TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Freddy Hill Farms, the iconic mini-golf and soft-serve ice cream destination in the Philadelphia suburbs for generations, has been sold to developers for $26 million, officials have confirmed.
Pinnacle Realty Development and Toll Brothers plan to build 210 homes on the property, the Philadelphia Business Journal first reported.
The local amusement center, located on 1440 Sumneytown Pike, has been in operation for 53 years.
The sale this week and announcement of plans brings to an end years of speculation about the future of the property. Numerous petitions and organized protest from local residents fought to prevent realtors from building this sort of development in the area, citing impacts to traffic, the environment, and most of all, the fabric of the community.
The proposal for 210 homes is actually a scaled back version of what Pinnacle and Toll Brothers originally wanted to do, which was 338 homes.
The Business Journal says that homes will include both small lots and large lots, and prices will start around $800,000 for the smaller homes. Larger lot homes will start around $1.5 million.
Freddy Hill opened in 1972 as a dairy store with milk and ice cream. It expanded to include all of its famous amenities over the years, with the fun center opening in 1991.
It closed last year after owners announced their retirement. Anxieties have persisted for years amongst supporters of the farm, its activities, and its heritage that it would be overrun by wealthy land developers.
"It is a bittersweet reality that all good things must come to an end," the Seipt family said last year, when they announced their retirement. "Our family is deeply grateful for your support over the last 53 years, and for the opportunity to serve our community and our customers. We have enjoyed sharing this fun place with our family and friends, and we hope that you have fond memories as well. Please join us for your favorite ice cream treats and fun center activities this coming season."
Construction on the new homes will begin at some point in 2028.
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