested in being part of a tangible, large-scale urban transformation project, with all its complexities. The future character of Sharswood will depend heavily on the successful integration of these old and new populations into a cohesive, supported community.