Hillsborough River dock house
A ramshackle exterior conceals a modern residence in this truly unique character home. The small house is built at the end of a pier in the Hillsborough River within sight of downtown Tampa, Florida.
The structure was built over 50 years ago, likely as a boat shed. Someone probably started living in it when the area was still somewhat unregulated. When more restrictive land use regulations were put in place, the existing residential use was “grandfathered” in, i.e., allowed to continue despite not complying with the new rules.
After following the dock to the house, the front door opens to a hallway that leads past the bedroom to the open living space facing the water. Large windows and narrow decks surround the living area, allowing you to enjoy the river and skyline views from inside or out.
The bedroom’s ensuite bathroom has an old-time cottage feel with a clawfoot bathtub and a pedestal sink. There is also a powder room for visitors off the entry hallway. Laundry facilities are included too, with a stacked washer and dryer in a bedroom closet.
Planning a visit to Tampa? The Hillsborough River house can be rented through Airbnb. Have a great weekend!
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Photographs by Ybor Photography, courtesy of Airbnb.
Text copyright 2015 SmallHouseBliss. All Rights Reserved.
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Oh, there is nothing quite like living *on* the water. My family was a boating family back in the ’60s and ’70s, so when we moved to our lake in 1978 to live (just my parents and I at this point) we didn’t want to get away from the life we loved so dearly. So, my dad designed a waterhouse…a home that floats on the water (often called houseboats elsewhere). It took a year to build after he found some folks to agree to do so…they thought he was a bit crazy as there were no other examples in the Midwest. We lived on our cruiser during this year and it was a grand experience. My teen years were spent living in the waterhouse, a cape cod style two story home, with the utility room and a screened in porch on the lower level and the living space upstairs, and a big deck and slips for boats. It was one bedroom, plus a loft and was just right for the three of us. I feel so blessed to have lived this life on the water. It was filled with friends and family sharing the experience (not to mention the parade of boats that went past from spring to fall!) My parents eventually had to sell this special home due to their age, but it holds a very special place in the hearts of our family. Thankfully the people that own it now also enjoy and take care of it as we once did.
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