WILMINGTON – Development firm Buccini/Pollin Group celebrated the topping out of its latest residential development Crosby Hill on Wednesday morning.
During the ceremony, a structural beam was raised to the roof of the 11-story building, signifying a major milestone in the development of the 203-unit, multi-family community coming to 517 Shipley St. this fall.
Following remarks from Mayor Mike Purzycki; Rob Buccini, co-president of BPG; and Chris Langan, residential regional director for BPG; guests, neighbors, and project partners were invited to sign the beam prior to its raising by the 150 foot-tall crane that’s been a focal point of the city skyline for the past eight months. The development, which is nearly halfway complete, brings over 200 construction jobs to Wilmington throughout the project.
Designed by Niles Bolton Associates, the $62 million development includes a pair of four-story buildings and a single 11-story building surrounding a private, landscaped courtyard with a swimming pool, fireplace, barbecue grills, screening area, and pergola. A private parking garage with 124 parking spots will be located underground for residents.
The building will also feature a fitness center and a penthouse clubroom on the 11th floor with wide city and river views. The clubroom will boast a demonstration kitchen, game room, coworking space, indoor fireplace, and outdoor terrace. The community will include studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with high-end finish details throughout.
The name Crosby Hill pays tribute to the Crosby and Hill department store that prominently served Wilmington for nearly a century from 1878 to 1960 at 605 Market St. Described by the Every Evening newspaper in 1888 as “an indication of the substantial development of the retail trade in Wilmington…[and] an ornament to the lead business center of the city,” BPG believes this new development will be just as influential for the City as the first Crosby and Hill building.
While the majority of development in recent years has been concentrated to Market Street, Crosby Hill marks a significant move westward to widen the core of the central business district in downtown Wilmington. Prior to demolition, the site was originally a standard parking lot. Crosby Hill will relocate the parking underground and bring an estimated 350 people to Shipley Street, which impacts the broader strategy to build critical mass and broaden the Downtown.
To date, BPG has brought over 2,100 units to the residential market in Wilmington, all of which largely remain occupied by renters.
“I’ve often said that if a city doesn’t continue to grow, it will die,” Purzycki said at the Wednesday ceremony. “And rest assured, Wilmington is indeed growing, attracting new businesses and – equally important – new residents every day. Crosby Hill is just the latest example of quality housing options, which have expanded significantly in recent years, here in the thriving heart of our great city. This is thanks in no small part to our partners at BPG, whose unprecedented investment continues to show their deep affection and support for Wilmington.”
As more people look to move to Wilmington, BPG recognizes the need to not only deliver apartments but also the lifestyle options necessary to attract and retain young professionals. Just before the holidays, it opened the doors to Wilma’s Restaurant and Duckpin Bowling Alley at 900 N. Market St. and announced its plans to bring a stand-up shuffleboard club Shuffle Libre to The Residences at Mid-town Parks. Other recent investments include Bardea Steak, an expansion on the successful Bardea brand, and a rooftop bar coming to the boutique hotel at 519 Market St.
“The amount of construction going on here almost totals $100 million when you include the adjacent boutique hotel just behind us. When you come back in a year and everything is complete at the apartment community, the hotel, and Bardea Steak, it really will be a transformational area of Downtown Wilmington,” Rob Buccini said. “Thank you to our incredible partners without whom this topping out would not be possible, especially Bank OZK, Niles Bolton Associates, the City of Wilmington, BPGS Construction, and ResideBPG.”
