See inside top Wilmington homes for sale including one estate priced at over $3 million

Historic mansions updated with modern conveniences and newer suburban retreats are among the most expensive homes for sale in the Wilmington area.

What attracts prospective buyers to the largest city in the First State?

A major lure is the opportunity for employment with some of the largest businesses in the world. More than half of all Fortune 500 companies call Delaware their corporate home, some with offices in or near the city.

The area also features a variety of amenities residents and visitors enjoy.

“Historically, Wilmington’s draw has been its access by rail and by road to destinations like Philadelphia, Delaware beaches, Baltimore, and even D.C. and New York City. However, Wilmington is also a worthwhile destination in its own right,” said lifelong Delaware resident Stephen Mottola, Realtor with the Mottola Group at Compass.

The city’s rich history is linked with families like the du Ponts, and many former estates have been opened to the public.

“Land and architecture which once signified the wealth and status of local families has been carefully preserved and converted into parks, museums and cultural landmarks,” Mottola said.

More recently, commercial investors and government leaders have led a revitalization of downtown areas and the Riverfront, with new residential buildings, restaurants and businesses.

Many prospective buyers initially look at the area because of reasonable property taxes and no sales tax and find a convenient location with easy commutes and a strong sense of community in many neighborhoods with festivals, parades and events.

Minor league baseball with the Blue Rocks and G League basketball with the Blue Coats are among popular family pastimes, while parks and trails provide places for recreation.

So what are some of the top properties with a Wilmington address available for prospective buyers? Here are the five most expensive homes listed for sale – not still under construction – without pending or contingent offers on realtor.com as of June 26:

$1,150,000 – 1226 Coulee Way

2,890 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, approximately 0.25-acre lot, listed by Cheryl Macey, Northrop Realty.

This property features:

  • Newly built contemporary home, meticulously crafted with luxurious details, in the north Wilmington community of Columbia Place, which caters to active adults

  • Elegant combination of stone and Hardiplank exterior, complemented by well-planned landscaping and copper downspouts and chimney flashing

  • Open-concept floor plan with luxury vinyl plank flooring

  • Foyer and private study

  • Gourmet kitchen with spacious island quartz countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances including a double wall oven and gas cooktop, sleek white cabinetry and picket-inspired backsplash

  • Dining area

  • Living room with floor-to-ceiling stacked stone gas fireplace with raised hearth, vaulted ceiling, and statement piece ceiling fan

  • Spacious composite deck to view the tapestry of seasonal colors

  • Owner's suite with tray ceiling, custom-built window seat, two walk-in closets, en-suite bath with double-sink vanity, makeup area, water closet, glass-enclosed tile-surround shower with a seat and niche shower products

  • Powder room and a laundry room with storage and utility sink

  • Loft with a Juliet balcony overlooking the living room

  • Unfinished lower level

  • Two-car garage

  • 55+ community takes care of lawn maintenance, irrigation and snow clearance

  • Security with around-the-clock gated access

  • Community clubhouse with fitness center

$1,274,000 – 2100 N. Grant Ave.

6,000 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 7,405 square foot lot, listed by Stephen Mervine, RE/MAX Associates, Hockessin.

This property features:

  • Private corner lot in The Highlands within walking distance to playgrounds, Rockford Park, the Brandywine, Delaware Art Museum and shopping and dining in Trolley Square

  • Covered front porch perfect for watching sunsets

  • Large entry foyer with random-width refinished hardwood floors

  • Family room, great for entertaining, with vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights, ceiling fans and a stone fireplace flanked by built-ins

  • Sunroom/office space

  • Living room with wood-burning fireplace, crown molding, built-in cabinets and extensive trim work

  • Updated kitchen with a unique office space with built-in cabinets and desk

  • Formal dining room next to kitchen

  • First-floor laundry/mudroom with rear entrance to the garage, yard and spacious private deck

  • Main bedroom upstairs with large vanity, Jacuzzi tub, towel warmer, and walk-in shower with four shower heads and tile bench

  • Updated baths

  • Four-zone heating and air conditioning system

  • Two-car garage with loft storage

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$1,345,000 – 153 Saint Moritz Drive

4,518 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 2.3-acre lot, listed by R.T. Christopher Jr., Long & Foster Greenville.

This property includes:

  • Meticulously planned, mature landscaping, surrounded by forest and streams on two sides for beautiful views and privacy in L’Hermitage

  • Modern home but defined by classic architectural elements

  • Grand foyer with curved staircase

  • Open floor plan with ceilings over nine feet to the dining room

  • Newly refinished hardwood floors and freshly painted neutral walls

  • Living room and kitchen connect to a sitting room with brick floors

  • Renovated chef’s kitchen with large island, white Fabuwood cabinetry, natural stone backsplash, built-in microwave and wall oven, Jenn Air refrigerator and a Wolf six-burner range

  • Kitchen opens to breakfast room and family room surrounded by windows with views to the deck and backyard

  • First-floor primary suite with large master bathroom near additional room that can be a dressing room, office or extra bedroom

  • Second floor with three more large bedrooms, a bonus room and two brand new full bathrooms

  • Finished lower level with full bathroom and sauna, workout room, home theater and storage

  • In-ground pool with travertine marble surround

$1,699,000 – 1003 Berkeley Road

4,625 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms and 2 half-baths, 0.58-acre lot, listed by Shalini Sawhney, Burns & Ellis Realtors.

This home features:

  • Westover Hills location with tree-lined streets and estate homes

  • Large corner lot with beautiful landscaping

  • Numerous renovations and upgrades including two-story great room with wall of windows for an abundance of natural light

  • Gourmet kitchen with sleek countertops, stainless steel appliances, island and plenty of cabinet space

  • Open-concept layout connecting the kitchen and great room, perfect for entertaining

  • Formal living room

  • Six spacious bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths

  • Unfinished basement

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$3,399,000 – 5826 Kennett Pike

4,850 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms and 2 half-baths, 3.21 acres, listed by Stephen Mottola and Elizabeth Moro, The Mottolo Group, Compass.

The property features:

  • Historic stone house in the Brandywine area, dating back to the 1700s, part of a country estate on over three acres with mature landscaping including trees planted by Evelena du Pont

  • Reported visits by historic figures including George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette during the Revolutionary War, and, nearly two centuries later, President Lyndon Johnson, attending a party

  • Grand staircase flanked by two sitting rooms, each with a fireplace

  • Seven working fireplaces, handsome paneling with built-ins including china cupboards, hardwood floors and plaster walls which have been beautifully restored

  • Brightly lit kitchen with updated stainless steel appliances, nearby butler’s pantry, room for a full table, and a French door that accesses the terrace for morning breakfast

  • Elegant dining room with a fireplace and a secret door that once led to the Underground Railroad hideaway below

  • Sunroom/great room with a fireplace that was once in the landmark Shipley House (the other two are at Winterthur)

  • Main suite on second floor with built-in closets, storage, laundry room

  • Guest suite perfect for an au pair with access to the lower level via the second stairway

  • Two more bedrooms on the second floor, each with a fireplace and bath

  • Two bedrooms on third floor, along with a full bath, storage and access to the attic, which could be transformed into additional living space

  • Billiard room

  • Lower level with a wine cellar reportedly part of the Underground Railroad, with a door over 300 years old

  • Powder room and workroom on lower level with Bilco door for easy access

  • Swimming pool with entertainment area framed with wisteria climbing across a 300-year old foundation

  • Carriage house with space for two cars and work equipment and an upstairs that could be converted to additional living space

  • Heated and fenced dog house

  • Stone wall with electric gates for privacy and security

Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: See inside top Wilmington homes for sale, one over $3 million