Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

Upper Darby Township is one of the most strategically located and densely populated communities in Delaware County, directly bordering West Philadelphia along Market Street and the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line.

With immediate access to Center City Philadelphia, strong public transit infrastructure, established neighborhoods, and active redevelopment corridors, Upper Darby presents meaningful opportunities for residential infill, mixed-use redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and small-scale commercial development.

As a land and development real estate specialist, I work with property owners, investors, and developers to identify, evaluate, and reposition vacant land and transitional properties in Upper Darby. While this is a built-out community with limited raw land, it offers significant redevelopment upside and well-located infill opportunities.

Below is how I approach land and development real estate in Upper Darby.

Residential Land & Infill Development

Upper Darby is primarily a residential township, with traditional rowhomes, twins, detached homes, and small apartment buildings throughout neighborhoods such as:

  • Drexel Hill
  • Highland Park
  • Bywood
  • Stonehurst
  • Beverly Hills
  • Aronimink
  • Kirklyn

Most land opportunities are:

  • Vacant residential lots
  • Tear-down properties
  • Corner parcels suitable for higher density
  • Assemblages along transit corridors

Zoning districts such as R-1, R-2, R-3, and multifamily districts allow for varying residential densities.

There is increasing interest in:

  • Duplex conversions
  • Triplex and quadplex development
  • Small apartment buildings near transit
  • Townhome infill on underutilized parcels

Land pricing is highly location-specific.

Typical infill lots may range from: $50,000 to $175,000 per lot, depending on neighborhood, size, and zoning.

Upper Darby benefits from proximity to:

  • University City
  • Center City Philadelphia
  • Major hospital systems
  • Employment hubs along the Main Line

Demand is strongest near public transportation, especially along the Market-Frankford Line and trolley routes.

Commercial & Mixed-Use Development

Upper Darby’s commercial activity is concentrated along:

  • 69th Street
  • Market Street
  • West Chester Pike
  • Township Line Road
  • Garrett Road

The 69th Street corridor, anchored by the 69th Street Transportation Center, remains one of the most significant transit hubs in the region. This creates strong long-term potential for:

  • Transit-oriented development (TOD)
  • Mixed-use residential over retail
  • Adaptive reuse of older commercial structures
  • Redevelopment of underutilized retail properties

Commercial zoning districts allow for retail, office, service businesses, and mixed-use in certain areas. Commercial land values typically range: $150,000 to $500,000+ per acre, depending on traffic counts and transit adjacency.

There is particular opportunity in repositioning obsolete retail and underperforming commercial properties into higher-density mixed-use developments. 

Industrial & Flex Space

Upper Darby is not a traditional heavy industrial market, but limited light industrial and flex space exists in small pockets of the township.

Most industrial and warehouse demand in this submarket spills into nearby areas of:

  • East Lansdowne
  • Yeadon
  • Southwest Philadelphia
  • Lower Merion

For investors, small warehouse and contractor yard properties remain attractive due to proximity to Philadelphia and I-76.

Transitional & Redevelopment Opportunities

Upper Darby is a classic transitional redevelopment market. It is largely built-out, but many properties are underutilized or in need of reinvestment.

Key redevelopment themes include:

  • Adaptive reuse of institutional buildings
  • Conversion of large single-family homes into multifamily units
  • Repositioning of aging shopping centers
  • Mixed-use redevelopment near transit nodes

Upper Darby Township has updated zoning provisions in recent years to allow greater flexibility in certain commercial and transit-adjacent areas. The township has also supported redevelopment initiatives in partnership with Delaware County and regional planning agencies.

Because of strong rental demand, many redevelopment projects focus on:

  • Workforce housing
  • Small multifamily buildings
  • Mixed-use residential over retail

Recreational & Open Space Land

Upper Darby includes numerous parks and open space areas, including:

  • Naylors Run Park
  • Kent Park
  • Drexel Park
  • Several neighborhood green spaces

While large recreational land parcels are limited, smaller redevelopment sites near parks often command premium residential interest. Proximity to the Darby Creek Trail and regional park systems enhances long-term residential value.

Agricultural Land

Upper Darby is fully urbanized and does not contain traditional agricultural land. However, community gardens and small-scale urban agriculture initiatives exist in certain neighborhoods.

Growth & Market Drivers

Upper Darby’s growth is driven by:

  • Affordability relative to Philadelphia
  • Strong transit connectivity
  • Immigrant and multi-generational household growth
  • Rental demand from university and healthcare employees
  • Proximity to employment centers

Upper Darby is one of the most diverse communities in Pennsylvania, and population stability has been supported by new immigrant households establishing roots in the township. Unlike suburban greenfield markets, Upper Darby is a reinvestment and repositioning market.

Short-Term Rental Considerations

Short-term rentals are regulated by township ordinance. Investors must review:

  • Licensing requirements
  • Zoning restrictions
  • Owner-occupancy provisions (if applicable)
  • Safety and inspection compliance

Short-term rental viability is strongest near:

  • 69th Street Transportation Center
  • Transit corridors
  • Areas near Philadelphia border

Pricing Overview

Because Upper Darby is largely built-out, land pricing is based more on redevelopment yield than raw acreage.

Typical pricing ranges:

  • Residential infill lot: $50,000 – $175,000
  • Multifamily redevelopment parcel: highly site-specific based on unit potential
  • Commercial corner parcel: $150,000 – $500,000+ per acre equivalent
  • Mixed-use transit-adjacent sites: premium pricing depending on density allowances

Why Work With a Land & Development Specialist in Upper Darby

Upper Darby is not a straightforward market. It requires:

  • Zoning interpretation
  • Density feasibility modeling
  • Transit-oriented development analysis
  • Rental rate projections
  • Entitlement navigation
  • Redevelopment underwriting

A traditional residential agent may focus only on comparable sales. A land and development specialist evaluates:

  • Highest and best use
  • Unit yield
  • Construction feasibility
  • Parking requirements
  • Traffic impact
  • Stormwater compliance 

For sellers, I position properties not just as “lots” but as development opportunities — marketed directly to builders and investors. For buyers, I help mitigate entitlement risk and maximize development potential.

Upper Darby offers real opportunity for those who understand density, transit, and redevelopment strategy. With the right planning and execution, land in Upper Darby can generate strong long-term value.