Rittenhouse Square

One of William Penn's original five square, Rittenhouse Square boasts lush plantings and fine statuary that belie its more humble 18th century origins as a pasture for stray cows, pigs and chickens. During the mid-1800s, the area underwent a transition to become a fashionable downtown address for many city residents. In the early 20th century, famed architect and planner Paul Philippe Cret conceived the square's current layout.