Center City, Central business district in Philadelphia, United States.
Center City is a business district in Philadelphia, United States, stretching from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River and combining office towers, residential buildings, and shops along its grid-pattern streets. The district forms the geographic and economic heart of the city with City Hall tower as a central landmark.
The area was laid out in the late 17th century as the center of the new Pennsylvania colony, with William Penn's planning principles shaping the rectangular street grid. During the 19th century, the district developed into the city's main financial and commercial hub as banks and department stores emerged along the market streets.
Rittenhouse Square in the western section draws visitors with its cafes and galleries, while the square itself serves as a gathering spot for residents throughout the day. The district takes its name from the central location between the two rivers that William Penn planned in the 17th century.
Visitors can navigate using the numbered streets running east to west, while tree-named streets mark the north-south routes. The area works well for walking, as most points of interest sit within 20 to 30 minutes of each other on foot.
City Hall at the center of the district was the tallest occupied building in the world when completed in 1901 and remained Philadelphia's tallest until 1987. The bronze statue of William Penn atop it weighs around 27 tons and stands over 37 feet (11 meters) tall.
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