RITTENHOUSE SQUARE – In Center City this square is one of the five original parks planned by William Penn during the late 17th century. Rittenhouse Square was named after David Rittenhouse, a descendant of William Rittenhouse who was the first papermaker in Philadelphia. David Rittenhouse was a clockmaker and supporter of the American Revolution. Additionally, he was a noted astronomer. A lunar crater is named after him.

Today, the beautiful tree-filled park is surrounded by fine restaurants and trendy shops, 2 hotels including the five-star, The Rittenhouse Hotel (which also holds a flagship office of Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS*), and there are many luxury apartment buildings which include The Barclay.

The beauty of this Park can mostly be attributed to the efforts of ‘Friends of Rittenhouse Square’, a public-private partnership with Fairmount Park. Their contributions have included restoration of fountains and fencing, landscaping, lighting, and even the installation and stocking of doggie bag dispensers.

Generally, the name Rittenhouse Square is used to designate the neighborhood surrounding the square, and even encompassing most of the western half of Center city. In particular, the blocks to the south of the Square contain the most expensive real estate in Philadelphia. This neighborhood is also home to many cultural institutions which include the Curtis Institute of Music, the Rosenbach Museum & Library, The Philadelphia Art Alliance, and the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum.

Hig-rise, Mid-rise Buildings in Rittenhouse Square: The Rittenhouse, Rittenhouse Savoy, Wanamaker House, Rittenhouse Plaza, The Barclay, The Belgravia, Dorchester, The Coronado, The Lanesborough, 220 W. Rittenhouse Square, 250 S. 17th Street, 250 S. 18th Street, 1820 Rittenhouse Square, 1830 Rittenhouse Square, The Warwick, Parc Rittenhouse, Two Liberty Place and Ambassador Condominiums

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