Old Northeast Neighborhood in St. Pete

September 26, 2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

Old Northeast sign for neighborhood in St. Petersburg, FL

Old Northeast neighborhood in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

If a centrally located, historically significant and architecturally diverse neighborhood of active, involved residents is what you’re looking for smack dab in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, you need to look no further than Old Northeast. The Old NE, as some call it, has heart, soul, a rich tradition and a location that has never and never will be duplicated.

Bounded on the north by 30^th Avenue North, on the west by 4^th Street North, on the south by 5^th Avenue North/Northeast and on the entire east side by North Shore Park and the entrance to Tampa Bay, Old NE is simply one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Currently home to approximately nine thousand residents, Old NE is the result of visionary developer C. Perry Snell, for whom nearby Snell Isle is named. Old NE has the distinction of being the first established neighborhood in the City of St. Petersburg.

History of Old Northeast

Home construction began in 1911 and hit “build-out” by the late 50’s. Building slowed dramatically in the late 1920’s and 1930’s due to the Great Depression, and the area continued to experience tough times until the 80’s when buyers were once again lured by its central downtown location and rich architectural heritage. Today, Old NE is thriving and real estate values are on the rise.

Old Northeast Today

The City of St. Petersburg named the Grenada Terrace subdivision a Local Historic District in 1988 to help preserve it’s unique architecture. Old Northeast was named to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 2003. Preservation efforts in the 1990’s led to the restoration and reopening of the Vinoy Hotel and other local points of interests led to the designation.

Some call Old NE “influential,” due to the who’s who of once and current residents. Others simply call it “charming,” due to its brick streets, lush, mature vegetation and an eclectic mixture of homes ranging from Mediterranean Revival to bungalow-style. You’ll find nothing quite like Old NE anywhere else in the entire Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2011. It has since been updated and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

Brightwaters Boulevard the Gem of Snell Isle

August 22, 2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

Aerial view of Snell Island and Brightwaters Boulevard, the gem of Snell Isle in St. Petersburg, FL.

Snell Isle is widely regarded as one of St. Petersburg-Tampa’s most desirable waterfront neighborhoods. But for those seeking the most prestigious addresses on Snell Isle, Brightwaters Boulevard is the street on which to buy.

Elegance and grace are the norm in this enclave of custom-built estate homes. Today, many belong to celebrities, sports legends, and captains of Florida industry. Despite its somewhat high profile, the Brightwaters neighborhood remains a balanced mix of elegant, casual, and private.

Most homes had their beginnings in the 1950s, but some still date back to the mid-1920s when C. Perry Snell’s dream of creating a community for St. Petersburg-Tampa’s most elite residents first took hold. Extravagant renovations over the years have helped modernize many homes while retaining the unique character that makes Brightwaters the crème de la crème of Tampa Bay area addresses.

Brightwaters Boulevard Wraps Around Snell Isle Harbor in St. Pete

Snell Isle’s boundaries start at St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle Bridge, which extends easterly along the shoreline to the Shore Acres Bridge, then along the shorelines of Eden Isle and Snell Isle Estates, 34^th Avenue and Locust Street to Coffee Pot Bayou. Brightwaters Boulevard is located in the southeastern, most Tampa Bay-facing section of Snell Isle and wraps around Snell Isle Harbor. No shortage of deep-water access here.

Brightwater Boulevard Highlights

Nearby Bay and Gulf beaches are some of the finest found in all of Florida. A five-minute drive takes one to downtown St. Petersburg, which in recent years has transformed itself into a lively and vibrant center for the visual and performing arts, world-class shopping, lush family-friendly parks, professional sporting events and a plethora of dining opportunities. Tampa’s international airport is an easy 30-minute drive across the bay.

The Snell Isle Property Owner’s Association is a hands-on nonprofit organization that includes those residing on Brightwaters Boulevard. The Association carries on C. Perry Snell’s vision, and protects the heritage of the area by guiding improvements and maintaining its unique way of life. The Association is responsible for restoring Snell Isle Park Plaza, complete with meandering walkways, original European statuary and artwork Snell brought back from Europe at a cost of over $1 million in 1920s dollars.

The Community of Bridgetwater Boulevard

Despite the area’s changes over the years, Snell Isle and Brightwaters Boulevard continue to offer buyers a wide spectrum of styles, price ranges and strong long-term real estate value.

