In Philadelphia, this hidden neighborhood is right near the heart of the city is easy to walk past without noticing. People seek out Elfreth's Alley while I find this area to be much more interesting. And yes, as the sign hints at, technically cars can drive on these streets. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9467...5410&entry=ttu
In Phoenix one of my favorites is the Wrigley Mansion near the Biltmore and north Phoenix Mountain Preserve area. I guess it's fairly well known (although maybe outsiders didn't know there is one in Phoenix), but it's a gem and "hidden" in the fact that it's tucked away only accessed via a side street through a office complex, over a canal bridge, and up a small hill.
Good shout on Wrigley Mansion. Maybe the best meal I've ever had in Phoenix. And a really amazing Steinway player piano with a cool story:
Not sure if this fits the prompt but for Salt Lake, I really love the Marmalade Hill neighborhood in Salt Lake City. It feels completely unique to the valley as it doesn't align directly with the city's overall grid.
Chatham Village is quite literally a hidden architectural gem, as it is tucked within the lush forest landscape on the southern edge of Pittsburgh's decidedly blue collar Mt. Washington neighborhood. It's like walking into a different world. The village is a 1930s product of the "Garden City" movement of the late 1880s/early 1900s and follows its urban planning principles:
1. "Superblock" - Open green spaces were consolidated within a large parcel for use by the residents and through streets were minimized or eliminated.
2. Keep roads on the perimeter - Automobile circulation was located on the perimeter and garage courts or compounds were provided for parking cars.
3. Separate pedestrians and cars - Automobiles were separated from pedestrians, isolating noise and fumes, improving safety for children, and improving the aesthetics of green spaces.
4. Face houses toward gardens and parks - Houses were oriented "outside in" so living room and master bedroom windows faced the quiet court yards and green spaces instead of the street.
5.Make parks the backbone - The site plan allows the landscaped green spaces to dominate, rather than streets.
St Bartholomew the Great - nondescript outside, stunning Norman interior, up to 900 years old
Monstrous, ugly AF campus in Denmark Hill which is the William Booth College -but very 1920s Gotham imo
Guildhall complex - you can visit the remains of the Roman amphitheatre underground too, which they only discovered in 1988
Gloucester Rd tube station is dedicated to a rolling roster of modern art
And in the sidestreets, the district hides street after street of the poshest rowhomes money can buy, over$100m a piece if ever they're not subdivided into $40m apartments
Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park is a hidden gem in its own right (at least to tourists and transplants), but it contains several hidden gems within its grounds:
Tioga Station on the Market-Frankford Line, home to the last remaining entranceway built by SEPTA's predecessor, the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company. The rest of the entranceways were demolished when SEPTA rebuilt the Frankford Elevated in the 1980s:
In Chicago I'd probably list the following - which is debatable if they're "hidden gems" or not, but most people probably don't know these places exist. . .
Chatham Village is quite literally a hidden architectural gem, as it is tucked within the lush forest landscape on the southern edge of Pittsburgh's decidedly blue collar Mt. Washington neighborhood. It's like walking into a different world. The village is a 1930s product of the "Garden City" movement of the late 1880s/early 1900s and follows its urban planning principles:
1. "Superblock" - Open green spaces were consolidated within a large parcel for use by the residents and through streets were minimized or eliminated.
2. Keep roads on the perimeter - Automobile circulation was located on the perimeter and garage courts or compounds were provided for parking cars.
3. Separate pedestrians and cars - Automobiles were separated from pedestrians, isolating noise and fumes, improving safety for children, and improving the aesthetics of green spaces.
4. Face houses toward gardens and parks - Houses were oriented "outside in" so living room and master bedroom windows faced the quiet court yards and green spaces instead of the street.
5.Make parks the backbone - The site plan allows the landscaped green spaces to dominate, rather than streets.
Ohhhh, the 1400 block of W Elmdale up in Edgewater, my old stomping grounds.
We lived in one of the 6-flats on the north side of that block for about 4 years back when our kids were babies.
One of the prettiest tree canopies in the city.
We were actually just over there a couple weekends ago for a little neighborhood walking tour down memory lane. Well memory lane for my wife and I anyway; the kids don't remember living there.
We might've stayed in that condo if has a second bathroom.
Oh well... Still a stunning street, and I'm very grateful for the time I did get to spend there.
__________________ "Missing middle" housing can be a great middle ground for many middle class families.
In Chicago I'd probably list the following - which is debatable if they're "hidden gems" or not, but most people probably don't know these places exist. . .
These just look like normal Chicago street scenes to me. Prettier than most blocks, maybe, but still very Chicago.
I recently learned of the Downtown Chicago pedway system of tunnels that allow people to travel some 40 blocks entirely below ground. I've heard of such systems in Montreal and Houston, but had never heard about Chicago's. That's a hidden gem, I think!
These just look like normal Chicago street scenes to me. Prettier than most blocks, maybe, but still very Chicago.
Alta vista is sidewalk-hugging row-houses, very rare in chicago.
1400 W Elmdale is more standard Chicago 6-flats and courtyard buildings, but that tree canopy is delicious. It was like walking through an outdoor cathedral everyday.
I do miss it. Our current block over in Lincoln Square got savaged by the various fucking tree beetles.
__________________ "Missing middle" housing can be a great middle ground for many middle class families.
Last edited by Steely Dan; Jun 6, 2024 at 3:54 AM.
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