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How to Build a Thriving Small City

BPG’s approach to residential housing in Wilmington

BY CHRISTINE SCHONTUBE

BUCCINI POLLIN GROUP INC. (BPG) has been a prominent figure in the Wilmington real estate market for the past three decades. Along with ResideBPG, the affiliate residential leasing and management company, BPG has developed nearly 2,600 residential units and brought over 5,000 residents to the City of Wilmington.

Prior to BPG’s development in the city, the Central Business District (CBD) was home to approximately 130 residents. Recognizing the need for more residents and more diversified housing, the developers saw a vision for Wilmington to be a place where people can live where they work. With an overflow of vacant land, abandoned and condemned buildings, along with the inability to annex land to grow like other municipalities in the state, BPG got to work. In a continued effort to develop within the city, the company has worked to repurpose blighted and underutilized properties to provide new housing types, grow the resident base, create jobs, and increase the tax revenue stream to the city.

Since the turn of the century, BPG’s focus has been to provide upscale yet affordable rental homes to rival surrounding cities and attract top talent for our state’s workforce. Starting in 1999, BPG developed their first residential community—fully-furnished, extended stay apartments catered to the workforce. BPG then renovated the vacant and historic Delaware Trust Building located in the heart of the CBD into market rate apartments.

In the following years, BPG established the first residential developments along the Christina River as part the Riverfront Wilmington revitalization, which underwent extensive brownfield remediation to create townhomes, condos, and apartment units that attracted residents to the city who preferred the green space. In time, focus shifted back onto Market Street with the renovation of vacant historic buildings along Market Street, including an affordable apartment community at the prime intersection of Ninth and Market Streets. Development has continued across both new construction and office-to-residential conversion projects.

Prior to 2015, 95% of residents in BPG’s portfolio moved to Wilmington for their jobs. Presently, only about 65% are from out of town, though the population is steadily increasing due to people choosing to stay in Wilmington. In the wake of the pandemic, Wilmington saw an influx of residents moving to the area from densely populated neighboring cities.

As more people look to move to Wilmington, BPG recognizes the need to not only deliver upscale living accommodations but also the lifestyle options necessary to attract and retain residents. BPG is responsible for owning and operating Makers Alley, Wilma’s, DE.CO Food Hall, The Queen Theater, and The Chase Fieldhouse. Other investments include the critically acclaimed Bardea, Penn Cinema, The Quoin Hotel, and Constitution Yards Beer Garden.

Today, BPG consistently delivers on average 250 apartment units per year in Wilmington to not only accommodate those moving to the city for their jobs but also local residents who are intrigued by the new lifestyle Wilmington offers. What began as extended-stay housing for travelers nearly 30 years ago has grown into a thriving residential where people may come for jobs but stay to call Wilmington home.

Christine Schontube is senior vice of residential operations for Buccini Pollin Group.

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