Brightwaters is located within the Pinellas County School District with the closest school being St. Raphael Catholic School. It is also home to two churches. The site of today’s St. Petersburg Women’s Club was donated by Snell in 1928, and continues to be an active community organization dedicated to preserving the character of the area. The Snell Isle Marina is a very active center for boaters, and a popular destination for west coast Florida cruisers.

If your desire is to live in St. Petersburg’s finest waterfront neighborhood, be sure to take a long look at Snell Isle’s Brightwaters Boulevard. Then give us a call at 727-642-9107 to see what is available. We are the residential real estate leader in the Pinellas County area.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2013. It has since been edited to reflect updated information and for cohesiveness.

Historic Hyde Park Tampa Real Estate

June 7, 2017 By Chris

Hyde Park is renown as Tampa’s sophisticated, upscale historic neighborhood that refuses to remain quietly in the past.

Hyde Park’s Beginning

In the midst of Tampa’s harrowing 1886 yellow fever epidemic, which put a strangle hold on every facet of the city’s economy, railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant announced his vision for the development of farmland and citrus groves on the west side of the Hillsborough River adjacent to what is now the city’s center. At the time, the only access to the area destined to become Tampa’s Hyde Park was by ferry.

Plant possessed a strong reputation for results and the City of Tampa recognized an opportunity that might not knock twice. Very quickly, the city approved the construction of a bridge across the river at Lafayette Street (now Kennedy Boulevard), which is where Plant proposed to build a grand resort, the Tampa Bay Hotel. Suddenly, the land west of the river was accessible, and development, including the construction of a streetcar line, quickly followed.

By 1910, the groves had all been subdivided. During the 15-year period between 1913 and 1928, the area bustled with development. Simple two-story, wood frame homes soon gave way to

photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

impressive revival-style (Queen Anne, Colonial, Tudor, Classical and even French and Mediterranean) residences that began to set the architectural styles of what would become today’s Hyde Park.

Home building began to slow when Florida’s real estate boom hit the skids in 1924. By the time the stock market crashed in 1929, building in Hyde Park was at a standstill.

Expanding Hyde Park

After the Depression, construction picked up again and followed the trend for smaller homes. However, World War II, and building that shifted toward the north and west created a stop-start construction environment in Hyde Park that lasted into the 1970s and 1980s when historic preservation gained popularity, which helped restart development again.

It is this stop-start development history, during which architectural styles came in and out of favor, that gives Hyde Park the diversity we see today, and what makes it one of the most desirable neighborhoods throughout the St. Petersburg – Tampa area.

Today, Hyde Park is bounded by Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Boulevard to the north, Bayshore Boulevard to the east and south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Two of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares, Swann and Rome Avenues, had streetcars operating on them, which is why they are extra wide still today. And Bayshore Boulevard, at 4.5 miles, is claimed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world.

Hyde Park Village – The Heart Of Tampa’s High End Shopping And Dining

On the edge of the Hyde Park neighborhood is Hyde Park Village, a seven-block collection of national, regional and local retailers, cinemas, bakeries and some of the finest restaurants in all of the Tampa Bay area. It’s one of the most popular entertainment destinations along the West Coast of Florida.

Near the end of October, Hyde Park Village stages their annual Art Fair, which attracts thousands of visitors during a two-day mainly outdoor extravaganza combining all that makes Hyde Park so special. And year-round on the first Sunday of each month, The Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village presents 50-70 vendors offering up the best in retail, food and entertainment.

Overseeing the continual development and redevelopment of Hyde Park is the all-volunteer Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association (HHPNA), a non-profit association charged with preserving the historical integrity and safety of the neighborhood.

If living in a highly diverse, historic neighborhood closely adjacent to downtown Tampa, and complete with one of the finest shopping and dining menus in all of Florida appeals to you, Hyde Park needs to be on the top of your list of communities to explore.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2014. It has since been edited to reflect updated information.

Discover Snell Isle

April 18, 2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

Little did C. Perry Snell know when he began developing his community in 1925 on a muddy mangrove swamp, Snell Isle would become a much sought after place to live in the Tampa Bay metro area. His designs included Italian and Spanish architectural styles and peaceful environments. Today, a memorial stands in Snell Isle Park honoring his foresight.

Snell Isle’s boundaries start at the Snell Isle Bridge, which extends easterly along the shoreline to the Shore Acres Bridge, then along the shorelines of Eden Isle and Snell Isle Estates, 34^th Avenue and Locust Street to Coffee Pot Bayou.

