Queen Village Condominiums

Queen Village offers residents a quiet alternative to the action of nearby South Street. From historic townhouses to apartments and condominiums, Queen Village real estate has options for families, students or young professionals.  Queen Village Condominiums have brought additional development to the neighborhood, making it popular with young families and professionals. Just south of Society Hill, Queen Village gives residents shaded streets just blocks from a trendy night life, legendary cheese steak stands and boutique shopping. Queen Village is bounded on the south by Washington Street, on the north by Lombard Street, on the east by the Delaware River and on the west by 6th Street.Swedish settlers came to what is now Pennsylvania well before William Penn arrived. They settled along the Delaware River from Wilmington in the south to Trenton, NJ in the north. Queen Village was originally owned by a Swedish family. The Dutch took over briefly, but the land eventually was owned by the king of England, who gave the charter for Pennsylvania to William Penn. In 1700, Old Swedes Church, (Gloria Dei), now a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, was built as a Swedish Lutheran church. Penn called the area “Southwark” after a London neighborhood. In the 1970s the name was changed to Queen Village in honor of Queen Christina of Sweden. Southwark was divided into two townships: Moyamensing and Passyunk. The area developed quickly in the early 1800s, primarily fueled by the shipping industry and those who served it. Because of the Philadelphia Quakers’ aversion to theatres, early entertainment venues were established in Southwark. In 1808 Sparks’ Shot Tower was built so that the US Army could make shot for the War of 1812. It is still standing. A new federal naval shipyard was built on the Delaware just south of Washington Street during the same period.  In the mid 1800s many Irish immigrants arrived. Competition for jobs sparked riots in the area. Eastern Europeans, especially Poles, came to work on the waterfront, and Jewish immigrants settled along South Street. Fourth Street became “Fabric Row” where a large assortment of clothing, drapery and upholstery material could be found. Wedding gowns became a specialty.  After World War II the area experienced a decline. The Southwark Public Housing Project was built to provide affordable housing. Eventually it was demolished and rebuilt as Riverview Plaza. As the years passed the derelict commercial buildings on South Street began to attract artists and craftsmen and young entrepeneurs, and buildings were refurbished to house trendy shops and restaurants.  Queen Village has changed from a working class neighborhood to an affluent, upscale enclave. Its central location and proximity to historic sites has made it a prime residential location. Between 1999 and 2004, housing prices had risen 65 per cent. There is great diversity of architecture, ranging from 18th century homes to residences designed by 21st century architects. There are condos and lofts as well as single homes. An older single house on Catharine Street lists for $610,000. One bedroom, one bath condos start in the $180,000 range. Average price for Queen Village real estate is $414,000.  To find current condo listings at Queen Village please click here: http://condocompare.com/PA/PHILADELPHIA-condos/QUEEN-VILLAGE.aspx Citations: Philadelphias real estate Queen Village Realty