$322,399Average Value$142Average Price per Sq Ft24Homes For Sale
The South End builds back
The history of La Fiorentina Pastry Shop tells the ups and downs of the historic South End neighborhood. Thousands of Italians immigrated to Springfield and settled in the South End in the early 1900s. Wealthy Springfield residents lived on the bluff on the neighborhood’s north end, while the newly arrived immigrants in the heart of the South End opened bakeries, restaurants and delis, including La Fiorentina, which debuted in 1946. “They had their own businesses they developed,” says Bill Fiore, an agent with William Raveis Real Estate who grew up in Springfield. “Some are still in business today as different generations have taken over.” In the following decades, many residents left South End. Some families were forced to leave in the ‘60s when the construction of Interstate 91 through the neighborhood destroyed 400 homes. More trouble followed in 2011 when a tornado ripped through the South End. In 2012, La Fiorentina opened another location in East Longmeadow, a small city south of Springfield, as the bakery followed its customers to the suburbs, Fiore says.
Still, the neighborhood south of Springfield’s downtown has persisted, thanks in part to the core of longstanding businesses, such as La Fiorentina, that line Main Street in the center of the South End. The neighborhood around that commercial strip is resurging, with amenities destroyed by the tornado being replaced and new homes being built.
Longstanding Italian businesses
Along Main Street, Zonin’s Gourmet Market makes its Italian sausage using the same recipe it used when the shop opened in 1927. A few blocks up Main Street, Red Rose Pizzeria serves many of the same recipes founder Edda Caputo brought with her from Naples in the early ‘60s. The neighborhood has evolved from an Italian enclave to a multiethnic community, with small markets selling Hispanic groceries opening over the years. The largest nearby grocery store is Food Zone International Supermarket about a mile southeast of the neighborhood.
Red Rose Pizzeria Has Several Dining Rooms With Seating Capacity For As Many As 400 Hungry Customers
Red Rose Has A Full Menu Of Italian Favorites But The Award Winning Pizza Is Their Specialty
1/2
The MGM Casino Stretches Between Downtown Springfield And The South End
Home of the Basketball Hall of Fame
A three-story silver sphere rising along the Connecticut River houses the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. James Naismith is credited with inventing basketball in 1891 while teaching at Springfield College. Every year, a new class of players and coaches travel to Springfield to be inducted and join more than 450 others who are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The institution’s museum portion recounts basketball’s history and displays artifacts, such as the jersey Wilt Chamberlain wore when he scored a record 100 points in a 1962 game. The Hall of Fame completed a $25 million renovation in 2021, adding interactive elements to exhibits, so visitors can test their knowledge about famous basketball plays or virtually appear alongside Shaquille O’Neal in an episode of “Inside the NBA.” A full-size basketball court in the center of the Hall of Fame is typically open to visitors who want to shoot around, but it also hosts high school tournaments and charity games.
The MGM Springfield opened on the neighborhood’s northwest end in 2018. The 125,000-square-foot gaming floor features slot machines, table games and a sportsbook. In addition to gaming, the casino brought a comedy club, restaurants and Topgolf. There’s a free garage where people can park and walk downtown, even if they’re not visiting the casino.
Neighborhood layout dates to the 17th century
When the English arrived in South End starting in the 1600s, each family received two narrow lots of land. One would stretch from the main road to the Connecticut River, and that’s the lot they would build their homes on. The other lot extended east of the road, and the family used it for harvesting firewood and building lumber. South End has the same layout today, with Main Street in the center of the neighborhood and side streets built over those lots. Today those side streets are lined with homes, their front porches bordering sidewalks and leaving no room for front yards. However, they typically have small backyards. Most South End residents rent, some living in one of the Queen Anne-style multifamily houses. Multifamily prices range from $200,000 to $430,000. Small single-family Victorians are on the south end; single-family homes are priced in the $200,000s. Home City Development built 40 townhouses in 2024 on the former site of a burned-down textile mill. The townhouses, priced between $170,000 and $230,000, are only available to first-time buyers. The neighborhood’s CAP Index Crime Score is 8 out of 10, with 10 indicating highest crime. That’s much higher than the national average of 4.
Two Family Homes Can Be Found On Many Of The South End's Residential Streets
Housing In The South End Is Mostly A Mix OF Single And Two Family Homes
1/2
The Ball Fields And Playground At Emerson Wight Park Provide South End Residents With Recreation Opportunities
Exploring the riverfront
A portion of the nearly 4-mile Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway stretches through South End. Pedestrians and cyclists on the paved path get views of the river to the west and occasional glimpses of the Springfield skyline to the east. Users can exit the trail on its north end and walk less than half a mile to reach the heart of Metro Center, Springfield’s downtown. Meanwhile, children have played at Emerson Wright Playground for more than a century. The park’s splash pad is open during the summer, the same time of year when an inflatable projector screen pops up to show a kid-friendly film as part of the city’s Movies in the Park series. The 2011 tornado destroyed the original South End Community Center, but a new center opened at Emerson Wight Playground in 2017. The center organizes after-school programs and basketball leagues for kids from toddlers to teens.