Own a Piece of History

Many of today’s homes date back to the 1920’s, some remodeled over the years, others exactly as they were originally constructed. In recent years, original houses, many directly on the waterfront, have been replaced by large, luxury homes priced in the millions. Despite the changes over the years, Snell Isles continues to offer buyers a wide spectrum of styles and price
ranges, all within a five-minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg, offering distinctive shopping, community parks, and a vibrant arts & entertainment scene. Over eighty (80) percent of the homes in the community have waterfront views or access.

Discover Snell Isle

Today In Snell Isle

The Snell Isle Property Owners Association is a hands-on nonprofit corporation that carries on Snell’s vision and protects the heritage of the area by guiding improvements and maintaining its unique way of life. The Association is responsible for recently restoring Snell Isle Park Plaza, complete with meandering walkways, original European statuary, and artwork Snell brought back from Europe at a cost of over $1 million (in 1920’s dollars!).

Snell Isle is home to two churches, two schools, and a thriving shopping center on Snell Isle Boulevard. The site of today’s St. Petersburg Women’s Club was donated by Snell in 1928 and continues to be an active community organization dedicated to preserving the character of the area. The Snell Isle Marina is a very active center for boaters and a popular destination for west coast Florida cruisers.

In short, Snell Isle, especially the Brightwaters Blvd. area, maintains its reputation as one of Pinellas County’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2011. It has since been updated and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

Treasure Island Old Florida Beach Town

July 6, 2016 By Chris Leave a Comment

One of our favorite neighborhoods is Treasure Island, it’s a mixture of “old Florida” and contemporary living. It boasts areas steeped in history, miles of white sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches, and access to all of the amenities that make this area part of Florida’s premier west coast.

Sandwiched between Madeira Beach to the north and St. Petersburg Beach to the south, Treasure Island is the epitome of a small Florida beach town that attracts visitors from both the U.S. and abroad. In addition to beaches, Treasure Island has great restaurants and bars, unique shops, and water sports & fishing. In addition to it’s tourist attractions, it’s also a very desirable town in which to live, retire or lay down roots and raise a family.

Original residents date back to around 300 A.D., when the Timucan Indians called what is now Treasure Island their home. In the 1600s, Europeans started arriving, established a fishing industry and began harvesting turtles. Their influence is still evident. In 1848, what was called the “Great Gale” created John’s Pass on Treasure Island’s north end, creating two smaller islands, the Isle of Palms and Capri Isle, both interesting and attractive beach communities.

Treasure Island’s White Sandy Beaches

At the beginning of the 20^th Century, the St. Petersburg-Tampa area experienced a real estate boom, and new residents and visitors were quickly drawn to our area’s fabulous Gulf beaches. (Eventually, included among them was the legendary Babe Ruth who maintained a beachfront home.) No bridges to Treasure Island existed at the time, so ferry service shuttled visitors back and forth to the mainland until the first bridge was completed in 1939. Following World War II, homes and hotels began springing up, and the City of Treasure Island was incorporated in 1955.

As to the name “Treasure Island,” it was a 1915-marketing ploy created by early property owners seeking to boost sales by burying and then “discovering” a few wooden chests supposedly filled with treasure. It worked.

Sure, the days of buying an acre of land for $1.25, as you could in the early 1900s, are long gone, but home prices remain attractive and value continues to be strong. Many homes dating back to the 1950s have been renovated over the years and blend well with newer construction. If you’re looking for a Florida beach town that combines history, charm, all the necessary conveniences and proximity to best of the St. Petersburg-Tampa area, consider Treasure Island where you can still discover a laid back Florida lifestyle.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published July 2012. It has since been edited for updated information and cohesiveness.

Hyde Park Tampa’s Upscale Neighborhood

February 23, 2016 By Chris Leave a Comment

Where would you expect to find the world’s longest sidewalk? Monte Carlo? Paris? London perhaps? You might be surprised to find that it’s actually right here in the Tampa Bay area. Bayshore Boulevard holds the record. It is Tampa’s main waterfront thoroughfare running from the Hillsborough River just west of downtown and four and a half miles south to the east side of MacDill Air Force Base.

Bayshore Boulevard is a gently meandering urban greenway offering views of Tampa’s skyline, the waters of Tampa Bay, and also forms the eastern and southern boundaries of Hyde Park. Hyde Park is one of Tampa Bay’s most historic and much sought-after neighborhoods. This upscale residential neighborhood is home to Hyde Park Village, one of Florida’s most fashionable shopping, dining and nightlife destinations.

