Downtown Lewiston
Neighborhood in Lewiston, Maine
Androscoggin County 04240
Sprawling multi-unit properties from the 1800s
Lewiston’s history as a dense industrial city is highlighted in the housing stock, as multifamily properties originally built to house mill workers and their families fill the neighborhood’s gridded streets. Nearly all the properties were built between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, as the Industrial Revolution reached Lewiston. Investors can find buildings with as many as 21 units; price and condition of the property creates a wide price range. A 10-unit brick building in need of renovations may cost around $500,000, while a 10-unit Second Empire property in better condition may be priced around $1.2 million. Shotgun-style duplexes usually cost between $190,000 and $260,000, and homebuyers can buy a single condo in a multi-unit property for about $100,000 to $150,000. Occasionally, buyers can buy a single-family workers’ cottage for between $250,000 and $300,000.Pocket parks and riverside walking trails downtown
Pocket parks are scattered throughout Downtown Lewiston; kids climb on playground equipment or play pickup basketball games at Lionel Potvin Park. Simard-Payne Memorial Park is a stretch of green space along the Androscoggin River, best known as the venue for the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival in August. But residents can also pick up the Auburn Riverwalk trail at the park. Walking along the paved footpath takes them across the river on a trestle footbridge and into Auburn, where they can continue to walk to murals and scenic river overlooks. Kennedy Park is a large green lawn landscaped with walkways and tall trees near the center of downtown Lewiston. The public park has basketball courts and a playground, as well as a pool that’s open from the beginning of July until mid-August. Lewiston residents swim for free, though they must register for a membership to use the pool. Rustic hiking trails that wind by lakes and through dense forests can be found in Auburn, about 3 miles west of downtown Lewiston. Taylor Pond, in the same area, is a popular spot to go fishing and sailing.Career programs through Lewiston Regional Technical Center
Children may attend Robert V. Connors Elementary School through sixth grade, and then progress to Lewiston Middle School. Both schools have C-minus ratings from Niche. Lewiston High School has a C rating, and offers high school students the chance to enroll in vocational training programs through the Lewiston Regional Technical Center. High schoolers may study fields like firefighting, medical science, multimedia technology and plumbing.Colorful hot air balloons float over the Twin Cities in August
Downtown Lewiston has a non-profit association dedicated to supporting local businesses and the community. The organization puts together events like the summer art walk, which takes place on the last Friday of every month between May and September. Over 30 businesses and local establishments participate, showcasing visual, musical and performing artists. One of the most well-known downtown events is the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival, which DuBois says is one of the most popular. “I mean, what’s better than seeing a bunch of hot air balloons fill the sky?” he says. The community gathers at Simard-Payne Memorial Park to watch inflatable characters and rainbow-colored balloons inflate and drift upward, as they enjoy snacks from local vendors and live music plays from the main stage. The city organizes seasonal events as well; in early December, they welcome the winter months through Holiday at the Plaza. Families pile into horse-drawn wagons, live carolers stroll down Dufresne Plaza, kids wave to Santa and live reindeer and ice skaters glide around the rink.More frequently, residents may gather at places of worship, like the Lewiston/Auburn Islamic Center, which is a masjid and community center, and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, a gothic cathedral from the early 1900s.
Walkable streets and a network of public buses
Sidewalks line nearly all downtown’s streets, allowing community members to walk to local restaurants and parks. Citylink buses traverse the neighborhood and take residents throughout Lewiston and Auburn. DuBois notes that the Central Maine Medical Center hospital is a major employer in the neighborhood, and St. Mary’s Medical Center is also close by. Commuters who work out of town can drive 3 miles south to merge onto the Maine Turnpike or Interstate 95. Augusta, the state capital, is 34 miles northeast and Maine’s most populated city, Portland, is about 42 miles south. For longer flights, the Portland International Jetport is also 37 miles south. Downtown Lewiston has a CAP Crime Index Score of 9 out of 10 due to higher-than-average scores for violent and property crimes. The national average is 4 out of 10.Elevated diners and cafes are in former mill buildings in Downtown Lewiston
Once the employment hub of the city, Downtown Lewiston has transitioned away from its days as an industrial or business district. “Pre-Covid we saw a lot of businesses and offices going back to the downtown area, but now that a lot of people work from home that business office mentality has waned a little bit,” DuBois says. “It’s not as robust of an office space, but there are a lot of restaurants and local shops.” Mornings call for breakfast sandwiches and iced lattes from Forage Market, a café decorated with vintage furniture, paintings by local artists and pride flags. Residents may order curry and garlic naan for takeout from Mother India or go to DaVinci’s Eatery to enjoy large portions of pasta and other Italian dishes. Fish Bones Grill, an upscale seafood restaurant with classic cocktails, and Baxter Brewing Company, which serves pints of craft beer with burgers and fries, are both in former mill buildings and embrace the industrial ambiance. Fresh produce and essentials line the shelves at Wards Neighborhood Market, a family-owned grocery store downtown. Shoppers can also travel a mile south to stock up on groceries from Shaw’s or Save A Lot. Many office buildings belong to legal and insurance organizations, but there are some local retail shops. Paul’s Clothing and Shoe Store sells boots and outdoor apparel, and Rainbow Bicycle is a bike repair shop. In Auburn, 3 miles northwest, locals find shopping centers with nationally known stores like Target and T.J. Maxx.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Tim Flaherty
The Flaherty Group
(207) 835-3386
60 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Lewiston
$499K - $685K Price Range
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Jon Mercier
Maine Source Realty
(207) 531-5498
152 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Lewiston
$185K - $318K Price Range
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Melissa Greenwood
The Maine Real Estate Experience
(207) 705-0835
69 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lewiston
$140,000 Price
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Diane Monaco
Sunset Lakes Real Estate
(207) 618-6247
54 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lewiston
$300,000 Price
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Scott Reiff Denise Reiff
Coldwell Banker Realty
(207) 891-6314
73 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Lewiston
$175,000 Price
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Nick Lucas
Responds QuicklyThe Boulos Company
(207) 707-6804
22 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Lewiston
$293K - $480K Price Range
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Lewiston | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 9 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 9 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
Robbery | 10 | 4 |
Burglary | 9 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 4 |
Larceny | 8 | 4 |
Crime Score | 9 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Lewiston Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Lewiston, Lewiston sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Lewiston, Lewiston over the last 12 months is $207,500, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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