$425,398Average Value$371Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Downtown neighborhood known for its investment opportunities
Orange and pink sunsets over the Cape Fear River, outdoor concerts and luxury condos blocks from Wilmington’s Central Business District. That’s what draws homebuyers and investors to Upper Downtown. Residents blend in with tourists and college students in this small, bustling neighborhood featuring several marinas, the Wilmington Convention Center and the Live Oak Bank Pavilion. “It’s a great place for investors to have weekend places they can rent out in high season,” says Celeste Salzberg, a Realtor with Momentum Companies who’s lived in Wilmington since 2017. She notes that there are no restrictions for short-term rentals. “It’s hard to resist not doing it because you can make $2,000 in a weekend,” Salzberg says. With visitors outnumbering homeowners here, residents like to head east to the Brooklyn Arts District to avoid the crowds.
Waterfront properties and hotels for conventions are mainstays of Upper Downtown.
Upper Downtown offers spectacular sunset views over the water of the Cape Fear River.
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Locally loved eateries in the Brooklyn Arts District
Mariners dock their boats outside Marina Grill, a relaxed riverside restaurant featuring a surf and turf menu. Tequila’s Waterfront is the neighborhood spot for Mexican cuisine and margaritas. Residents can walk a few blocks east to the Brooklyn Arts District, which features artsy eateries, local watering holes, and entertainment venues. Family recipes are used to make the mouthwatering donuts at Brooklyn Café and the homemade ice cream at Boombalatti’s. Bottega Art & Wine pairs wine with art, and Salzberg says The Eagle’s Dare draws people from across the city for country line dancing. The Historic District offers more bars, live music venues and trendy restaurants along Front Street. While the downtown area is sprinkled with corner stores and small markets, most residents leave the neighborhood for groceries. Food Lion and Harris Teeter are about 3 and 4 miles away. “There are rumors of a Publix going in by the amphitheater, but who knows how long that’ll be? We’re on Carolina time,” Salzberg says.
Upper Downtown is lit up at night with outdoor dining and boats on the marina.
Donuts are on the menu at Brooklyn Cafe near Upper Downtown.
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Luxury condos, modern townhouses and single-family homes
Modern apartments, riverfront hotels, and contemporary office space make up most of the real estate in Upper Downtown. Still, there are opportunities to buy single-family homes and condos close to the action. One and two-bedroom condos sit in brick, contemporary and Art Deco buildings that rise three to five stories high, often with retail space on the first floor. The units offer open floor plans and modern finishes. Some come with exposed brick walls, balconies and separate storage spaces. A parking spot is included or leasable, usually in a surface lot next to the building. Condos range from $350,000 to $465,000 and have monthly HOA fees between $300 and $400. Townhouses are contemporary in design, often rising three stories high with two or three bedrooms. Along with private decks, balconies or rooftop patios, some have attached garages, a rare feature in downtown Wilmington. Townhouses can cost between $530,000 and $760,000, with monthly HOA fees between $100 and $500. Single-family homes here rest close together on quieter streets dotted with mature trees. Buyers will mostly find bungalows with covered front porches. Victorians, two-story Traditional homes and new construction are sprinkled in between. Prices range from $350,000 to $600,000.
Upper Downtown is seeing many of its older homes getting some updates.
Larger homes in Upper Downtown fetch a premium price.
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Outdoor activities along the Riverwalk
In Upper Downtown, life revolves around the riverfront. Boaters can cruise along the Cape Fear River, which features tidal marshes and creeks north of the city. Heading south, they can enjoy the city skyline, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Riverfront Park, anchored by the Live Oak Bank Pavilion, is popular for relaxing or enjoying live music. “There are always people out there,” says Derek Criscitiello, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “It’s a unique space where you can just hang out and be social,” says Criscitiello, who lives in the neighboring Brooklyn Arts District. Residents can stretch their legs for over a mile by strolling down The Riverwalk. The boardwalk is Wilmington’s top attraction, lined with boutiques and seafood restaurants. Northside Park offers a traditional park experience with a playground, picnic shelter and a public outdoor pool.
The Riverwalk is one of Upper Downtown's most well known places to visit.
Fishing off the piers in the Cape Fear River is a popular activity in Upper Downtown.
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A fall festival celebrating the Cape Fear River
Residents in Upper Downtown are in a key location to experience Riverfest. Held the first full weekend in October, the free street festival celebrates the Cape Fear River and downtown Wilmington, drawing tens of thousands of people to the city. The event, first created in 1979, features a street fair along Water Street. Revelers can peruse dozens of artisan vendors, marvel at classic cars, enjoy fried festival treats and watch live performances. Saturday night, people line up along the Riverwalk to watch fireworks light up the night sky.
Friends are enjoying Friday Night Live! on the Pier in downtown Wilmington.
The band performs at Friday Night Live! on the Pier.
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Budding artists start at Snipes Academy
All three public schools zoned for Upper Downtown are within 2 miles of the neighborhood. Annie H. Snipes Academy of Arts & Design earns a C-plus from Niche. The magnet elementary school features a design lab and weaves the arts into its curriculum. Williston Middle receives a B-plus. Its seventh grade students can join the district’s Career and Leadership Development Academy to explore local industries through field trips. New Hanover High gets a B-plus and offers a competitive athletics program, winning state championships in multiple sports, including soccer, baseball, football and tennis. Among several private options, Saint Mary Catholic School is the closest, about a mile south. Residents seeking higher education can walk to Cape Fear Community College or head about 5 miles east to the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
The entrance to Snipes Academy of Arts & Design in Wilmington.
New Hanover High School serves over 1400 students in the Wilmington, NC area.
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Walkable commutes into Historic Downtown
Upper Downtown neighbors Wilmington’s Central Business District. Commuters can easily walk to companies near the riverfront or board a Wave Transit bus at Padgett Station to reach destinations across the city. There are several bike-friendly streets in the neighborhood, as well. The free Port City Trolley is another option, looping up and down the riverfront. Drivers can take U.S. Route 74 east to Wrightsville Beach, about 10 miles away, or follow the same highway west all the way to Charlotte and Asheville. Wilmington International Airport is about 4 miles away. Market Street leads to Midtown and Independence Mall.
Upper Downtown is a bikable neighborhood with everything you need a short ride away.
Upper Downtown has sidewalks on most streets making it a walkable location.
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
Are you familiar with the Upper Downtown neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Upper Downtown
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Upper Downtown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Upper Downtown, Wilmington sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Upper Downtown, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $370,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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The Domenico Grillo Real Estate TeamKeller Williams Innovate-Wilmington
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