$589,116Average Value$387Average Price per Sq Ft33Homes For Sale
Historic neighborhood along Wilmington’s vibrant riverfront
History, culture and tourism intertwine in Old Wilmington. As its name suggests, this downtown neighborhood is one of the oldest in the city, stretching east from the Cape Fear River. This community attracts homebuyers and tourists for its waterside location, walkability and late 19th-century and early 20th-century architecture. Century-old homes blend with storybook bed & breakfasts and historic landmarks such as the Basilica of Saint Mary, a grand Spanish Baroque Catholic church built in 1909. The neighborhood includes part of Wilmington’s iconic Riverwalk and Front Street, a buzzing corridor for day and nightlife. “In Old Wilmington, we not only have beautiful homes and streets. There’s something really special about the people,” says Jan Brewington, owner of Dram Tree Realty. “People care about their homes and our community. A lot of them are involved in the arts and community service,” says Brewington, who grew up in Wilmington and now lives in the neighborhood. Homeowners can join the volunteer-run Residents of Old Wilmington, which focuses on historic preservation and neighborhood improvements.
Old Wilmington has its own stretch of the famous Riverwalk with restaurants and shops.
Historic homes with modern occupants are the mainstay of Old Wilmington.
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Preserved 19th-century homes on red brick streets
The wide neighborhood streets are a patchwork of pavement and red brick, shaded by mature trees and lined with sidewalks. The architecture is a feast for the eyes. Ornate Victorian, Queen Anne and Italianate homes tower over small 1920s Craftsman bungalows. “These are not little boxes. These homes stand out. The paint colors are all different, lawns are manicured, and front porches have swings and hanging ferns,” says Celeste Salzberg, a Realtor with Momentum Companies. While there’s no homeowners association, the historic district designation prohibits major changes. “The rule of thumb is ‘repair before you replace,’” says Brewington, who’s on the board of the Historic Wilmington Foundation. Most properties cost between $500,000 and $700,000. Elaborate estates over 4,300 square feet with four or more bedrooms start at $1 million and can top $1.5 million. As for the threat of hurricanes, Brewington says the risk of flooding from a storm is minimal. “Downtown is built on a hill, and property on the river is commercial. I’ve never heard of any flooding where the homes are.”
Red Brick sidewalks still run along some of teh streets in Old Wilmington .
Beautiful Italianate homes with detailed awnings are popular in Old Wilmington .
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The legend of the Dram Tree
Greenfield Park, the largest green space downtown, features a sprawling lake, playground and nature trails lined with azaleas. The lake is open to kayaks, although posted signs warn of alligators. “You do have to be careful. You should not go in the water by yourself,” Brewington warns. Robert Strange Park and the MLK Community Center are tucked between dense city blocks. Both are currently under renovation, set to reopen in spring 2025. The smaller Dram Tree Park, with a boat ramp and grassy lawn, sits along the Cape Fear River. It’s named after the legendary dram tree, a cypress shrouded in Spanish Moss that once stood tall in the middle of the river. The landmark was used by Colonial-era sailors heading into the Port of Wilmington. “When they saw the tree, they knew they could have a dram of rum. We call it a ‘safely in harbor cocktail’ around here,” Brewington says.
Some Old Wilmington diners may find some of the locals want to share their meal.
Putting your boat in to the Cape Fear is easy at the ramp in Dram Tree Park.
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Two different vibes on Front Street and the Riverwalk
Front Street is Wilmington's answer to New Orleans' famed Bourbon Street. Residents and bop in and out of historic buildings converted into restaurants, bars, boutiques and museums. “At some point, they want to make it a place where you can walk around with an alcoholic drink and enjoy,” says Salzberg, who’s lived in Wilmington since 2017. Eateries here range from contemporary to casual. Caprice is a classic French bistro, while Fork ‘N’ Cork is a popular burger joint. Shoppers can stop by the City Market Shops to browse a handful of specialty shops stocked with unique gifts, antiques, art and clothing. Nearby, local theaters entertain with live performances and films, including the historic Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, an opulent venue open since 1858. This bustling corridor is just one block from the Riverwalk, a nearly 2-mile stretch of boardwalk along the Cape Fear River that’s considered Wilmington’s top tourist attraction. “The Riverwalk is quiet and relaxing. It’s a great place to view the sunset,” says Derek Criscitiello, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage who lives in the area. As people enjoy a scenic walk, they pass by moored boats and waterfront seafood restaurants, including Pilot House and Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp. At the northern end sits the Live Oak Bank Pavilion, which draws musical acts from across the country. As for grocery stores, Brewington admits that there aren't many downtown. “I don’t have to get in my car to go to a coffee shop or yoga studio, but I do have to drive for groceries,” she says. Food Lion is the closest, about 2 miles away along Oleander Drive.
The Old Market houses many cool stores to throw back to Old Wilmington.
Old Wilmington sits along the waterfront in the southern part of downtown.
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Big festivals in the spring and fall
Wilmington’s biggest event of the year is the North Carolina Azalea Festival, held each April as thousands of pink azaleas bloom across the city. Revelers enjoy street fairs, parades, concerts and home & garden tours. Many festivities happen along Front and Market streets, so Old Wilmington residents are blocks away from the excitement. In the fall, residents can look forward to Riverfest. “It’s very much like the Azalea Festival. It’s just down on the river and in October. There are street fairs, river activities like raft races, concerts and fireworks,” Brewington says.
The Riverfront Market is Wilmington's oldest farmers market and is located in Old Wilmington.
Live bands play during the evenings and on weekends in Old Wilmington.
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An elementary school for budding artists
Annie H. Snipes Academy of Arts & Design earns a C-plus from Niche. The arts-focused magnet school features a design lab and is the only elementary school in Wilmington offering dance and instrumental music classes. Williston Middle receives a B-plus and offers a full sports roster, including basketball, lacrosse and volleyball. New Hanover High, the city’s oldest school dating to1922, gets a B-plus. The expansive campus includes a pedestrian bridge. “Students actually cross Market Street during the day by the sky bridge,” Salzberg says. Private education options include Saint Mary’s Catholic School and Cape Fear Academy. "We also have a very popular Quaker school called the Friends School of Wilmington," Brewington says. Cape Fear Community College is about a mile away. The University of North Carolina Wilmington is about 4 miles east.
The entrance to Snipes Academy of Arts & Design in Wilmington.
New Hanover High School is 1 of 9 high schools in the New Hanover County Schools.
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A walkable and bikeable neighborhood
Residents who work in the Central Business District along the riverfront have short, walkable commutes. Cyclists can take advantage of the many bikeable streets. Market Street and Oleander Drive (U.S. Highway 17) make for easy drives to Wrightsville Beach, about 9 miles east, and Wilmington International Airport, less than 5 miles north. Salzberg notes that parking in the neighborhood can be tricky. “When the houses were built, there were carriages, so a lot of these beautiful homes don’t have garages or alleyways.” Residents can register for a parking pass to park on the street for free. Four Wave Transit bus routes service the neighborhood, and the free Port City Trolley loops around downtown.
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On average, homes in Old Wilmington, Wilmington sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Wilmington, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $485,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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