The Barclay Condominiums
237 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103
Snapshot
The Barclay At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Year Converted |
1974* |
| Residences |
150 |
| Parking | Rental Available Nearby |
| Pets | Pet Friendly |
The Barclay is one of Rittenhouse Square’s classic pre-war condominium buildings, with the kind of scale, elegance, and architectural detail that is difficult to replicate today. The building offers some of the largest condominium residences on the Square. Something many buyers don’t know about the Barclay is that the (rarely available) easternmost penthouse residences are set back from the building’s façade and even offer a bit of private outdoor space.
*Though the Declaration of Condominium was first recorded in 1974, the building remained a mix of residential units and hotel units until the mid-90s, when a local developer renovated and converted it into 100% residential condominiums.
Listings
Outline
The Barclay is a beautiful Rittenhouse Square landmark that underwent a significant renovation in the mid- to late- 1990’s. Elegant and stately, this Pre-War style Rittenhouse Square condo building has a wide variety of unit sizes available. The Barclay exemplifies the luxury of a by-gone era. True Penthouses exist, though rarely available, in the beautiful piece of Philadelphia real estate. Almost all units are flats, but a few bi-level condominium units exist in the building. Sitting on 18th Street at the Southest corner of Rittenhouse Square, the Barclay is grand in its stately appearance. Some of the largest condos on Rittenhouse Square can be found in the Barclay.
Originally opened as a hotel in 1929, a local developer succeeded in bringing an old Philadelphia gem back to life where a few others before had failed. I have to be honest- I have never sold a unit in the building. But I do know that it houses some stunning pre-war condos of sheer magnitude in terms of size and interior finishes.
The Barclay is home to Barclay Prime Restaurant, and sits right next to the trendy Parc Restaurant, both being very popular Steven Starr places. What few know about the Barclay is that the easternmost penthouses are indeed penthouse condos as they are set back from the facade, and all have a hint of outside space, which is kinda’ groovy. The Barclay condos have a fitness center, 24-hour doorman, and a Towncar, which is at the disposal of owners.
Quick Sales Stats
2025: 2 Sales, Top Price – $2,500,000
2024: 3 Sales, Top Price – $2,033,000
2023: 3 Sales, Top Price – $2,050,000
2022: 6 Sales, Top Price – $3,000,000
2021: 6 Sales, Top Price – $1,975,000
2020: 3 Sales, Top Price – $2,200,000
2019: 2 Sales, Top Price – $5,426,800
*Detailed sales data for every condo at 237 S. 18th St. is available upon request.
Two Cents
The Barclay is one of Rittenhouse Square’s classic pre-war condominium buildings, with the kind of scale, elegance, and architectural detail that is difficult to replicate today. Sitting on 18th Street, the building offers an unusually wide range of floor plans, including some of the largest condominium residences on the Square.
Something many buyers don’t know about the Barclay is that it has true penthouses. The easternmost penthouse residences are set back from the building’s façade and even offer a bit of private outdoor space, which is a pretty unusual find in a pre-war Rittenhouse building. They very rarely come to market. Most Barclay residences are single-level flats, although there are also a handful of bi-level homes scattered throughout the building.
Amenities include a fitness center, 24-hour door staff and a town car available to residents. But the real appeal of the Barclay is the building itself: gracious proportions, large residences and a distinctly old-school Rittenhouse character. For buyers who appreciate pre-war architecture and want something that feels established rather than newly built, the Barclay remains one of the more distinctive addresses on Rittenhouse Square. Originally built as a hotel in the late 1920s, the Barclay finished all of its major residential condominium conversions in 1999, although the building’s declaration of condominium dates back to 1974.
Recent Sales
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Photos
Floorplans
