BY TRACY KALER | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 5, 2023 | MANSION GLOBAL
The waterfront borough has undergone a renaissance in recent years yet retains its character and a strong sense of community
Countless hippies, artists and other free spirits have walked the streets of New Hope at one time or another. The eclectic village along the Delaware River is a charming and walkable borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb recognized for its rolling hills, working farms and pretty neighboring towns.
The Lenni-Lenape Native Americans settled on the plot nearly 10,000 years ago. But centuries later in the early 1700s, William Penn authorized the land’s sale to Robert Heath, who would build a mill and develop the acreage into a settlement. Called Coryell’s Ferry, the town would become New Hope, a prominent trade route to expedite goods between colonies along the river.
While that rich history still clings to New Hope Borough, today the alluring village offers an abundance of art, culture and cuisine, a trove of historic homes and inns and an idyllic waterfront locale.
“New Hope reminds you of a European river town,” said Sharon Spadaccini, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach in New Hope. “A town with river views is always a draw.”
Spadaccini, who’s lived in New Hope since 1999, said the borough has been revitalized in the past decade or so. Luxury hotels and additional dining choices have elevated the town’s hospitality scene, however New Hope has managed to retain its relaxed vibe, unique character and strong sense of community in spite of the improvements.
“New Hope has gone through a renaissance and for the better,” she said. “There’s something for everyone in New Hope now.”
Boundaries
New Hope is located along the west bank of the Delaware River on the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border, south of where Route 202 intersects the river, 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia and 70 miles southwest of Manhattan. Route 32, aka River Road or Main Street, is New Hope’s major artery. Across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge lies the equally alluring sibling town of Lambertville, New Jersey.
The name “New Hope” most often suggests the borough or downtown, which occupies less than 1.5 square miles. But Solebury Township surrounds the borough and also reflects a New Hope address.
Price Range
The New Hope housing market has always been competitive and is now more so since the pandemic, according to Cary Simons of Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty in New Hope. One-bedroom condos start in the $300,000 range, but luxury apartments can warrant much higher prices. “Condos on the higher end of the market sell for $3 million-plus at a small, gorgeous luxury waterfront community called Waterview,” Simons explained.
Townhouses typically start at about $400,000 and go up to $2.3 million, and detached single-family homes with two or three bedrooms that require updates start in the $500,000 range, Simons said. Sprawling estates outside the borough can cost in the millions.
This 44-acre estate is currently the priciest listing in the area.
“The highest current list price is $14.5 million for a magnificent estate nestled on 44-plus acres in a private setting with breathtaking views, stunning landscaping with formal gardens, a pond and two saltwater heated pools (indoor and outdoor),” Simons said.
Housing Stock
New Hope Borough features a variety of real estate options. Small condos, townhouses and detached homes comprise the housing stock, and historical homes mingle with new construction.
This home on River Road is on the market for $5.6 million.
Outside the borough in Solebury Township, the inventory is varied, with condos, townhomes, mostly detached single-family homes, including stone farmhouses from the 18th century to the early 19th century, custom-built newer houses and beautifully preserved farms, Simons said.
What Makes It Unique
Logistics are a significant draw. New Hope is ideally located between Philadelphia and New York City, offering residents the quietness of small-town life yet career opportunities and big-city amenities are available within a tolerable commute.
The Delaware River means New Hope is a destination for boating, kayaking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Running parallel to the river, the Delaware Canal Towpath is popular for walking, jogging and bike riding, Simons said. The landscape along the water is captivating, especially in autumn when leaf-peepers descend upon the town. “River Road is consistently ranked as a top scenic drive,” she added. “It is particularly gorgeous during the fall foliage.”
New Hope, a celebrated LGBTQ+ destination, has counted the Miss Gay Pennsylvania USofA Pageant among its offerings.
A creative hub since the early 20th century, New Hope has attracted artists, writers and craftspeople, establishing its quirky persona and warm-hearted spirit that still exists today. For decades, the village has been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community, even hosting an annual PrideFest Parade in partnership with Lambertville across the bridge. “It’s all about the people and the welcoming feeling,” Spadaccini said of the town she calls home. “It’s about being a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Luxury Amenities
According to publicschoolreview.org, the New Hope-Solebury School District ranks in the top 5% of schools in Pennsylvania. The only high school in the district, New Hope-Solebury High School received a 97% score from U.S. News and World Report and was ranked tenth in the state.
History, culture and the arts are ubiquitous in New Hope. Simons said the town features restaurants, stores and entertainment aplenty, such as the Bucks County Playhouse, antique shops, galleries and special events. With the revitalization that’s occurred in recent years, the offerings are more upscale than in the past. For instance, The Logan Inn was recently renovated; The Riverhouse at Odette’s, a luxury lifestyle hotel, opened in 2020; and the New Hope Ferry Market brings Greek, Turkish, Chinese and more cuisine types under one roof, Spadaccini said. But the character-filled buildings still stand.
“They tried to maintain the charm but brought those older buildings that needed some love up to date,” she added. A handful of historical inns, such as Olivia’s Bridge Street Inn and 1970 Wedgwood Inn, are pillars in the town and add to the appeal. The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad is a heritage train transporting passengers on excursions through picturesque Bucks County. Additional amenities include wineries, Parry Mansion Museum, the Bucks County Children’s Museum and other cultural institutions.
Who Lives There
Approximately 2,600 people live in New Hope, as per the 2020 census. Spadaccini said the population is diverse. “It’s all-inclusive [with] all types of people,” she said. Entrepreneurs and small business owners, executives who work in New York and Philadelphia, creative types and those with jobs in the tourism sector live there.
This stone farmhouse on Greenhill Road recently sold for $6 million.
While New Hope is a vacation destination and some folks have second homes there, most are full-time residents, Spadaccini confirmed. Though the population swells in spring and fall as the town bustles with tourists, she added that summer tends to be calmer as many New Hope denizens escape to their beach houses on the Jersey shore.
Notable Residents
Aaron Burr purportedly fled to New Hope after killing Alexander Hamilton and stayed in what is now the Aaron Burr House, a bed and breakfast named after the politician. A roster of famous actors, including Walter Matthau, Robert Redford, Jessica Tandy and Grace Kelly, have performed at the Bucks County Playhouse over the years.
The Bucks County Playhouse can be found in town.
Nowadays, celebrities seen wandering the village streets include Tina Fey and Leonardo DiCaprio. Meanwhile, Bella, Gigi and Yolanda Hadid, as well as One Direction’s Zayn Malik supposedly live in the New Hope area.
Outlook
Spadaccini said the market in and around New Hope is incredibly competitive, and folks purchasing with cash have the upper hand. “Despite high-interest rates and uncertainty with the economy, we remain unaffected and values continue to climb,” she explained. “We are low on inventory with a lot of cash buyers and very few homes to sell.”
She said a well-priced home in excellent condition typically goes under contract within about 18 days, usually garnering multiple offers well over the asking price. And some houses don’t make it to the open market at all. But since real estate “ebbs and flows,” she’s optimistic that inventory will increase and values will stabilize in the future.
Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty 