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City's employment recovery surpasses national average while downtown talent concentration reaches historic highs, new report finds.
Commentary by Paul R. Levy, CCD President and CEO: Philadelphia was beginning its 11th year of growth when we started researching and writing our annual State of Center City report. Then everything changed. We considered not publishing, but decided only to adjust tense in the text, reflecting current realities.
CCD welcomes the arrival of autumn with a full lineup of free-to-attend programs starting in September at parks and public spaces across Center City, including events for office workers, a free hay maze and activities for families.
Center City District (CCD) today released findings from its spring survey of retail storefronts across Center City, showing that overall retail occupancy within CCD's boundaries has climbed to 84.2%, which is the highest level recorded in two years and up from 82.6% just six months ago. The gain represents a net increase of 32 occupied storefronts since September 2025.
In 2018, 2,810 new housing units were completed in Greater Center City – the largest number since Center City District began tracking the market almost 20 years ago. Strong growth is continuing at the beginning of 2019 with 3,017 more housing units under construction in Greater Center City.