Perry Snell's waterfront Mansion , one of Florida's finest historic homes, was just listed for $18 million, in the St Petersburg/Tampa Bay area on the West Coast of Florida
Perry Snell, the legendary developer in Florida, staked out this site for his main residence & reportedly filled several railway cars with Italian marble & a treasures collected during his travels throughout Europe to be used in its construction.
Today the home has been brought back to its original splendor . A crew of over 100
master craftsmen & artisans handpicked by contractor, Rick Worley, were onsite daily for two years, returning the Mansion to its original glory. Worley Construction , well known for quality work, was responsible for the majority of the restoration and renovation project.
According to Alona Dishy, (Realty Executives) Listing Agent for this estate, "The restoration & craftsmanship that went into this property is the best of the best in every sense of the word. It was a monumental project with millions spent to preserve the past."
A premier location and property on 1.6 acres, with approx 600ft of waterfront on Tampa Bay, it offers panoramic views and features separate guest quarters,a 75 ft heated lap pool & spa, coral walkways, ponds & of course the home itself, that was built by Perry Snell
A 3-story Mizner style beauty with intricate details from floor to ceiling that speaks for itself. In 1939 Wally & Louise Bishop purchased the estate. Wally Bishop, a cartoonist pilot and sailor, was known for "Mugs and Skeeter", his syndicated newspaper cartoon that he created in his thrid floor studio at the home. Wally Bishop died in 1982; Louise Bishop died in 2005.
The current ownership purchased the home in 2006. Much of the home at the time of purchase was altered to accomodate the needs of the family and the decades of changing trends and styles.
Today's owners saw the need to preserve this special landmark, saving it from potentially being demolished by developers looking to build several homes on the land.
Everything was restored and alterations by the previous owners were removed to preserve the Snell Heritage: From fireplaces to light fixtures, plaster, stucco to woodwork, hardware, trimwork, glass, fixtures and fittings, details, utilities and accessories. Many restored and salvaged items are several centuries old and found throughout castles and buildings in Europe. Anything new was crafted in the highest quality materials.
Master Craftsmen were employed to replicate columns and add balconies, artists revived intricate paintings on the ceiling beams that were hidden beneath layers of wallpaint, pecky cypress and marble was restored or salvaged, hidden fireplaces unveiled, arches & ceiling beams were rediscovered beneath layers of paint, while state of the art audio, visual & security systems were added throughout the home. the seawall was replaced and the private fishing pier restored plus dockage added to hold large watercraft .
"Every sq. ft of this home is one of a kind " says Alona Dishy, who also sold the home to the current owners " To attempt to replicate the building would be far in excess of $10,000 per sq foot, This is an extraordinary home that deserves all the national and international attention and accolades it is receiving!".
Alona Dishy, 727 458-8037 . For tour and photos go to www.alonadishy.com
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Alona Dishy/
