2700 Driftwood Rd., St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Step back into Old Florida on one of the rarest properties in all of Pinellas County, presented for sale for the first time since 1921. Originally built out of heart of pine and cypress woods by master shipbuilder Barney Williams in 1910, the Gandy-O'Brien estate in Driftwood is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home built on Big Bayou, where large sailing ships would come in to its protected waters off Tampa Bay. In 1921, a few days before one of the worst storms in St. Petersburg's history wiped out so much of the city, George "Gidge" Gandy Jr, son of George Gandy Sr the bridge builder, purchased the property and ended up riding out the storm in the house that was built "like a well made ship". Williams used a ship's spar for the banister, and years later, Gidge himself painted a compass on the ceiling of his den, a nod to its nautical beginnings. In 1982 after Gidge Gandy's death, his daughter, Helen Gandy O'Brien moved back into the home where she was born, and it has remained in the family ever since. Gidge nicknamed the property "Mullet Farm" for the constant sounds of mullet jumping offshore, and today, from the beach and dock, the serenity of the bayou takes you back to a simpler time. The property itself is over 1.25 acres of lush tropical landscaping, including a detached garage and apartment next to a long-leaf pine tree older than the house, and could be redeveloped with some due diligence. Make your appointment today for a private tour of this magnificent property rich in history and charm of Old Florida!