521 HARBOR DRIVE S, Venice, FL, 34285 | $895,000

Celebrate Venice’s centennial in an original 1926 residence, thoughtfully preserved and updated within the Venezia Park Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as home to the most significant collection of historic homes in Venice. One hundred years later, it stands as one of the finest examples of what thoughtful preservation and modern restoration can achieve, a centennial home, impeccably updated and move-in ready. This is not a home that asks you to compromise. The character of 1926 is all here and so are the finishes, systems and details of 2026. This home is designed to embrace the Florida lifestyle. A covered loggia with pecky cypress ceiling, graceful arched openings and a classic balustrade announces the home's arrival before you even go inside. Through the original glass-paned front door, the interiors unfold with warmth and intention. Original heart of pine floors refinished to a rich, warm luster extend throughout the first floor. Arched openings, original interior doors, custom period casings and French doors with glass hardware speak to a level of craftsmanship rarely encountered. Vaulted, beamed ceilings and an original brick fireplace anchor the living room, where natural light pours through updated windows dressed in plantation shutters. Period-style sconces and light fixtures carry the aesthetic through the formal dining room, which opens via French doors to an enclosed lanai and its garden views beyond. The kitchen is the rare kind that honors its context without sacrificing a thing, floor to ceiling natural cherry cabinetry, stone countertops, and modern appliances all selected to complement the home’s architectural period. A first-floor bedroom and fully updated bath showcase black and white tile, a pedestal sink, original honeycomb tile flooring and a beautifully refinished cast iron bathtub. Upstairs, the original wood staircase leads to two bright bedrooms and a second full bath, each finished with the same cohesive, period-appropriate care, including original narrow plank oak floors and another refinished cast iron tub. A detached guest house completes the picture, a private, fully equipped retreat with kitchenette, full bath and walk-in shower, ideal for guests or multigenerational living. A paver patio connects the two structures, creating a seamless outdoor living space framed by mature, established landscaping. The structure, solid, updated and worry-free. The home has been comprehensively improved beneath its beautiful surface with full plumbing replacement with new PVC lines throughout, a three-zone air conditioning system with entirely new ductwork (2019), a new water heater (2026), roof replacements on the main residence (2010) and guest house (2023), and a hurricane-rated privacy wall (2014). These are not deferred items, they are done. The location is the final grace note. Historic downtown Venice with its charming boutiques, acclaimed restaurants, galleries, theaters and parks are just a short distance from the front door. With the Gulf never far, the island’s pristine beaches are an easy visit, bike ride or quick drive from your front door, just the way life on Venice Island was always meant to be.

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