Pressroom

Three thousand native flowering plants and grasses create an urban haven for birds and insects.

Center City's retail occupancy rates, pedestrian volumes, retail sales and jobs are rising and approaching levels last seen in 2019, according to Center City Retail Update: July 2023, a new report released by the Center City District/Central Philadelphia Development Corporation.

Jobs are back, salaries are rising, Center City’s population continues growing, conventions, tourism and retail are all rebounding, and pedestrian vitality is almost fully restored in many portions of the downtown. Office vacancy, however, is rising, challenged by a partial return to office and reinforced by a wage tax that encourages suburban residents to remain remote.

Pedestrian activity in Center City has continued its gradual two-year upward trend, buoyed by a substantial ongoing increase in downtown residents as well as the return of visitors and a slower but notable return of office workers, according to this new report from CCD/CPDC.

Center City Philadelphia holds 43% of all jobs citywide with a workforce from every neighborhood in the city, with more than 100,000 being employed in the office district. This spring and summer, Center City District (CCD) will celebrate and support Center City in-office employees by hosting free, outdoor events on West Market and JFK Boulevard.

In celebration of National Foodies Day, Center City District (CCD) is excited to announce the dates for Restaurant Week’s 20th Anniversary this fall. Beginning Sunday, September 10 through Saturday, September 23, dozens of Center City restaurants will take part in Philadelphia’s signature dining experience.