Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville is a small community located in the vast township of Lawrence. While small, Lawrenceville is the main commercial hub for the township and carries great historical significance. The neighborhood's core is the Main Street Historic District, one of the state's first-ever registered historic districts. The district received recognition as a historic place both statewide and nationally in 1972.

"One of the most important parts of this area is it had a diverse housing stock like 55 and older communities, condos, town homes, single family and more rural properties," says Judson Henderson, broker-owner of Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty. Neighborhood home styles include colonials, Cape Cods, Victorians, and new construction properties. Real estate interest ramped up during the COVID pandemic and "part of it was the affordability," Henderson says. "Living here is a very affordable way to live right next to Princeton." Unlike the neighboring town of Princeton, Lawrenceville has more affordable housing prices and lower taxes. You can find a five-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath colonial in Lawrenceville's historic district for $550,000 or a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath brick colonial for around $790,000. Residents also move in because of the job prospects. The township is home to the headquarters of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Research & Development Division and the headquarters of Education Testing Service, a private nonprofit educational testing and assessment organization.

Neighborhood children can attend the Lawrence Township Public School District. Students can begin their educational journeys at Lawrenceville Elementary School before moving on to Lawrence Middle School. At Lawrence High School, students can participate in many unique school activities like a gospel choir, baking club and knitting and crocheting club. Lawrence High has an overall A- rating on Niche. American comedian and writer Jon Stewart, who grew up in Lawrenceville, graduated from Lawrence High School. The community and township also have several private schools, like the Lawrenceville School, a private boarding school, located in Lawrenceville. The Lawrenceville School is one of the oldest college preparatory schools in America. Students live in four houses, including The Circle, which Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect, designed. The house is a national historic landmark. Other private schools include Princeton Junior School, Saint Ann's School and Norte Dame High School.

"The village of Lawrenceville has a great little main street with some good restaurants," Henderson says. Here you can find restaurants specializing in Italian and American cuisines and sandwich and pizza shops. "Residents absolutely adore the Gingered Peach," a local bakery with a seasonal menu of cakes, breads and croissants, Henderson says. There's also Vidalia Restaurant, where residents can enjoy pasta, meat and fish dishes on the garden patio or in Vidalia's cozy dining room. For all your grocery needs, head to ShopRite or Lidl.

Spend a day at Village Park to play soccer or shoot hoops with your friends or family. The Lawrence-Hopewell Trail, a 22-mile biking loop, meanders through the park. On Main Street is Weeden Park, the central meeting place for community events. The Lawrenceville Main Street association organizes several annual community events, including the Fall Arts Festival, the Music in the Park summer series and the Taste of Lawrenceville. The Lawrence-Hopewell Trail also cuts through Mercer Meadows, a 1,600-acre property with open woods and an enclosed dog park. During the summer, cool off at one of the township's pools like The Willows, a natural soft-water pool, the Lawrenceville Swimming Association or the Ben Franklin Swim Club. Join Cobblestone Creek Country Club, where you can play golf and tennis or relax poolside.

Lawrenceville and the greater Lawrence Township area offer residents ample opportunities "to live, work and play," Henderson says.

Written By

Jess Nocera

Photography Contributed By

Alec Oswald

Video By

Andrew Sutton