$320,789Average Value$272Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Brick pergolas flank the entrance to Sunset Park.
A neighborhood shaped by Wilmington's history
Originally marketed as a planned development for Wilmington’s wealthy in the early 1900s, Sunset Park's name indicates one of its initial draws: views of the mesmerizing sunsets over the Cape Fear River. Developers couldn’t predict that the Port of Wilmington would eventually block this view and that two world wars would shift plans from upscale custom homes to quicker builds for a growing workforce. The result is a special blend of architecture in which picturesque Queen Annes share the block with minimal traditional homes, helping Sunset Park land on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. “When I moved there in 2017, it was one of the best-kept secrets of Wilmington,” says Caroline Harrison, a Realtor and broker with Intracoastal Realty Corporation. Today, this enclave is experiencing a shift once more due to a booming renovation-to-rental market fueled by competitive home values.
Sunset Park features a wide range of single story ranch homes.
Homes with World War II history
Two brick pergolas welcome residents entering the neighborhood on Northern Boulevard, where some of Sunset Park's notable architecture rests, including Queen Annes and Craftsman bungalows dating to the early 1900s. “Residents know each other, know the houses and know the history of the houses,” says Harrison, adding that the neighborhood association actively works to beautify the community. Most homes here are Cape Cods or minimal traditional dwellings built initially for shipyard workers during World War II. Buyers can also find Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and American Foursquare styles. Properties are a little over a 1/10 of an acre in size and sit close together, divided by short driveways that lead to detached garages. Prices range from $200,000 to $450,000, with most homes listing in the $300,000s. Well-maintained, updated properties with manicured lawns along Northern Boulevard can top $500,000. With home values significantly lower than the Wilmington average of $548,000, Harrison says the rental market is booming, with people renovating homes and turning them into rentals. While there is a risk of flooding here, Harrison says, “It’s protected by the port from storms. When Hurricane Florence came, I felt extremely safe.” She also notes that homes near the port on Burnett Boulevard can hear noise at night.
Sunset Park residents can enjoy Winnie's Tavern's famous burgers for lunch or dinner.
Mouthwatering burgers at Winnie’s Tavern
The locally owned and operated Winnie’s Tavern is a neighborhood mainstay. Open since 1962, this casual eatery with nautical décor is known for its variety of burgers, such as the Trailer Park Burger, topped with fried green tomatoes, bacon and jalapeno pimento cheese. The restaurant used to have a drive-through, but today, it offers curbside service. Benny's Big Time Pizzeria is the local spot for a classic pie or pasta, while True Blue Butcher and Barrel serves steak and whiskey flights in its contemporary digs. Next door is the Satellite Bar and Lounge, which offers evenings of cornhole, craft beer and live music. It’s housed in a historic brick building that was once a supermarket. Tapping into those roots, Satellite hosts a Second Sunday Market each month, with local vendors selling vintage records, artisan crafts and flowers. More nightlife awaits downtown along Front Street, about 3 miles away. For everyday needs, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods Market and Independence Mall, featuring department stores like Belk and Dillard's, lie along Oleander Drive, less than 5 miles away.
Sunset Park Elementary School in Wilmington, NC has a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
An elementary school within walking distance
Children can walk to Sunset Park Elementary School. Earning a B-minus from Niche, the school provides annual programming like the African American Read-In, where community members are invited into classrooms to read children’s books by African American authors and illustrators. Williston Middle School receives a B-minus rating, while New Hanover High School earns a B-plus. The high school is ranked the fifth-best public school in the Wilmington area, and parts of the campus can be seen in movies and TV shows, such as “One Tree Hill,” a teen drama series shot primarily in Wilmington in the early 2000s. Saint Mary Catholic School and Cape Fear Academy are two nearby private options.
Greenfield Park's outdoor amphitheatre provides live entertainment to Sunset Park residents.
Paddle around Greenfield Lake
Small green spaces like Cameron Park and Sunset & Adams Park dot the neighborhood, but Harrison says most residents visit the expansive Greenfield Park. Known for its large tree-lined lake, Greenfield Park features a skate park, 1,200-seat amphitheater, playground and a 4 1/2-mile multi-use trail that loops around the water. Residents can rent paddleboats or canoes to see turtles and other wildlife up close. Posted signs warn of alligators, usually six to eight feet long, that are known to swim in the algae-covered water. The ordinarily quiet park becomes a bustling destination in the summer for a concert series held at the amphitheater. “People come out with paddle boats or kayaks to listen to the concerts from the water,” Harrison says. Along the southwest end of the lake is the Legion Sports Complex, home to the Wilmington Sharks, a collegiate summer league baseball team. “I take my son there all the time. They have things like dog night in the park and kid night,” says Dan Barentine, a longtime Wilmington resident and broker with Nest Realty. The facility also has two soccer fields, pickleball courts and an outdoor pool.
Residents can bike around Greenfield Park, a 190-acre park.
A walkable and bikeable neighborhood
Streets around the neighborhood are lined with thin concrete sidewalks, making it easy to get around on foot. Cyclists can take two bike-friendly streets, Central and Burnett boulevards, to reach the paved multi-use trail encircling Greenfield Lake. Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Route 421) runs along the eastern edge of Sunset Park, connecting Wilmington to Carolina Beach, about 12 miles away. Shipyard Boulevard (U.S. Route 117) starts at the Port of Wilmington and connects with College Road, a major city thoroughfare. Barentine notes, “You have your port traffic with 18-wheelers.” But Harrison says, "Traffic within the neighborhood is nothing.” Downtown Wilmington is about 3 miles away, and residents can reach it by hopping on a Wave Transit bus at stops dotting Carolina Beach Road. Wilmington International Airport is about 7 miles away.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Kris Bates
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On average, homes in Sunset Park, Wilmington sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunset Park, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $296,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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