A guide to off-campus housing around Penn’s campus

For sophomores and juniors looking at off-campus housing for next year, there are a variety of popular options, ranging from studio apartments to Victorian townhouses.

Apartment Complexes

The Axis 

Unlike other off-campus options, rooms in The Axis do not come with kitchens, and instead consist of a bedroom with a private bathroom. Each apartment comes with a fridge and a microwave. Residents have access to fully equipped, shared kitchens and available meal plans. 

The Axis has a shared laundry room and a fitness center for residents to use. 

Rent: One and two bedroom apartments starting from $850

Hamilton Court

Located on 39th Street, HamCo has a pool and fitness center for residents. The building has a shared laundry room for residents as opposed to in-unit laundry. 

Rent: $1,159 for a room in a five-bedroom apartment to $1,945 a month for a one-bedroom apartment

Chestnut Hall

Chestnut Hall apartments come with wood plank flooring and walk-in closets in some bedrooms. The apartment building, located on Chestnut Street, has a shared laundry room.

Chestnut Hall does not have a fitness center, and is pet friendly, allowing cats and dogs under a monthly pet rent. 

Rent: $1,426 for a studio apartment to $1,465 for a one-bedroom apartment

The Simon

The Simon at Founder’s Row, located on 41st Street, is owned and managed by Campus Apartments. Built in 2018, the Simon houses 23 apartments located four minutes from campus. The apartment building features a fitness center, Amazon Hub, fully furnished rooms, in-unit washer and dryer, and keyless entry.

Rent: three to five-bedroom apartments, starting from $1,200 per person.

The Radian

A popular off-campus apartment complex for students, the Radian is located across from New College House West. The Radian provides in-unit laundry and a fully equipped kitchen. 

The Radian also has a fitness center for residents, as well as a gameroom and an outdoor dining area. 

Rent: $1,309 for a room in a four-bedroom apartment to $2,500 for a one bedroom

3737 Chestnut

Built in 2015, 3737 Chestnut is managed by Korman Residential Properties and located six minutes from campus at 38th and Chestnut Streets. This apartment building features in-unit washer and dryer, pet-friendly, community kitchen, fitness center with yoga studio, unlimited black and white printing, and 24-hour concierge.

Rent: One to two bedroom apartments, starting at $2,599 for a one bedroom

Domus

Located across from Penn Law at the edge of campus, Domus provides various amenities, including in-unit laundry and stainless steel appliances. Domus also has a community pool, a fitness center, and a clubhouse. It’s also pet-friendly, allowing some dogs and cats for a monthly rent, as well as a deposit and fee. 

Rent: $1,838 for a room in a two-bedroom apartment to $2,865 for a one-bedroom apartment

The Chestnut

Located on 3720 Chestnut St., the 29-story complex was built in 2020 and houses 405 units as well as a variety of common areas, including a rooftop pool and sky lounge. A six-minute walk to campus, the Chestnut features a co-working space, game room, fitness center, green space, 24/7 concierge, pet-friendly policies, and in-unit washers and dryers.

Rent: Studio and one to two-bedroom apartments, starting at $2,200 for a studio

Realtors

Campus Apartments

Campus Apartments rents a wide range of properties to Penn students, from apartments to town houses.

Despite a slight decrease in occupancy rates for the 2021-2022 academic year after 2020's increase, Campus Apartments continues to see a rising trend in students opting for off-campus housing since the onset of the pandemic, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Campus Apartments Miles H. Orth, III wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Campus Apartments also manages University City Associates, another provider of off-campus properties.

Campus Apartments rents studios, multi-bedroom apartments, and houses with up to 17 bedrooms primarily west of campus. Rent varies depending on location and the number of bedrooms.

While amenities vary by property, many properties are pet friendly and offer 24-hour emergency maintenance, shuttle services, on-site laundry, outdoor space, all while in close proximity to Penn's campus.

University City Housing

Founded in 1967, University City Housing rents over 80 properties near Penn’s campus.

While leasing was slower at the start of the pandemic, University City Housing is currently at 95.5% occupancy, Senior Operations Manager for University City Housing Bill Groves said.

In addition to the pandemic, the introduction of Penn’s new housing requirement for sophomores has affected the housing market in University City, as nearly one-fifth of the usual undergraduate population seeking off-campus housing is no longer looking to lease, Grove said. Rental rates for University City Housing have remained relatively flat over the past year and vary across properties, he added.

Rent for properties between 41st and 45th streets starts at $550 per bedroom, Groves said.

University City Housing leases studios and one- to four-bedroom apartments, as well as Victorian townhouses with five to 13 bedrooms. All properties have hardwood floors, high-speed internet, on-site laundry services, and are located in close proximity to restaurants, parks, and laundromats.

University Realty

University Realty operates four properties near campus, including a new five-story apartment complex on 42nd and Ludlow streets that opened in 2020.

University Realty rents one- to three-bedroom apartments across their four Penn properties. Depending on the location, apartments feature modern, full-size kitchens, 24-hour video surveillance, fitness centers, free shuttle service, garages, and a free flat screen television.