Hyde Park Neighborhood Tampa Bay

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

The neighborhood of Hyde Park, adjacent to the University of Tampa and the city’s bustling downtown area, got its start in the 1880s when railroad tycoon Henry Plant, builder of the Port of Tampa, financed the building of a bridge spanning the Hillsborough River where Kennedy Boulevard is today. The first house appeared in 1882 and rapid growth followed.

Large citrus groves covered originally covered the majority of the area. By 1910, the groves were gone, the area was subdivided and large revival-style homes were being built. The area flourished until the Stock Market Crash of 1929 when the entire country was plunged into the Great Depression.

Following World War II, Hyde Park underwent renewed growth, but at a much slower pace as a majority of the real estate development was to the western and northwestern “rural” areas. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a renewed interest in more “urban” living, together with gaining popularity for architectural historic preservation. Since then, Hyde Park has enjoyed a reputation as one of the most desirable neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Hyde Park is the perfect place to live if you want to be in an established, historic neighborhood of distinctive homes, and be less than two miles from downtown Tampa where you’ll find the Tampa Bay Times Forum, home to the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, The Florida Aquarium, The Convention Center and all that downtown Tampa has to offer. And just nearby are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Legend’s Field, winter home to the New York Yankees and Ybor City. It’s also one of Tampa’s leading shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, where you’ll find a diverse mix of both local original restaurants and leading national favorites. You’ll find the big names stores as well as an eclectic collection of boutiques and creative one-of-a-kinders.

A bit newer on the Hyde Park scene is the area known as SoHo, or south of Howard Avenue. SoHo has become one of Tampa’s leading entertainment destinations as well, and is home to the iconic Bern’s Steak House. Creative epicurean takes are also cropping up in some of SoHo’s new higher-end restaurants, and nightclubs offer an eclectic mix of music, cocktails and some great Hyde Park nightlife. Art galleries, cafes, cool boutiques round out the offerings, making SoHo a vibrant addition to Hyde Park’s unique character.

Hyde Park Preservation, Inc., the neighborhood’s recognized association of residents, is a strong advocate of historic preservation, and works closely with the City of Tampa to ensure that the area retains its character. They provide a Neighborhood Watch program, and help maintain many things like Hyde Park’s signature street signs.

Ready to make Hyde Park your home? Contact us at 727-642-9107.

Editor’s note: This post was original published in October 2013. It has since been updated to include current information and edited for clarity.

Davis Islands: Tampa Exclusive Real Estate

January 26, 2016 By Chris

Like Hyde Park, Davis Islands is one of the most prestigious addresses in the Tampa Bay area but holds the distinction of being Tampa’s most sought after waterfront island community.

Davis Islands is a mature and eclectic collection of architectural styles, beautiful, well-established tree lined streets, impressive estates owned by leading national sports and business personalities, as well a sprinkling of bungalow-style homes, deep-water lots, lovely condominiums. The Davis Island Yacht Club, Peter O’Knight Airport, a seaplane basin and a “downtown” shopping area serving up restaurants, intimate cafes, lively bars and unique shopping opportunities all serve the many needs and desires of residents and visitors alike.

Minutes away from Davis Islands are downtown Tampa, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Convention Center, Tampa General Hospital, the St. Pete Times Forum, Florida Aquarium, Ybor City and virtually everything else Tampa has to offer both day and night. Tampa International Airport is conveniently and literally only 15-minutes away by car.

View of the downtown Tampa, Convention Center in foreground.

(Photo courtesy of By Robert Neff , via Wikimedia Commons)

Davis Islands is a dog friendly, walking neighborhood that offers a pedestrian trail spanning a majority of the island, and not one but two dog parks.

To reach Davis Islands from downtown Tampa, one must simply cross the Hillsborough River on the Kennedy Boulevard bridge, turn left (south) on Plant Avenue and cross the Davis Islands Causeway adjacent to Tampa General Hospital onto the islands.

From The Bottom of Tampa Bay To Exclusive Real Estate

Before there were Davis Islands, there were three small islands surrounded by mud flats at the mouth of the Hillsborough River where it flows into Hillsborough Bay and from there into Tampa Bay.

