Iconic bayfront residences that made history
With their ease of access to both land and sea, bayfront locations are deemed as prime destinations for tourists and ideal residences for both short and long term stays.
Globally, these waterfront areas boast of stunning seascapes while driving sustained real estate growth in their respective locales. Here are a few iconic bayfront properties that do not only have long and storied histories, but also showcase how property values can change over the years.
The “Princess Diaries House”
San Francisco Bay Area
As one of the world’s most famous bayfront locations, the San Francisco Bay Area is home to many renowned properties. Some have even served as backdrops to iconic moments on film and TV, attracting real estate investors and film buffs as well.
One of the most notable properties that has seen significant appreciation in recent years is the “Princess Diaries” house, located in the diverse Excelsior District. Located at 724 Brazil Avenue, the home was originally built in the early 20th century and was valued at around $4,000 to $5,000 at the time of its construction.
In 2001, during the filming of the classic “The Princess Diaries,” the property’s value skyrocketed to around $400,000, aligning with the steady growth of San Francisco’s real estate market. Though it remains quaint and relatively simple compared to the grandeur of other such properties, this residence is valued today at around $1.2 million to $1.5 million—a sign of both San Francisco’s booming real estate market and the magic of cinema.
The “Edward Scissorhands” House
Tampa Bay
Much like the “Princess Diaries” house, the “Edward Scissorhands” house in the Tampa Bay area is another quaint residence made famous by its connection to cinema.
Located at 1774 Tinsmith Circle, the 1,432 sq ft residence served as a home for Tim Burton’s 1990 movie “Edward Scissorhands,” where the movie’s titular character, played by Johnny Depp, stayed with the family that took him in.
In September 2020, the house was purchased for $230,000. Besides serving as a residence, the house was also turned into a museum dedicated to the movie, where fans could enter for free.
By March 2022, the house was back on the market for $699,900. It was the fifth most Googled house by February of the following year, a month after the listing for the house was removed, averaging over 5,300 searches globally.
The “Mrs. Doubtfire” House
San Francisco Bay Area
Another site for film buffs and real estate investors is the house featured in the 1993 comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire”. The iconic residence, located along Steiner Street, has witnessed over a century of history in San Francisco.
First built in 1893, the little home was likely to have been valued at around $2,000 to $2,400 at the time of its construction. But over a hundred years later, in 1993, it found new life as the home to Robin Williams’ iconic nanny-in-disguise. This helped raise its value to over $200,000, reaching an approximate value of $249,170 since the movie was filmed.
In the wake of San Francisco’s flourishing real estate market, and its value as an icon in cinema, this property is now estimated to be worth between $5.2 million and $5.5 million. Its most recent sale in 2016 found it valued at $4.15 million, marking another chapter in its long history.
The residence, which spans over 3,300 sq ft, began as a Victorian family home and now offers breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. After Williams’ untimely death in 2014, the house became something of a memorial site, with fans of the late actor leaving mementos at its doorstep.
The Friary on the Severn
Chesapeake Bay
Set on 23 acres overlooking the Severn River and minutes from Annapolis, in America’s Chesapeake Bay, is The Friary on the Severn, a Georgian-style mansion that was once used as a Catholic friary, as its name suggests.
The property, most of which was built in 1922, changed hands several times before it was purchased by the Catholic Church in 1950, converting it to the St. Conrad friary, which housed over 60 Catholic monks.
Over the years, the monk population in the property began to dwindle. But in 2002, it was purchased for $2.5 million and underwent extensive restoration, adding wings and extensions that continued the trend of Georgian-style architecture. Spanning over 35,435 sq ft, the residence eventually housed several bedrooms and bathrooms, and even a conservatory on two levels, a large wine cellar, and a library.
The stunning property, surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the sparkling waters of the river down below, was put on auction in 2021. It was listed at around $24.9 million at the time of its auction.
Renovated Historic Villa
Kotor Bay, Montenegro
Found in Perast, one of the most sightly and beautiful locations in Kotor Bay in Montenegro is a luxurious stone villa that has lasted over three centuries.
The villa, which is over 350 years old, was renovated in 2013 and converted into the exquisite villa it is today. With a living area of over 273 sqm, the residence now offers a kitchen, a living room, and a winery. There is also an additional apartment with its own bathroom, as well as a large swimming pool in front of the house.
Aside from its interior offerings, the villa also has a terrace of over 48 sqm, allowing residents to marvel at the open sea views. The villa itself is close to a beach and the village of Perast. It is accessible to the historic city of Kotor by 14 km.
According to the site Belalgarve and Astra Real Estate, the bay area property is valued at around 2.65 million Euros.
Sources: winklerrealestategroup.com, tampabay.com, businessobserverfl.com, justluxe.com, friaryonthesevern.com, conciergeauctions.com, belalgarve.com, astrarealestate.me
