The Laurel sets the new standard for luxury condominiums in Philadelphia by pairing the last developable site on Rittenhouse Square with SCB-designed architecture, a fully serviced lifestyle, and amenities built around wellness and privacy – not just square footage and finishes. For buyers comparing Philadelphia’s most prestigious residences, The Laurel represents what luxury living looks like now.
What Does Luxury Living Look Like Today?
Luxury condominiums in Philadelphia are no longer defined by size alone. Today’s buyers are looking for a complete lifestyle: service, wellness, privacy, and the ability to walk out the front door and be steps from everything that matters.
This shift reflects a broader change in how people define quality of life. Finishes and floor plans still matter, but they’re now table stakes – not the differentiator. The differentiator is how a building integrates service, design, and location into a single, cohesive living experience.
- Service that anticipates needs rather than reacts to them
- Wellness built into the building, not bolted on as an afterthought
- Privacy that doesn’t come at the cost of connection to the city
- Walkability that puts daily life within reach, not a drive away
At The Laurel, that shows up the moment residents step into the lobby. As the building’s own welcome puts it, life is at your service from the moment you enter – sophisticated amenities and full-time staff designed to make living in the heart of the city incomparably livable.
Why Does Address Matter for Luxury Real Estate?
Address matters because it determines daily life, and The Laurel rises at the northeast corner of Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia’s most prestigious and historic public square. It’s a Center City address with few equals: a scenic, tree-filled park surrounded by the city’s best fine dining, boutique shopping, nightlife, and cultural destinations, almost all of it within walking distance.
What makes the address especially significant is scarcity. The Laurel occupies the last developable site on Rittenhouse Square – there will never be another all-new condominium tower built on this location. That permanence is part of the value proposition: owning at The Laurel means owning a fixed piece of one of Philadelphia’s most enduring and sought-after addresses, not just a unit in a building.
The residence itself sits at 1911 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, with residences starting on the 26th floor and only one, two, or four residences per floor – a configuration designed explicitly around privacy and unobstructed panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline.
What Makes The Laurel’s Architecture and Design Stand Out?
The Laurel’s architecture stands out because it was designed by SCB (Solomon Cordwell Buenz) to anchor Rittenhouse Square’s skyline while honoring the historic character of the square itself. As SCB Principal John Lahey has described it, the building’s main amenity spaces were designed to create unique experiences, with the private residents’ club on the 26th floor conceived as a peaceful retreat from the city below.
That same intentionality extends into every residence. Contemporary floor plans are magnificently scaled and exquisitely designed to function as a sanctuary of city living – elevated above Rittenhouse Square rather than simply adjacent to it. Every design decision, from the building’s silhouette to its interior layouts, was made to support how residents actually live: entertaining, relaxing, and taking in the city from above.
What Amenities Support Everyday Living at The Laurel?
The Laurel’s amenities support everyday living by combining fully serviced exclusivity with private wellness and social spaces – so residents don’t have to leave the building to feel like every part of their day is taken care of.
Exclusive services include:
- Separate private entry and lobby, with a doorman and concierge
- Private elevators
- 24/7 concierge and valet parking
- In-town car service and chauffeur
- Secure, climate-controlled storage available for purchase
- 24/7 maintenance and security
Private amenities include:
- Indoor pool and spa
- Fitness center and cycling studio
- Yoga studio
- Locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms
- A 26th-floor terrace and lounge overlooking Rittenhouse Square
- Executive meeting room
- Guest rental suite
- Bicycle parking
Daily life extends beyond the building, too. The ground floor is home to Dear Daphni, a new restaurant from acclaimed chef Michael Schulson offering a modern take on Mediterranean cuisine. Just down the sidewalk, residents receive 20% off membership at the first-ever Philadelphia location of Equinox Rittenhouse, featuring a members’ lounge, pool, locker rooms, and full strength, cardio, and group fitness programming.
What Sets The Laurel Apart as Philadelphia’s New Standard for Luxury?
The Laurel sets a new standard for Philadelphia luxury by treating ownership as access to a complete lifestyle, not simply a residence. Panoramic skyline views, a 26th-floor club terrace for catered gatherings, and a fully serviced address at the center of Rittenhouse Square come together to create something that’s difficult to find anywhere else in the city.
For buyers comparing Philadelphia luxury condominiums, the question isn’t just which building has the best finishes – it’s which building offers the best life. At The Laurel, that answer starts with an irreplaceable Rittenhouse Square address and extends through every detail of the design, service, and amenity experience. Residences are priced from the upper $2 millions, and as the final new condominium tower on this historic square, availability continues to narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Laurel different from other Philadelphia condominiums?
The Laurel occupies the last developable site on Rittenhouse Square, paired with SCB-designed architecture, full-service amenities, and a 26th-floor private residents’ club – a combination that’s rare among Philadelphia’s luxury inventory.
Where is The Laurel located?
The Laurel is located at 1911 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, at the northeast corner of Rittenhouse Square in the heart of Center City.
What amenities does The Laurel offer?
The Laurel offers an indoor pool and spa, fitness center and cycling studio, yoga studio, sauna and steam rooms, a 26th-floor terrace and lounge, executive meeting room, guest rental suite, 24/7 concierge and valet parking, and in-town car service.
Is The Laurel a new construction building?
Yes. The Laurel is Philadelphia’s final new luxury condominium tower on Rittenhouse Square, with residences starting on the 26th floor for maximum privacy and skyline views.
Who is The Laurel designed for?
The Laurel is designed for buyers seeking a complete luxury lifestyle – not just a residence – including those who value full-service amenities, wellness, privacy, and walkability in the heart of Philadelphia.