In the early 1920s, Tampa native D.P. Davis bankrolled some of the money he made as a Miami real estate developer to create a resort community complete with hotels, a nine-hole golf course, an airport and a swimming pool. Despite opposition from nearby neighbors, Davis dredged over 89 million cubic feet of sand from the bottom of Hillsborough Bay to create Davis Islands, which today encompasses 875 acres.

(Photo courtesy of Boston Public Library vis Flickr)

Every one of the initial 306 home lots that became available for purchase were bought within three hours after initially going on sale. A building frenzy ensued and many owners were encouraged to build Mediterranean Revival-style homes to help promote the “Venetian” ambiance of the new community. Many of these homes remain today.

In 1925, the Florida real estate development juggernaut came to a screeching halt and construction did not fully restart until after World War II. To help kick start sales, owners were able to build in any style they chose, which accounts for the eclectic mix of architectural styles seen today.

Since the 1980s, the Davis Islands Civic Association has been an active collection of homeowners whose goal it is to maintain the unique character of the islands, improve the quality of life throughout the community for the roughly 5,500 residents and promote projects such as the Seaplane Basin Park, Apex Park and Welcome Home Park. Membership is encouraged but not required.

If you’re considering a move to or near downtown Tampa and are looking for a community that offers an appealing mix of architectural styles, waterfront and bay access, world-class amenities, a marina facility, private airport and quiet, check out all that Davis Islands has to offer. We can help, call 727-642-9107 or email us.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2014. It has been updated to reflect new information and edited for cohesiveness.

Feather Sound: Small Town Feel in Metro Tampa-St. Pete

November 24, 2015 By Chris Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a community with a small town feel, but want all the amenities that come with living in a city, then maybe you should consider Feather Sound. Located on the eastern edge of Pinellas County, but still smack dab in the middle of the Tampa Bay metro area, Feather Sound is perfect for outdoor-loving young families, retirees, and those looking for a second home in Florida alike, and just may be the kind of community you’re searching for.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg area is replete with beautiful parks, world-class cultural offerings, a colorful history, fabulous restaurants and shopping, professional sports and access to some of the finest beaches in the world. While secluded and secure, Feather Sound is centrally located, and has convenient access to all that makes this part of Florida’s Gulf Coast one of the most sought after areas in the state.

Since its initial development in the late 1970’s and early 1980s, Feather Sound has grown into a diverse collection of businesses, single-family homes, condominiums, and town houses. Despite its residential focus and urban location, it shelters a verdant and thriving bird sanctuary on its northern and eastern boundaries. Within the confines of its various neighborhoods, residents take full advantage of Feather Sound’s collection of walking and biking trails.

For professionals needing proximity to major transportation hubs, the area is conveniently located minutes off I-275 and has easy access to Tampa International Airport and Clearwater International Airport. Its central location also makes it easy to take full advantage of all that Tampa and St. Petersburg have to offer. For golfing enthusiasts, Feather Sound is also home to the Feather Sound Country Club, one of Tampa-St. Petersburg’s most prestigious private golf and country clubs.

If living Florida’s outdoor lifestyle while enjoying the unique Tampa-St. Petersburg area is your desire, we’re confident you’ll find Feather Sound to your liking.

For more information or a tour of homes in the Feather Sound community, contact our team at (727) 642-9107.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October 2012. It’s been updated with the latest information and edited for cohesiveness.

Historic Old Northeast St. Petersburg

December 29, 2013 By Chris

What Makes Historic Old Northeast St. Petersburg Historic?

As part of our series of blogs on neighborhoods found throughout St. Petersburg and Tampa, we’ve covered St. Pete’s Historic Old Northeast area. But since it’s original posting, we’ve received quite a few inquiries from readers wanting to know more about the history of Old Northeast and what makes it so historic and appealing.

There are a lot of key architectural elements that set Old Northeast apart from the rest of St. Petersburg. Most obvious are the brick streets sided by granite curbs. Anyone who has walked through the neighborhood bounded by 4^th Street North, 5^th Avenue North, the waters of Tampa Bay, and 30^th Avenue North have also noticed the hexagonal block sidewalks. But those are just a few of its unique features.

Another thing that sets Old Northeast apart is the architectural and natural diversity of the community. In an area containing over 5,000 homes and around 9,000 residents, a walking tour reveals an eclectic mixture of Prairie style, Colonial Revival, Bungalow style, Mediterranean Revival and Williamsburg style homes. Mature landscaping, much dating back to the early 1900’s when the subdivision was started, includes huge live oaks, jacarandas, pines, palms, maples and magnolias. Some streets are well known for their attractive canopies of overhanging trees that give them a feeling of richness and privacy.

