On the Rental Market: Furnished Loft Apartment in Washington Square West

Since a retail store takes up the entire front of the first floor of the building containing this apartment, you enter this unit through its rear entrance at 204 S. Delhi St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107. But we think the back looks as nice as the front does, and Apartment 1 is even nicer. | Photos: Powelton Digital Media via Lavinia Smerconish Team, Compass

Proponents of “strong towns” argue that the way we have come to build our suburbs makes them less sustainable, less affordable and less convenient. One affordable housing option common before the Second World War but nonexistent in the autocentric postwar suburb is the apartment over a Main Street retail store. These can be extremely convenient, as all one’s shopping needs can often be met just by leaving the apartment and taking a short stroll.

But such accommodations were generally associated with people of modest means: the college student looking for cheap digs, the elderly loner who just needed a place to rest their head, the budding musician who needed a place to practice where the neighbors wouldn’t complain.

Main floor

These people would no doubt be astonished to find out that living over the store looks like this now.

But that’s exactly what it will look like if you decide to rent this furnished Washington Square West loft apartment for rent.

Located over a currently vacant space on South 10th Street that for many years housed a small deli and grocery store across the street from Jefferson Alumni Hall, this apartment offers living-over-the-store convenience while at the same time signaling that you’re not struggling at all, no sir.

That’s because the landlord has outfitted it with a complete set of stylish modern furniture from West Elm.

The furniture perfectly complements the apartment’s loft aesthetic, as expressed on its main floor.

Living room

You enter the building from Delhi Street and climb a flight of stairs to your apartment, whose living room faces 10th Street. Jefferson Alumni Hall blocks the strongest afternoon rays, but you still get plenty of natural light streaming through its huge windows.

Kitchen

The open main living area has exposed brick on one wall and combines the living room, a dining area and a stylish modern kitchen with bar seating for three and a waterfall quartz countertop on its peninsula.

Main-floor bathroom

Main-floor bedroom

Behind this is a bathroom with a tub/shower combination and the unit’s second bedroom. A skylight provides natural light and a barn door gives it privacy,.

Primary bedroom

The primary bedroom lies at the top of the stairs from the main floor. It’s up high enough that it should get some direct afternoon sunshine filling it via its sliding doors.

Primary bedroom balcony

Those sliding doors lead to a balcony looking out on 10th Street. You will definitely be able to catch some rays here if that’s your thing. Or you can just grab your coffee and your laptop (or a book) and enjoy studying, reading or working al fresco.

Primary bathroom

The primary bedroom has a walk-in closet where you will find the unit’s stacked washer and dryer. It also has an en suite bathroom with a full tile shower.

Now for the convenience part. Jefferson students, staff and faculty will find this Washington Square West loft apartment for rent a real prize, for the campus and hospital surround it. The grocer’s closure means you will have to walk all the way to 10th and South to buy food, but hey, you could use the exercise, couldn’t you? Besides, you’ll want to walk even further, to the Reading Terminal Market, to buy produce, meats and seafood, I’ll wager.

And when you don’t feel like dining in, scores of great eateries, plain and fancy, ranging from bargain to budget-buster are also just outside your door and around a couple of corners or very close at hand. You also have one of Center City’s best-known dives, the Locust Bar, for a neighbor.

Don’t work at or attend Jefferson? This apartment’s still a real prize — stylish, sophisticated turnkey living in the middle of Center City’s most eclectic neighborhood.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 2

BATHS: 2

SQUARE FEET: 1,000 (approx.)

RENT PER MONTH: #$4,500

204 S. Delhi St. #1, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107 [Stephanie Ellis | Lavinia Smerconish Team | Compass]