Pass-a-Grille: Spanish Triplex
Pass-a-Grille, a barrier island community that lies on the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the east by Boca Ciega Bay. A charming, historic town that was one of the earliest settlements on the coast started as a fishing village. Some say the name came from the sight of fishermen grilling their catch on the beach as boats passed by.
Pass-a-Grille still maintains the pleasant laid-back feel of the beach communities developed in the early 1900's. Strict zoning has avoided the intrusion of the highrise beach condos that plague the rest of the Gulf Coast.
Its quaint downtown and brightly colored cottages are reminisent of artist's colonies. Today, its galleries, restaurants and B & B's draw Floridians and visitors from all over the world.
Considered one of the most pleasing beaches in the area, Pass-a-Grille has fine white sand and shells backed by waving dunes of sea oats and palms protecting the colorful cottages from nature's fury. The gradual drop-off of the firm sand into the low waves makes for safe swiming for kids and miles of excellent walking or jogging at sunrise or sunset.
A fifteen minute walk up the beach is the great Don Cesar Hotel with its old time elegance and its coral wedding cake architecture. It's great destination for a thirst quencing drink or an elegant lunch. A ten minute walk south is the historic 8th Avenue with small elegant shops, boats for fishing, shelling and trips around the area. A highlight is the beach front cafe with casual food and music at sunset.
As the evening approaches, join the quiet migration down to the beach to reflect on the day and watch the sun set on over the Gulf, perchance to catch the green flash.
The beach access walkway is just a block down the street. One block away in the other direction is the bay and the Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club.
Our charming beach cottage is pink stucco with an arched entryway in the Spanish style surrounded by bright red bougainvillea, pink hibiscus and white jasmine.
There are 3 separate apartments, each with a private deck or patio out back. The two story middle unit is the largest with one bright, spacious bedroom on the top floor with views in all directions. The two other units flank the middle unit. In addtion to the master bedroom each of these units has extra sleeping in the livingroom for guests.
Spanish Triplex - History
The Spanish Triplex was originally built as two separate beach houses during the early development of Pass-a-grille in the 1920's. They were built before city supplied water was available, so each was built with cistern in the foundation that collected rainwater. Over time, city water, gas, sewerage, and then greywater for irrigation were supplied and the cottages were modernized to take advantage of these modern untilities. The cisterns were sealed up and are no longer used.
The two cottages were mirror images of each other. Eventually a car port was made between the units along with the arched entranceway. The car port was converted to an apartment and then enlarged.
At the beginning of this century, we designed and added a second story bedroom, bathroom, laundry, deck and sleeping alcove to the middle unit. The Spanish themed architecture was continued to what we have today. The upstairs bedroom has views in all directions and is light and airy.
In 2011, the old spiral staircase was replaced with full oak stairway and the downstairs bathroom was moved and redesigned into a modern European style with a continuous tiled floor into the shower.
Pass-a-Grille still maintains the pleasant laid-back feel of the beach communities developed in the early 1900's. Strict zoning has avoided the intrusion of the highrise beach condos that plague the rest of the Gulf Coast.
Its quaint downtown and brightly colored cottages are reminisent of artist's colonies. Today, its galleries, restaurants and B & B's draw Floridians and visitors from all over the world.
Considered one of the most pleasing beaches in the area, Pass-a-Grille has fine white sand and shells backed by waving dunes of sea oats and palms protecting the colorful cottages from nature's fury. The gradual drop-off of the firm sand into the low waves makes for safe swiming for kids and miles of excellent walking or jogging at sunrise or sunset.
A fifteen minute walk up the beach is the great Don Cesar Hotel with its old time elegance and its coral wedding cake architecture. It's great destination for a thirst quencing drink or an elegant lunch. A ten minute walk south is the historic 8th Avenue with small elegant shops, boats for fishing, shelling and trips around the area. A highlight is the beach front cafe with casual food and music at sunset.
As the evening approaches, join the quiet migration down to the beach to reflect on the day and watch the sun set on over the Gulf, perchance to catch the green flash.
The beach access walkway is just a block down the street. One block away in the other direction is the bay and the Pass-a-Grille Yacht Club.
Our charming beach cottage is pink stucco with an arched entryway in the Spanish style surrounded by bright red bougainvillea, pink hibiscus and white jasmine.
There are 3 separate apartments, each with a private deck or patio out back. The two story middle unit is the largest with one bright, spacious bedroom on the top floor with views in all directions. The two other units flank the middle unit. In addtion to the master bedroom each of these units has extra sleeping in the livingroom for guests.
Spanish Triplex - History
The Spanish Triplex was originally built as two separate beach houses during the early development of Pass-a-grille in the 1920's. They were built before city supplied water was available, so each was built with cistern in the foundation that collected rainwater. Over time, city water, gas, sewerage, and then greywater for irrigation were supplied and the cottages were modernized to take advantage of these modern untilities. The cisterns were sealed up and are no longer used.
The two cottages were mirror images of each other. Eventually a car port was made between the units along with the arched entranceway. The car port was converted to an apartment and then enlarged.
At the beginning of this century, we designed and added a second story bedroom, bathroom, laundry, deck and sleeping alcove to the middle unit. The Spanish themed architecture was continued to what we have today. The upstairs bedroom has views in all directions and is light and airy.
In 2011, the old spiral staircase was replaced with full oak stairway and the downstairs bathroom was moved and redesigned into a modern European style with a continuous tiled floor into the shower.