Many northerners feel very much at home when visiting Old Northeast. It’s not what they expect from a Florida neighborhood. But considering that most of the early Old Northeast settlers came from the actual northeast and brought with them their own northern design styles, it’s understandable.

Also notable is the history surrounding and within integral parts of the neighborhood. The historic Vinoy Park Hotel is considered the cornerstone of the area. Odd then that the Vinoy almost came under the wrecking ball after being virtually abandoned in the 1970s. Its restoration and re-opening in 1992 was cause for celebration and coincided with the widespread rebirth of downtown St. Pete, which now sports a vibrant nightlife, an abundance of cultural activities, excellent restaurants, live music venues and a great place to walk and enjoy its many parks and open spaces.

Unique residential landmarks found throughout the historic Old Northeast St. Petersburg area:

NOTE – Many of the above landmarks are now private residences, when visiting, please respect the owners’ privacy.

The Jones-Laughner Residence, 556 Beach Drive NE – great example of Craftsman-style architecture.
The Ridgely Residence, 600 Beach Drive NE – one of the best examples of rusticated concrete block construction in the area.
The Robert West House (Pineapple House), 101 6^th Avenue NE.
The Boyce Guest House, 635 Bay Street NE – once a tourist residence and Inn, now a private residence.
The Thomas Whitted House, 656 1^st Street N – Thomas’ son, Albert, a commercial aviator, had the Albert Whitted Airport named after him.
The Monticello Apartments, 730 3^rd Street N – Once a home for area artists, now a private residence.
The Pace Residence, 705 16^th Avenue NE.
Sunken Gardens, 1825 4^th Street N – One of Florida’s famed “Roadside Attractions.”
First Church of Christ Scientist, 253 5^th Avenue N – Now known as the Palladium Theater, for nearly 70 years this was an active site for worship.

Of course, one of the things that makes Old Northeast so special is its proximity to [Read more…]

Tarpon Springs Estate Compound New Listing

October 24, 2013 By Chris Leave a Comment

New Listing: Tarpon Springs Estate Compound Offers History, Serenity and Privacy

Buyers seeking a distinctive Tampa Bay area home that combines history with modern upgrades and conveniences, together with tranquility, privacy and seclusion – yet all within a bustling waterfront community – and an abundance of room for an expanding family and/or lots of guests know the search is challenging. They also know they need to be prepared to jump when the right opportunity comes along.

Here it is. Just listed by Chris Hounchell & Associates is a completely restored former Pappas Family estate built in the 1920s, and located on Spring Bayou bordering historic downtown Tarpon Springs. This is truly a rare offering. Nestled on approximately ¾-acre, this unique sanctuary compound stretches an entire city block from Spring Boulevard to High Street, and includes a four bedroom, three and 1/2 bath main residence plus a two-story guesthouse over a three-car garage all situated within a lushly landscaped garden setting.

Historic Pappas Family Estate Now Available

Those familiar with Tarpon Springs history know the Pappas Family was responsible for turning the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks into a major Tampa Bay area tourist destination. And for decades, the Pappas Family Restaurant was a major dining mecca, and one of the largest employers in Tarpon Springs.

Dramatic open spaces dominate the interior of the two-story, 6,830 square foot (5,398 square feet air conditioned) main house, which features an island-style chef’s kitchen complete with stainless-steel appliances and a breakfast bar, stately office/den, formal living and dining rooms, built-in surround sound system, sauna, a sweeping wrap around staircase, utility room, breakfast room, walk-in pantry, travertine tile and original restored wood floors, built-in bar, covered porches, French doors, a double sided fireplace, outdoor kitchen, floor-to-ceiling doors and panoramic views of the freshly landscaped yard.

Just steps from the main house is an in-ground heated pool and outdoor Jacuzzi adorned with several water features. An expansive backyard/green space ensures the utmost privacy.

Arrivals are by land or sea. A marina just steps from the rear of the property provides easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, and just offshore is the Anclote Key Preserve State Park.

The property is listed for sale by Chris Hounchell & Associates at $895,000. To arrange for a tour of this one-of-a-kind private compound, contact Chris today at 727-642-9107. Don’t wait, an opportunity like this won’t be around for long.

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