The Arbours at Eagle Pointe

The Arbours at Eagle Pointe is a 398-home active adult community tucked into the Somerton section of Northeast Philadelphia, offering an unusual combination of urban-edge convenience and a gated, amenity-rich 55+ lifestyle. Developed by Westrum Development Company on the 55-acre site of the former Byberry State Hospital, construction began in 2008 and the community reached full build-out in 2020. The development is notable for its mix of housing types — single-family homes, carriage homes, villas, and condominiums — all built with brick and beaded siding, nine-foot ceilings, 42-inch cabinets, energy-efficient appliances, and oversized master bath mirrors. Attached homes range from 2,181 to 2,362 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, and a one-car garage, with an optional loft and den. Single-family homes offer two bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half baths, one- to two-car garages, and granite kitchen countertops. Overall home sizes across the community range from roughly 1,433 to 4,167 square feet. At the heart of the community sits a 5,000+ square-foot clubhouse that functions as the social hub. Inside, residents find a great room, meeting rooms, library, card room, billiards room, fitness center with locker rooms, catering kitchen, and a pub where neighbors gather for a drink. Outdoor amenities include a 50' x 20' pool, separate hot tub/spa, patio with outdoor grills, bocce ball courts, and shuffleboard courts. The 55-acre site also incorporates parks, natural space, and small lakes, giving the community a softer, more suburban feel despite its city location. Social life revolves around clubs and standing events — billiards, cards, football parties, community potlucks, Koffee Klatches, group trips (residents mention organized trips to NYC), and casual gatherings around the pub and pool. The community operates under the federal 80/20 housing-for-older-persons rule, meaning at least 80% of units must have at least one resident 55 or older; children under 19 cannot live in the community. A monthly HOA fee covers lawn care, landscaping, snow removal, and exterior maintenance, which is a significant draw for residents trading a house with a yard for a lock-and-leave lifestyle. Location is what truly differentiates The Arbours. It sits just off Roosevelt Boulevard south of the Bucks County line, at the far-northeast edge of Philadelphia — close enough to the city to reach Center City in about 25-30 minutes, but tucked into a quieter residential pocket. Everyday essentials (Target, ShopRite, Walmart, Best Buy, restaurants) are within minutes. Jefferson Torresdale Hospital is less than four miles away, and SEPTA public transit is accessible right outside the community's gates — a rarity for a 55+ community. Interstates 276 (PA Turnpike) and 95 are both close for regional travel, and Philadelphia International Airport is about 30 miles south.