Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Bensalem, Pennsylvania

Vacant Land & Development Real Estate in Bensalem, Pennsylvania

Bensalem Township is one of the most strategically positioned municipalities in Bucks County. Located along the Delaware River and anchored by I-95, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276), U.S. Route 1, Street Road (Route 132), and the Cornwells Heights SEPTA/Amtrak station, Bensalem sits at the crossroads of regional commerce between Philadelphia, New Jersey, and the broader Northeast corridor.

As a land and development real estate specialist, I work with property owners, investors, and developers to identify vacant land, reposition transitional sites, and structure development projects throughout Bensalem. This is a mature but opportunity-rich market where value is created through redevelopment, adaptive reuse, industrial repositioning, and strategically located infill sites.

Bensalem offers opportunity across residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and riverfront redevelopment land.

Residential Land & Development

Bensalem is largely built out, which means most residential opportunities involve:

Infill lots

Subdivision of larger residential parcels

Redevelopment of obsolete commercial sites

Townhome and multifamily repositioning

Adaptive reuse of aging properties

Key residential areas include:

  • Andalusia (riverfront estates)
  • Cornwells Heights
  • Belmont Hills
  • Nottingham Village
  • Eddington Areas near Neshaminy Creek

Residential Pricing Overview

Because of limited raw land, residential sites are typically valued based on yield potential:

  • Individual infill lots: $100,000 – $250,000+ per lot
  • Subdivision-ready tracts: priced based on density allowances
  • Multifamily redevelopment parcels: feasibility-driven pricing

Demand drivers include:

  • Proximity to Philadelphia (20–25 minutes)
  • Commuter rail access (Cornwells Heights)
  • Strong access to highways
  • Relative affordability compared to Lower Bucks waterfront towns

Townhome and multifamily development remains the most realistic form of new housing supply due to land constraints.

Commercial Development Opportunities

Bensalem’s commercial strength is corridor-driven. Primary corridors include:

  • Street Road (Route 132)
  • U.S. Route 1
  • Bristol Pike (Route 13)
  • I-95 interchanges
  • Knights Road
  • Hulmeville Road

Retail and commercial uses cluster near:

  • Parx Casino and Racetrack
  • Neshaminy Mall (undergoing repositioning)
  • I-95 / Street Road interchange
  • Route 1 retail spine

Commercial land pricing typically ranges:

  • Secondary corridors: $300,000 – $600,000 per acre
  • Prime interchange or major retail visibility: $600,000 – $1,200,000+ per acre

Opportunities include:

  • Pad site development
  • Restaurant sites
  • Hospitality
  • Medical office
  • Mixed-use redevelopment
  • Retail center repositioning

The ongoing repositioning of older shopping centers presents meaningful redevelopment potential.

Industrial & Logistics Development

Bensalem is one of the strongest industrial submarkets in lower Bucks County due to:

  • I-95 access
  • PA Turnpike connectivity
  • Route 1 access
  • Proximity to New Jersey bridges
  • Access to Philadelphia’s labor pool
  • Industrial and flex space exists throughout:
  • Bristol Pike corridor
  • I-95 interchanges
  • Areas near the Delaware River
  • Established business parks

Industrial land pricing typically ranges: $400,000 – $900,000 per acre, depending on utilities and highway access

Uses include:

  • Last-mile distribution
  • Contractor yards
  • Flex industrial
  • Warehouse and logistics
  • Food distribution
  • Light manufacturing

Demand remains strong for infill warehouse sites serving Philadelphia and South Jersey markets.

Riverfront & Waterfront Development

Bensalem’s Delaware River frontage presents unique redevelopment opportunities.

Riverfront areas include:

  • Andalusia
  • Portions along State Road
  • Areas near Neshaminy Creek

Waterfront development requires careful navigation of:

  • Floodplain regulations
  • Environmental permitting
  • DEP approvals
  • Riparian rights
  • FEMA elevation standards

However, properly entitled waterfront residential and mixed-use projects command premium value.

Mixed-Use & Transitional Redevelopment

Because Bensalem is mature and largely developed, the strongest opportunities often involve repositioning:

  • Aging retail centers
  • Underutilized office buildings
  • Obsolete industrial buildings
  • Vacant institutional properties
  • Former hospitality properties

Township leadership has shown willingness to consider:

  • Mixed-use redevelopment
  • Increased residential density in appropriate corridors
  • Redevelopment of older commercial properties
  • Adaptive reuse projects

Successful redevelopment requires alignment with township planning priorities and strong community engagement.

Transit-Oriented Development

The Cornwells Heights station — serving both SEPTA Regional Rail and Amtrak — is a significant asset.

Transit-adjacent opportunities include:

  • Higher-density residential
  • Mixed-use projects
  • Multifamily development
  • Commuter-oriented housing

Transit proximity can materially impact density allowances and project feasibility.

Recreational & Open Space Assets

Bensalem includes:

  • Neshaminy State Park
  • Delaware River access
  • Poquessing Creek
  • Numerous township parks
  • Marina and boating access

These assets support residential demand and provide opportunities for recreation-oriented development.

Market Drivers

Bensalem’s real estate market is driven by:

  • Interstate and regional highway access
  • Proximity to Philadelphia
  • Cross-river access to New Jersey
  • Industrial demand
  • Gaming and hospitality (Parx Casino)
  • Established suburban neighborhoods
  • Commuter rail connectivity

Unlike outer suburban greenfield markets, Bensalem is an infill and redevelopment market where strategic positioning matters.

Pricing Snapshot (General Ranges)

  • Residential Infill Lots: $100,000 – $250,000+
  • Multifamily Redevelopment Sites: Feasibility-based
  • Commercial Land: $300,000 – $1,200,000+ per acre 
  • Industrial Land: $400,000 – $900,000 per acre
  • Waterfront Parcels: Premium pricing, highly site-specific

Values vary based on zoning, utilities, frontage, and environmental constraints.

Development Challenges

Bensalem presents several development considerations:

  • Floodplain regulations near river and creeks
  • Traffic impact requirements along major corridors
  • Stormwater management standards
  • Environmental due diligence
  • Community engagement expectations
  • Infrastructure capacity analysis

These factors require careful underwriting before acquisition.

Why Work With a Land & Development Specialist in Bensalem

Bensalem is not a speculative land market — it is a strategic redevelopment and infill market. Here, value is driven by:

  • Highway visibility
  • Zoning allowances
  • Density potential
  • Utility capacity
  • Traffic access
  • Environmental positioning
  • Redevelopment feasibility

A traditional residential agent focuses on comparable sales. I focus on:

  • Highest and best use analysis
  • Entitlement strategy
  • Yield modeling
  • Infrastructure feasibility
  • Developer targeting
  • Risk mitigation

For sellers, I market land and transitional properties based on development potential — not simply existing improvements. For buyers and developers, I structure acquisitions around zoning realities and long-term demand drivers.

Bensalem’s combination of interstate access, riverfront positioning, commuter rail, and established residential base makes it one of Bucks County’s most strategically located development markets.

With the right strategy, redevelopment and infill projects here can generate meaningful long-term value.