You’ve seen the cranes. If you live anywhere near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or spend your weekends grabbing coffee on Fairmount Avenue, you know the vibe is shifting. People keep saying "Fairmount is on the rise," but honestly, that’s a bit of an understatement. It’s not just rising; it’s being completely rewired.
There is this common misconception that Fairmount—the "Art Museum Area" to those who don’t live here—is just a sleepy, historic pocket for established professionals. That’s old news. Today, the neighborhood is caught in this wild tug-of-war between its grit-and-brick history and a sudden, massive influx of high-density mixed-use development that is changing how the street level actually feels.
The Reality of the Fairmount Real Estate Spike
Basically, the numbers tell a story of a market that refused to cool down when everyone else did. While other parts of Philadelphia saw a dip in late 2025, Fairmount held its ground. As of January 2026, the median home price in Fairmount sits around $459,000. That’s a nearly 9% shift year-over-year in some pockets, but don't let the "cooling" headlines fool you. Homes here are still moving in about 55 to 57 days.
Why? Because the supply is tight. Really tight.
Look at the recent sales. Just this month, a 5-bedroom on North 24th Street went for $1,125,000, selling for 15% over the asking price. That’s not a "balanced" market move—that’s a "I need to live here right now" move. On the flip side, you can still find 1-bedroom condos near the park for under $260,000, but those are becoming the exception, not the rule.
👉 See also: The Gospel of Matthew: What Most People Get Wrong About the First Book of the New Testament
Development is Hitting the Pavement
The biggest shift isn't just in who is buying houses, though. It’s what’s happening on the corners. Take the old Rite Aid site at 20th and Fairmount. For a long time, it was just... there. Now, developer Yoav Shiffman is breaking ground on a 28-unit mixed-use project.
This is huge for the "on the rise" narrative because it’s not just about luxury condos. We’re talking 9,000 square feet of retail space designed for "neighborhood-oriented" businesses. Think less "destination dining" and more "I need a good bagel and a pharmacy that isn't a 20-minute hike." This project specifically targets five commercial spaces that could house anything from medical offices to local bakeries. It’s about making the neighborhood livable, not just a museum piece.
Then you’ve got the Fairmount Park Armory. This 1959 military building at 2501 Fairmount Blvd is getting a $2.5 million environmental cleanup from the city to pave the way for Thompson Brewing Co. They’re turning it into a brewery and beer garden. Imagine finishing a run on the Schuylkill River Trail and walking right into a 12,000-square-foot event space for live music and local drafts. That’s the kind of "rise" people actually care about.
Why "On the Rise" Doesn't Mean "Finished"
If you talk to the long-timers, they’ll tell you Fairmount has always been special. It’s where Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights at Girard College. It’s where David Lynch found the creepy, industrial inspiration for Eraserhead.
✨ Don't miss: God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: The True Story Behind the Phrase Most People Get Wrong
But the current version of Fairmount is grappling with its own success. The Park to Broad Arts & Business District (formerly the Fairmount CDC) is constantly trying to balance this. They’re the ones behind the Fairmount Arts Crawl and the Girard Avenue Street Fest. They know that as prices go up, the "soul" of the neighborhood—those quirky, family-owned spots—gets squeezed.
- The Gentrification Factor: Between 2000 and 2020, Fairmount had one of the highest gentrification rates in the city.
- The Modern Balance: In 2026, the focus has shifted toward "VisitAbility" and energy-efficient modular units, like the Blumberg 83 project near 23rd and Jefferson.
- The Cultural Anchor: The Philadelphia Museum of Art remains the "sun" that the neighborhood orbits around, but the "planets" (the bars on Fairmount Ave, the new breweries, the renovated armories) are getting bigger and brighter.
The "On the Rise" Fairmount Bakery Confusion
Wait, let's clear one thing up. If you Google "On the Rise Fairmount," you might actually be looking for the bakery.
There’s a legendary spot called On the Rise Artisan Breads located on Fairmount Boulevard. It’s famous for that European-style sourdough and those "Finnish Rye" loaves that don’t even hit the shelves until noon. They use unbleached, unbromated flours and have a cult-like following.
If you’re visiting the neighborhood and looking for the "on the rise" vibe, you're likely going to end up there, standing in line for a Pain au Chocolat or a Traditional French Baguette. It’s a community staple that perfectly mirrors the neighborhood’s growth: high-quality, artisanal, and slightly more expensive than it used to be, but worth every cent.
🔗 Read more: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
Actionable Insights for the Fairmount-Bound
Whether you’re looking to move here or just spending a Saturday exploring, here is how you actually navigate this neighborhood in its current state.
First, if you're a buyer, stop looking for "deals" in the heart of Fairmount. Those are gone. Instead, look at the fringes toward Sharswood or the "Park to Broad" corridor where the CDC is putting in work. The value there is rising faster because that’s where the new infrastructure—like the $91 million Mission Bridge replacement—is actually happening.
Second, if you're visiting, skip the "Rocky Steps" for five minutes. Go to the Fairmount Water Works instead. It’s an architectural marvel that used to be a global tourist attraction in the 1800s. It’s quieter, more beautiful, and gives you a much better sense of why William Penn called this place a "Faire Mount" in the first place.
Third, watch the retail. When that mixed-use project at 20th and Fairmount opens, it’s going to trigger another mini-boom for the surrounding blocks. If you see a coffee shop or a boutique boutique opening there, that’s your signal that the "rise" has hit its next plateau.
Fairmount isn't the "next" big thing. It’s the current big thing. The trick is knowing which parts are historic charm and which parts are the new, high-octane Philly.
Your Next Steps:
- For Investors: Focus on the "Brewerytown-Fairmount" border near the new Thompson Brewing Armory project; property values typically spike within 18 months of major recreational anchors opening.
- For Residents: Engage with the Park to Broad Arts & Business District to stay updated on zoning meetings for the new 20th Street development.
- For Visitors: Hit On the Rise Artisan Breads before 10:00 AM if you want the specialty sourdough; they regularly sell out of the flagship boules by midday.