Here’s a chance to visit a few beautiful homes of Garden Court, get to know your neighbors, and dine on gourmet meals prepared by talented neighborhood chefs. The Progressive Dinner, the annual fundraising event for Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) will be held on Saturday (Sept. 24) and will supporting the Cheryl Roebuck Scholarship fund, neighborhood projects, and a summer camp

The Progressive Dinner starts at a home near 46th and Cedar for check-in and appetizers, then moves on to another for the main course, and ends with dessert and dancing at Take The Lead Studios at 47th and Pine.

After purchasing a ticket ($45/$40 for GCCA members) choose one style of cuisine from a selection that includes:

• Italian
• Mexican
• Tunisian
• Caribbean
• Fish/ Vegetarian
• Belgian

Note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to attend this event.  Continue Reading

We are starting to learn a little more about the retail that will be moving into the ground floor of the Garden Court Plaza apartment building at 47th and Pine. An official from Post Brothers, the real estate developer that acquired the building last year and announced their plans to court new retail businesses, said last night that ReAnimator Coffee, which has current locations in Fishtown and Kensington, has agreed to take one of the spots.

Post Brothers managing director Randy Hope told the Garden Court Community Association annual meeting that the firm is also “in conversation” with a “full-service restaurant.”

“One thing that I promise won’t be coming there is a 7-Eleven or something like that,” he said.

Hope did not say when ReAnimator Coffee might be moving in. We’ll keep you posted.

Post Brothers recently purchased Garden Court Plaza at 47th and Pine.

Garden Court Community Association‘s annual meeting will take place on Thursday, June 16, at Mosaic Community Church (123 S. 51st St), and the topic will be development and change within the neighborhood, which stretches from Locust Street to Cedar Avenue and from 45th to 52nd Street. All neighbors are invited.

The meeting will discuss planned rental and retail development in Garden Court, improvements related to the Spruce Street and 52nd Street commercial districts. You can also learn about how Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) participates in the zoning and development process, and how you can get involved in shaping the neighborhood over time.

A panel of speakers will include developers and community and economic development professionals:  Continue Reading

Photo from Phillywatersheds.org

Neighborhood residents are invited to learn more about the Philadelphia Water Department’s Rain Check program at Garden Court Community Association‘s general meeting, which will take place this Wednesday (March 2) at Mosaic Community Church (51st and Sansom).

Rain Check is a program that helps residents manage stormwater at their homes. All participants will receive a free rain barrel and can also sign up to have a downspout planter, rain garden or porous paving installed at a reduced price. Rain Check supports Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program which is working in neighborhoods across the city, adding green features to keep excess stormwater out of sewers.

Other perks of the meeting include dinner (provided by GCCA) and the opportunity to connect with neighbors.

Dinner with neighbors starts at 6:15 p.m., and program presentation is at 7 p.m.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to attend the event please register at this link.

Visit beautiful Garden Court homes and dine on gourmet meals on Saturday, Oct. 3.

This is a great chance to visit and learn more about one of the most beautiful West Philly neighborhoods and meet many of its wonderful residents. On Saturday, Oct. 3, everyone is invited to the annual Garden Court Community Association’s Progressive Dinner. Recently, three Garden Court blocks made it to the top 25 of the most beautiful streets in Philadelphia, and you can visit some of these homes during this event and dine on gourmet international meals. In addition, you can dance the night away at Take The Lead Dance Studio.

The event supports community projects (here‘s just one of the programs GCCA volunteers do in the area). You don’t have to be a GCCA member to attend; however members receive a perk of a discounted ticket price.  Continue Reading

Reader Jared Brimfield, who lives on the 200 block of Melville, sent us the following email:

Garden Court boundaries map.

“I was reading your article today that showed the Garden Court neighborhood map. I’m a little confused because there seems to be some overlap between Garden Court and Spruce Hill. Below is the link to the SHCA map, which shows the west line of the neighborhood at 46th St. The GCCA map show[s] the east neighborhood boundary between 44th and 45th.
I have always identified my street (200 block of Melville) as Spruce Hill, but maybe I’m wrong.
Do you have any idea which is correct?”

Here is the article Jared was referring to. He also sent his question to both community associations and kindly shared their replies with us.

Spruce Hill map.

There is indeed an overlap between Spruce Hill and Garden Court. According to Garden Court Community Association’s (GCCA) website, 45th street is considered their eastern boundary. Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) identifies 46th street as their western boundary. So, what neighborhood does one belong to if they live between 45th and 46th streets and between Locust and Baltimore/Cedar?

“The simple answer: both! Several of the community associations in W[est] Philly overlap (for a block or two) at the boundaries. And, it is completely fine to belong to one or more than one association,” says Jamie Gauthier, GCCA president.

“I agree. It is your choice,” said SHCA Board member Rich Guffanti.