$761,928Average Value$792Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
Downtown Portland lives up to its motto
Downtown Portland is a testament to the city’s motto, “Resurgam,” which means “I shall rise again.” While the area was almost destroyed twice – once during the Revolutionary War and again during the Great Fire of 1866 – a walk along the brick sidewalks tells a story of resilience and rebuilding. Many of the oldest factories have been turned into condos, breathing new life into historic buildings. There is a vibrant art scene, with murals and sculptures on almost every street. Folks can spend the day at one of the many museums in the city and choose from more than 100 restaurants. There is a different event nearly every weekend, with markets in Monument Square and First Friday Art Walks every month. “Those who like downtown love the architecture, the excitement and the walkability,” says Realtor Jed Rathband, of Rathband Company at Keller Williams, and a longtime resident of the peninsula.
Exchange Street in Downtown Portland is a popular street lined with gift shops and food choices.
Local bands gather at Postmark Park for a good time in Downtown Portland.
1/2
Lively dining and shopping scene
With the Maine coast as a backdrop, downtown offers plenty of seafood options. This includes DiMillo’s on the Water, a fine-dining establishment, and the more casual Gilbert’s Chowder House, which has served the community for over 30 years. However, Downtown Portland’s food scene offers so much more than seafood. “I always tell people, it’s like New Orleans,” says Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, a nonprofit dedicated to the continuing growth of the area, and resident of 8 years. “You can’t have a bad meal if you choose a local restaurant. The market is so strong that it doesn’t tolerate bad food.” One shining example is Leeward, an Italian restaurant twice nominated for a James Beard Award since it opened in 2020. Both Rathband and Tyson recommend Bard Coffee, a café next to two of the city’s many parks, Tommy’s Park and Post Office Park. “They just have such good coffee and great service,” Rathband says. The area also has several independent shops, such as the Art Mart, which sells artist materials, and Little Ghost, a vintage clothing store. Folks can either get their groceries from Trader Joe’s or Hannaford, both within 1 mile. Target, Walmart and Lowe’s are all about a 7-mile drive.
Downtown Portland's Shipwreck & Cargo has a variety of Maine local merchandise.
DiMillo's floating restaurant has been a favorite stop for visitors.
1/2
Comfortable for commuters
Downtown Portland is a walkable community, but it is more than that. Tyson describes the walks as “lovable,” with wide, brick sidewalks and decorated resting spots leading to the restaurant district. Many people also get around on bicycles, either their own or ones rented from Tandem Mobility, a bikeshare program with over 40 stops in the city. Drivers share the road with the Greater Portland Metro, which has several bus routes connecting downtown to the rest of the area. Franklin Street borders the neighborhood and connects with Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1. Portland International Jetport is about 5 miles away, and the nearest emergency room is at Maine Medical Center.
Downtown Portland has an excellent public transportation system for local commuters.
Downtown Portland is easily accessed by I-95.
1/2
Apartments and condos in converted buildings
Sidewalks lead directly from the restaurant scene to the condos that over 4,000 people call home. That number is only expected to grow. “The downtown is changing rapidly,” Rathband says. “A lot of what was traditionally office buildings are being converted to residential. The number of people who are going to be living downtown, and on the peninsula in general, continues to increase.” Many of those red-brick office buildings turned into condos are from the 1800s. Several contemporary units pay homage to the older architecture in the city. Prices for a one-bedroom condo tend to range from $425,000 to $525,000, while two bedrooms can cost between $650,000 and $875,000. Mid-20th century condos on the shore, featuring balconies facing the sunrise in the east, cost between $1 million and $1.2 million. Most residents are renters.. Although single-family houses are rare, there are some Victorian-era and Federal homes in the neighborhood that typically go for $850,000 to $1.1 million. Downtown Portland receives a CAP Index Crime Score of eight out of 10, compared to the national average of four.