White Street Elementary School keeps kids minds intact.
Career pathways at High School of Commerce
Children can go to White Street School, a public elementary school that receives a Niche grade of C, and after fifth grade attend C-minus-rated South End Middle School. When students reach eighth grade, Springfield Public Schools allows families to select their preferred high schools in January and February. A lottery in March and April determines what high school children attend. One of the closest is C-scored High School of Commerce. Ninth graders at the high school can choose from one of three career pathways — advanced manufacturing, health & human services and information technology — that will influence their courses for the next four years.
Taste of Italy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Since 1992, Our Lady of Mount Carmel has put together a feast of pasta, pastries and wine during Taste of Italy every October. Following Mass at the Catholic church, dozens dine at long tables inside South End Middle School. Our Lady of Mount Carmel founded the event nearly 90 years after Italian immigrants started the parish in 1907. On the other side of Main Street from the church, the Italian Cultural Center of Western Mass hosts Italian language classes and cooking classes. Members pay discounted fees, but non-members can join the cultural center’s programs.
Public Transit Is Plentiful In The South End With Bus Routes Connecting To Nearby Towns Or Union Station
Walking and bussing to downtown Springfield
Most homes are within a third of a mile of Main Street, so residents can walk to one of the restaurants or stores along the road in as little as five minutes. Main Street is lined with Pioneer Valley Transit Authority stops, where buses pick up passengers on their way to Metro Center and Mercy Medical Center, one of Springfield’s largest hospitals. In Metro Center, Union Station serves as an Amtrak stop for trains headed to Boston, Albany and New York. Interstate 91 cuts through the west side of the neighborhood, routing to cities north of Springfield, such as Chicopee and Holyoke. Drivers can also take the interstate 20 miles south to Bradley International Airport and 12 miles farther to Hartford.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Juan Lopera-Martinez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
River Front Park
Bike Trails
Trails
Playground
Pynchon Point
Leonardo da Vinci Park
Keep Springfield Beautiful
Johnny Appleseed Park
Emerson Wight Park
Transit
Airport
Bradley International
30 min drive
Bus
Main & Morris
Bus
Main & William
Bus
Main & York
Bus
Maple & Avon (1)
Bus
Main & Margaret
Bus
Mill & Locust
Bus
Pine & Mill
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South End
US
Homicide
10
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
10
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South End, Springfield sell after 177 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in South End, Springfield over the last 12 months is $226,000, down 23% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Owner/occupant with 20% down could live rent free in this income producing property as rent from 2 apartments would cover mortgage payments. Investors take notice this 3 family home has been completely renovated and is Lead Compliant! You do not want to miss the income potential in this property! 1st and 2nd flr units have 3-4 bedrooms with one bath, 3rd flr unit has 2-3 bed 1 bath. Gas Heat in
Income-producing multi family property in the heart of Springfield! This solid asset features recent updates in the last few years including a newer roof, upgraded heating systems, mechanicals, and a dedicated owner’s electric panel – making for easy and efficient property management. The exterior boasts low-maintenance vinyl siding and a paved driveway offering ample off-street parking. All
$4,450 a month of Income. This Beautiful Victorian 2 family home pays for itself and has had a 100% renovation 5 years ago. This house was stripped to the studs. New HVAC, Electric and plumbing throughout. New roof(including plywood sheathing). Harvey energy efficient windows. New toilet, sinks, and vanities. New kitchens including all new appliances. New bathrooms including shower/tub and
New Colony Court Apartment homes is among the city of Springfield's largest apartments with spacious floor plans, nine foot ceilings and hardwood floors. Many homes include full size dining rooms often used as an office. At New Colony Court you will enjoy plush landscaped community. The convenience of an on-site bus stop. Plus just minutes from down town Springfield, Major Highways. Convenient to
3BR Available in Springfield close to downtown. Dishwasher, laundry in the building ,free parking space, Easy access to the express way. Grocery shop walking distance, 5 minutes to Starbucks, MGM, Panera bread and hall of fame, all the restaurant. Next to children's park.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Juan Lopera-Martinez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,230
Median Age
33
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30.5%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$21,748
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$32,530
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
55.8%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
7.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.8%
% Population in Labor Force
39.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
65/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
67/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: 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.
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.
