$587,220Average Value$360Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
East side neighborhood offers culture, community and convenience
Nestled at the narrow part of Madison’s isthmus, the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood blends older homes with pockets of shopping, dining and nightlife, all with proximity to downtown and the University of Wisconsin. Recent development along East Washington Avenue has brought new businesses and high-density housing, while 100-year-old homes still line other streets. “East Wash used to be car lot after car lot after car lot,” says Ben Anton, a Realtor with Lauer Realty and host of the “Real Estate in the 608” podcast. “And a couple of paint factories, too. When those left, it paved the way for the high-rise apartments, and the businesses filled in after them.” An active neighborhood association works to build community and host events. “I’ve lived here since 1984,” says Patty Prime, member chair of the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association. “People find they just love it here. Easy transportation, lots to do. It’s exciting and fun. There are all ages living here. I’ve stayed because I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people.”
Tenney Lapham is rich in history, with many buildings older than 100 years.
Tenney Lapham is jus a stone's throw from downtown Madison, and its capitol square.
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Longtime businesses thrive on Johnson Street
Local shops dot a few blocks of East Johnson Street in the center of Tenney-Lapham, several of which have been around for decades, like Burnie’s Rock Shop and Spruce Tree Music & Repair. “I love it here,” says Doug Craemer-Meihsner, an instrument repairperson at Spruce Tree. “We’ve survived the Guitar Centers all these years because we have neighborhood regulars and people from all over the state and beyond.” Locals can sip lattes at Johnson Street Public House and Cargo Coffee, two neighborhood cafes, or order sandwiches at Hot Lunch. For soccer fans, Baldwin Street Grill is a designated spot for Liverpool fans. “They’ve got great breakfast,” says Ali Kane, a broker associate with Stark Company Realtors. “And there’s a burrito the size of your torso.” Madison’s famous State Street Pedestrian Mall, 8 blocks of shops and restaurants between the university and Capitol building, is under 2 miles away for even more options. The closest grocery store is Festival Foods on East Washington Avenue.
Vintage Arcade Games Found at Aftershock Classic Arcade.
The Turn Key Restaurant in Tenney-Lampham, A Fine Dining Restaurant in a Historic Brick Building.
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Lakefront properties, older homes and growing density
Tenney-Lapham housing is diverse in style and type. Its proximity to the University of Wisconsin means numerous rental properties are sprinkled among single-family homes like newer high-rise apartments along East Washington Avenue and houses with upwards of six bedrooms, often rented by younger folks. Single-family homes are mostly Craftsman, American Foursquares, and Tudor styles built in the early 20th century. “You have to like those old homes and be okay with their quirks,” says Mary Browning, a broker associate with Compass Realty. “No garages, tiny yards. Not very energy efficient. But it’s a great quality of life. Really dreamy and adorable urban living.” Besides the thoroughfares of East Washington, Johnson and Gorham, the streets are quiet, with tall trees and varied landscaping. Residents strolling along Sherman Avenue might hear Lake Mendota lapping the shoreline, or smell the aromas from Hot Lunch or the John Public House on Johnson Street. Prices range as widely as designs: most single-family homes cost between $315,000 and $650,000. Large homes bordering Lake Mendota on Sherman Avenue can range from $1.5 million to almost $3 million.
You can also find some Tudor and Colonial-styled houses in Tenney-Lapham.
Many of the homes in Tenney Lapham are two-story and invoke traditional architecture.
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Lake access and winter sports at Tenney Park
Green space and outdoor activities are an important part of the fabric of Tenney-Lapham. Tenney Park offers access to Lake Mendota and the Yahara River. When the winding lagoon in the park freezes over, it becomes one of Madison’s busiest ice-skating spots. Native plant restoration is ongoing around the lagoon. Tenney Park was named after Daniel Tenney, a Madison lawyer in the 1850s who eventually gave the land to the Madison Pleasure Drive Association. “This was before cities took the time to curate their own spaces,” Anton says. “People even used to picnic in cemeteries because that was the open space available.” The park is nearly 40 acres and home to a playground and athletic courts but also offers kayaking and fishing. Giddings Park is a small slope at the edge of Lake Mendota. Reynolds Field is home to a reservable bike polo court on top of the Madison Pump Station building.
Locals enjoy playing hockey on the ice in Tenney Park in winter.
When the beach is frozen, ice fishing is another option at Tenney Park.
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Taste of Tenney and Party in the Park bring the neighborhood together
The neighborhood association hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as the Taste of Tenney in the fall and the Party in the Park each June. “A couple hundred people came to the Party in the Park. It’s a family-oriented event with a picnic,” Prime says. “We’ve had drum circles and a hairdresser dyeing hair. Burnie’s Rock Shop hid dinosaurs in a big sand pile one year for kids to find.” Other events include a long-running art walk. “And one time, a neighbor had people make these frozen lanterns, and we lined a path through Tenney Park,” Prime says. “It was beautiful, but very cold.”
Unique elementary school structure at Lapham and Marquette
Students in Tenney-Lapham can attend Lapham Elementary, which serves kindergarten through second grade before heading across the isthmus to Marquette Elementary for third grade through fifth grade. Niche grades Lapham B-plus and Marquette A-minus. O’Keeffe Middle earns a B-plus, as does East High School. East is Madison’s oldest public high school still in operation. Designed by famed local architect Frank Riley, it opened its doors in 1922. East offers AP classes and boasts several famous alums, including Bradley Whitford of “The West Wing.”
Lampham Elementary School front entrance and signage.
Parents of east Madison may send their children to Sherman Middle School.
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Central location makes walking and biking feasible
Tenney-Lapham’s location is a key part of its appeal. “It’s so bikeable, so busable,” Prime says. “Years ago, neighbors advocated for creating the paved path along the Yahara River that connects the two lakes. It connects the bike paths on both sides of the isthmus. It’s always busy.” Madison Metro buses run along Johnson and Gorham streets as well as East Washington Avenue. Downtown Madison is less than 2 miles west, and the University of Wisconsin is just past downtown. The Dane County Regional Airport is 6 miles away, and Meriter Hospital is under 3 miles away. Due to its location right on the isthmus, streets have been known to flood occasionally. “It’s more street flooding than house flooding,” Anton says. “But it’s something to be aware of.”
You can take the bike lane or catch a bus downtown from Tenney Lapham.
Residents of Tenney Lapham appreciate its vibrant arts culture.
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Poetry, art, music and sports events all within walking distance
In addition to the neighborhood events, Tenney-Lapham is close to several music venues, including the Sylvee, the High Noon Saloon and the Arts & Literature Laboratory, or ALL, a combination art gallery, educational space and event venue that hosts concerts and literary readings. “One of the cool things about ALL is that it's open to everyone,” says Rita Mae Reese, one of ALL’s Co-Directors. “We have lots of youth camps and programming, but creativity shouldn’t stop when you turn 18, and here it doesn’t.” Breese Stevens Field is home to Forward Madison FC, a professional USL soccer team, and the Madison Radicals, a professional ultimate frisbee team. It also hosts concerts in the summer.
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On average, homes in Tenney-Lapham, Madison sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Tenney-Lapham, Madison over the last 12 months is $456,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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