Chandler's Wharf Condominiums in Downtown Portland feature stunning waterfront views.
19th century buildings have homes on the upper levels and local businesses below.
1/2
Artistic events throughout the year
The neighborhood boasts a full calendar of events, many embracing the city’s creative energy. First Friday Art Walks kick off each month with a stroll through the many galleries in the area. The Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is an annual all-day celebration of local artists that started in June 2021, with over 60 live performances and 40 vendors selling their art. Portland Downtown hosts the Monumental Market every Friday from June to September to support the many makers in the city. Other highlights throughout the year are the Old Port Half Marathon and the Portland Parade of Lights on Casco Bay each holiday season.
Downtown Portland
The Portland Symphony Opening Weekend Block Party offers music, food and activities for all.
1/2
Outdoor and indoor fun in Downtown Portland
With so many places to visit, there is always something to do. History buffs can explore Lincoln Park, Portland’s first public green space that is being renovated, and Fort Allen Park, a military base in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The Eastern Promenade Trail connects the park to East End Beach, the only public beach in the area. At the Portland Museum of Art, which opened in 1882, patrons can see over 18,000 works, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Claude Monet. The Portland Public Library is across the street from Monument Square, a gathering place at the center of the city. “It’s the place where people protest, it’s the place where people pray,” Tyson says. “It’s where the people go in public to get their message out.”
The Fort Allen Park is an urban neighborhood park near Downtown Portland.
Residents in Downtown Portland flock to East End Beach for summer fun.
1/2
Portland High students can enroll at PATHS
The neighborhood is served by Portland Public Schools, with Reiche Community School receiving a C-plus from Niche and King Middle School scoring a C. Portland High School (PHS) earns a B-minus and partners with Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) to offer hands-on learning for programs ranging from masonry to biomedical and health science. If students enroll in a program at PATHS, they can take a maximum of four classes at PHS. Downtown is also home to the Maine College of Art and Design, which Tyson describes as a “destination school for artists.” It offers a bachelor's and master's degree in fine arts and a pre-college intensive for high schoolers.
Portland Hight School has a diverse student population that represents a variety of backgrounds.
The East End Community School is affiliated with the Portland Public Schools district.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Downtown Portland, Portland sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Portland, Portland over the last 12 months is $656,250, down 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to the John How House, said to be the only single family home adjacent to the Old Port. This fabulous brick home is overflowing with style and charm including original interior shutters and several fireplaces. The rare private fenced in yard is just the perfect city space with mature plantings including a wonderful Magnolia tree. The kitchen has a bold brick fireplace with a gas stove
The best private rooftop in Portland - just in time for summer. This luxurious loft-style condo offers you a unique blend of modern elegance in the heart of downtown Portland. The home boasts an expansive open concept kitchen, living room and dining area, designed with high end finishes, a gas fireplace, custom woodwork, and stunning floor to ceiling windows that flood the space with natural
Experience Maine's luxury coastal living at 383 Commercial Street at Hobson's Landing, Portland's premier waterfront address, recently completed in 2024. This 5th floor, two bedroom residence offers a rare opportunity to own a sophisticated urban condo in a prime Old Port location. Designed for effortless single level living, the open concept layout connects an eat-in kitchen, dining area, and a
Portlands newest and finest apartment residence, The Casco is a majestic building set at the top of Portlands renowned Old Port District. The tallest building in Maine, with the best views of the ocean, in Portlands most walkable location, and with delightful common spaces and amenities, The Cascos apartments are the very best in Portland apartment living. The Casco is a LiveRedfern Property.
The "Casco Crows Nest" is an upscale, penthouse condominium overlooking Casco Bay on Fish Point, providing ocean views on three sides. It is the highest water’s edge view in the bustling downtown Portland vicinity. From the balcony, one takes in sweeping views of ships and pleasure crafts in Casco Bay, scores of islands including Fort Gorges, Peak’s Island, and others. The private balcony
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
