Pictures of Pretty Condos: A Study In Elegance at Academy House
We’re heading to Rittenhouse Square today for this week’s Pictures of Pretty Condos! If you haven’t visited the Academy House before, you are in for a real treat. This 37-story building on the southeast cornet of Locust and 15th is among the square’s most visually impressive, having been designed in the 1970s by renowned architect Otto Reichert-Facilides.
Soaring thirty-seven stories above Locust Street, you can’t miss the Academy House.
This is a doorman building, with balconies and washers/dryers in most units, an indoor pool, a gym, optional valet parking in the rental lot downstairs… just about every amenity you might need or want, basically. Virtually all utilities are included in your condo fees, which is an outstanding convenience.
The entrance to the exclusive Academy House has a presence equal to its interior impressiveness.
Rittenhouse Square touts one of the highest Walk Scores in Center City, meaning that all the shopping, dining, and entertainment you could want are within hoofing distance. The Academy House is directly adjacent to the Avenue of the Arts, meaning that world-class culture is a brief walk away at all times. In fact, the Academy of Music next door gave the condos their name.
Views can be found at each floor level of Center City spread out below you.
Junior 1-, 1-, 2-, and 3 bedroom units are available at Academy House, although at least one unit currently up for sale has had walls knocked down between two existing units to create a bigger space. There are 576 units in total, with square footage ranging from 521 to 1590.
The swimming pool is sleek, pretty, and ever so enjoyable on hot summer days.
In many Center City condo communities, floor height tends to be a strong component of the relative desirability and pricing of individual units. Homes at the Academy House are less subject to these fluctuations, since great views are beheld from just about every floor.
A peek into one unit’s living room is proof that the grand city views can’t be exaggerated.
Another aspect of design at Academy House that tends to be a strong selling point? All units are flats – no stairs with which to contend! With the larger (2- and 3 bedroom) units, that’s really saying something in relation to other homes in Center City. There are elevators throughout the building.
A view of this unit’s living space – the same condo as pictured above – shows the fine details and cozy elegance of Academy House homes.
I’ve seen Academy House condos called the “Toyotas” of Center City – they consistently hold their value and shine in comparison to other, flashier comers. This is, I feel, an apt description. Buying here isn’t only a solid decision in terms of location and amenities, but probably a fairly safe financial investment as well. After all, many things change, but Rittenhouse being classy and desirable does not.
