University City

University City is the easternmost section of West Philadelphia, located just across the Schuylkill River from Center City. It is home to several major educational institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and the University City campus of Saint Joseph’s University.

The name “University City” was introduced in the 1950s as part of an urban renewal initiative led by the University of Pennsylvania. This effort aimed to revitalize the area and attract faculty and professionals to live nearby. Over time, the district has developed into a hub for education, healthcare, and research, featuring institutions such as 30th Street Station, one of the busiest train stations in the country, as well as the Cira Centre and Cira Centre South.

Historical Background

Before European colonization, the region was inhabited by the Lenape people, whose land, known as Lenapehoking, stretched along much of the Atlantic coast from present-day Connecticut to Delaware. In 1677, William Warner purchased 1,500 acres from the local Indigenous tribe, naming the area Blockley after his hometown parish in England.

During the 19th century, Blockley Township developed a reputation as a refuge for criminals and smugglers, with reports of it being unsafe even as late as 1850. The Blockley Almshouse, later renamed Philadelphia General Hospital, was located here. Though Blockley predated Philadelphia by several years, it was eventually absorbed into what became known as West Philadelphia.

In 1735, attorney Andrew Hamilton acquired 300 acres in Blockley Township, naming it Hamilton Village. A significant portion of this land became The Woodlands, a grand botanical garden and mansion, now the site of The Woodlands Cemetery. Other areas of Hamilton Village evolved into what is now the 40th Street retail corridor.

A small northern section of University City was once known as Greenville, located near Lancaster Avenue, Powelton Avenue, and Market Street. Initially a resting stop for travelers and cattle drivers, Greenville later expanded with a growing German immigrant population. By the mid-20th century, the neighborhood became known as the Black Bottom, reflecting its predominantly Black population and economic struggles. The Black Bottom was largely demolished during a gentrification effort in the 1960s.

The introduction of electrified streetcars in the 1890s accelerated development west of 43rd Street, while improved bridges and tunnels in the early 20th century made commuting to Center City more accessible. This expansion led to the establishment of neighborhoods such as Spruce Hill and Cedar Park.

The Formation of University City

In the 1950s, two realtors and University of Pennsylvania graduates officially coined the term “University City” to encourage faculty members to move into the surrounding neighborhoods. The area was initially defined as stretching from the Schuylkill River to 52nd Street and from Haverford Avenue to the railroad tracks south of Kingsessing Avenue. However, the term was met with some resistance from local residents, who saw it as an attempt to separate the district from the rest of West Philadelphia.

Boundaries and Neighborhoods

According to the University City District organization and the City of Philadelphia, University City’s boundaries are:

• East: Schuylkill River

• North: Spring Garden Street, Powelton Avenue, Market Street

• West: 52nd Street

• South: Woodland Avenue, University Avenue, Civic Center Boulevard

Within these borders are several distinct neighborhoods, including Cedar Park, Garden Court, Spruce Hill, Squirrel Hill, Powelton Village, Walnut Hill, and Woodland Terrace. The area also contains several historic districts, such as the West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District. University City is covered by ZIP codes 19104, 19139, and 19143.