Queen  Village contains a variety of interesting architecture and is one of the largest concentrations of 18th- and 19th-century historically significant homes in the nation.  Unlike the carefully restored colonial character of Society Hill, Queen Village has a more diverse and eclectic architectural style.  Charming 18th century homes, fancy 19th century Victorians, distinctive 20th century bay window facades, and sleek 21st century architecture are evident in the urban street-scape.

Early property owners divided their real estate holdings into lots for sale. Following the typical Philadelphia style, the lots measured from 16 to 20 feet across, and from 45 to 90 feet deep. Buyers paid “ground” rent to the land owners and were obliged to build on the lot.  Small two- and three-story buildings, one or two rooms per floor, with a cellar were common. Kitchens and other outbuildings were constructed at the back of the long lots.  When homeowners outgrew their small spaces, they enlarged their houses rather than tearing them down and building larger structures, as was typical in Philadelphia. This is why Queen Village retains so many fine examples of late 17th- and early 18th-century buildings.  Also in contrast to Philadelphia, most of the Southwark homes were wooden frame houses.   As late as 1811, frame houses outnumbered brick houses by two to one.  Sadly, only a handful of these frame houses still exist.

Queen Village’s story over three centuries can be read in its architecture.  Its residential stock boasts more than 900 homes certified as historical by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.  Its commercial stock ranges from open-air markets to warehouses, piers, storefronts, and offices occupying the same places for 200 years or more.   The 100 block of Fitzwater Street is a wonderful example of local home building styles from the 18th – 21st centuries.  Every block in Queen Village has a story to tell.  Local homes, public buildings and houses of worship have witnessed dramatic chapters in our  city’s long history.