Nautical-Themed $5.37 Million Florida Home in the ‘Hamptons of the South’ Boasts Its Own Lookout Tower

Ahoy there, mateys. If you find yourself lusting after a life on the high seas, one recently listed $5.37 million property may provide you with the perfect chance to take on the role of captain, while your feet remain on solid ground.

Although there are tons of beachfront homes for sale in Florida, particularly on the state’s panhandle, a standout listing offers a nautical-themed home with a “towering” amenity.

Accessible through a spiral staircase, an actual elevated tower juts through the roof at this Inlet Beach, FL, home, boasting scenic sunset and Gulf of Mexico views, along with cool breezes.

“The way this architect positioned this home, they wanted to take advantage of the views and the best way to do that was the tower structure that arises through the center of the house,” says listing agent Jonathan Spears, founder of Spears Group.

“In the hot summer, it’s a great way to get outside of the heat because it’s covered and has a sea breeze. It’s a great spot for sunsets, too.”

Nautical-themed design

The home is asking $5,375,000 and has had only one owner, who built it in 2014.

The original owners picked this primo property for its close proximity to the beach and then were inspired by the water for their design.

“When this neighborhood was launched, they had a pick of available lots,” says Spears. “They chose this lot because it’s in a prime position, in a neighborhood with beach access. They’ve got these rolling beautiful white-sand dunes and some of the best stretches in the area.”

To that end, the beach path is just 500 feet from the house.

In addition to the main house, a private pool and a one-bedroom, one-bath carriage house are included with the property. There are a total of five bedrooms and 5.5 baths.

As a nod to the nearby shoreline, there are ship-style lanterns and walls painted blues and grays. Twenty-foot ceilings in the living room invite in natural light.

For a buyer who loves to entertain and cook, the kitchen features a center island with seating for four guests along with high-end appliances and lots of storage, while the dining area seats eight people and a screened porch is also suitable for entertaining.

For multigenerational families, a bunk room offers two custom-built, twin-over-twin bunks and a private bath.

Then, on the third floor is the primary suite with a private balcony flaunting beach views. The retreat also has an en suite bath with a walk-in shower and soaking tub.

‘Hamptons of the South’

In fact, the area is likened to the an upscale coastal area up north that also attracts vacationers.

“We call it the Hamptons of the South,” Spears says. “People who purchase here at the beach, they’re generally looking for legacy properties where they’re bringing children and grandchildren.”

A snowbird is the target buyer for this listing.

“The buyer profile is [from] Kansas City; Columbus, Ohio; and even Chicago and the suburbs,” Spears reveals. “Wintertime is the best time to market this property. As folks settle into the first snowfall, they get FOMO for summertime and the weather at the beach.”

Tucked into Watersound Beach, which is a “New Urbanism” community designed for walking and bicycling, the listing might also attract an architectural enthusiast.

“What’s so special about WaterSound is that each community has its own architectural character,” Spears explains. “WaterSound embodies a modern Nantucket style. There’s a cohesiveness with this coastal village through the architecture and urban planning.”

Owners are a mix of second-home and year-round residents, according to Spears, who explains: “Post COVID, a lot of people moved out of urban areas [such as] Atlanta, New Orleans, Birmingham, Asheville, and Nashville.”

He adds that “migration from those areas” is still in full swing and that agents have noticed “an undertone of the tech industry where they’re working from home and supporting companies in California, New York, or Texas.”

With access to three commercial airports, “It makes somebody’s lifestyle at the beach more convenient,” he says.