Description | The Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia lies in the southeast quadrant of William Penn’s original city (1682). Sensitively rehabilitated after WW II under the direction of noted planner Edmund Bacon, the district includes several hundred 18th and early 19th century houses. Part of the genius of Bacon’s plan, however, was his insistence that infill housing not replicate the authentic survivors. Consequently, this gracious urban village of cobblestone streets and colonial courtyards is sprinkled with mid-century modern structures by some of Philadelphia’s finest architects. A significant number of these new homes were designed by I. M. Pei in the 1960s, long before he became internationally famous. The tour includes admission to several private homes. |
