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, 34th 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.
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