One of Finest Homes in Florida on the Market for $18 million

Dec. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- 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/