"We'd looked at a lot of apartments and condominiums in the Rittenhouse Square area, in downtown, and on the Delaware River, and they just weren't right for us," echoed Sayde, the departing chancellor of the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association and a shareholder in the Offit Kurman law firm, where she is in the litigation department.
Sayde's New York roots were gradually pushing her to a more urban setting. Even before the couple became empty-nesters two years ago, the quest began to find a space that would meet their requirements. Daughter Lauren, then a student at Germantown Friends School, happily went along with the plan because of her affection for Old City. Anything that brought her closer was definitely "cool" in Lauren's view.
David, who had never lived outside a Montgomery County zip code, wanted to be able to walk to restaurants. For Sayde, proximity to theaters and her Center City office was important.
When Northern Liberties popped up on their radar, the two barristers decided they'd hit upon the Philadelphia version of New York's SoHo, a place that would allow ample space for their extensive art collection and also provide the wow and fun factors in their lives. They made the leap three years ago.
Step inside the four-story townhouse's first-floor den. On the wall is a striking piece by Red Grooms, the American multimedia artist known for his pop-art creations. Dali Salad, as the piece is called, offers Salvador Dali, the surrealist painter, surrounded by salad greens and a serving utensil. The art, payment from a client of David's, is a scene-stealer.
