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Crystal River is a small Florida Gulf Coast town located about an hour and half's drive northeast of Tampa. Teeming with native wildlife and serene freshwater springs, Crystal River is home to not only a wealth of natural beauty, but also one of the most quintessentially "Floridian" homes I've ever seen.
What do you envision when you think of a "Florida home"? Colorful wooden sidings, plantation shutters, "Margaritaville" vibes? Whatever you're envisioning, this one-of-a-kind Crystal River home will shatter all of your expectations. The whole house goes 100% in on its Floridian theme- starting with the backyard.
A backyard full of sea cows? Oh yeah, we're off to a great start. Quirky real estate enthusiast @seth.hollingsworth found a true hidden gem with this unique Crystal River property. Granted, the $3.3 million asking price is a whopping figure, but considering that you can look out over a freshwater spring and watch manatees swim by from your backyard, it's not the craziest price tag. The property's uniqueness doesn't stop with the manatees, though: we're only just getting started.
Related: Video of Manatee ‘Dancing’ With Snorkeler in a Florida Spring Is Super Sweet
The aquatic theme continues inside in a major way. The floors in the main living areas are painted and sealed in such that they resemble a shallow lagoon complete with sandbars popping out. It's a bold look that I personally love, but imagine what a head trip walking across that floor would be after a few too many mai tais...
Between the tropical floors, nautical vibes, and manatee and mermaid theming everywhere (including the giant Anais Nin mermaid quote on the front of the house, which is a bonkers design choice), this whole house screams "marine maximalism." It's giving "Margaritaville deluxe." However, as intense as the theming was, Seth had to commend it: "They've committed to the theme here, which we know I respect." He also had to give mad props to the in-house vending machine and the pirate-themed kids room: again, it's a lot to take in, but it's on brand.
While I was just as bewildered as Seth was by this place, I can't help but kind of love it. I have a weakness for unique real estate and kooky, artsy houses that are obviously someone's passion project, and this Crystal River home fits the bill. If I had $3.3 million to throw around, would I buy this place? I mean, between those amazing floors and the manatees in the backyard, I'd be tempted...
More about the Crystal River Manatee House
According to this home's Zillow listing (which Seth referenced in his video), this 5-bed, 5-bath home was built in 1960, though as the video makes "crystal" clear, it's had a lot of work done on it since then. In addition to its waterfront location and one-of-a-kind interior design, the home also has a sun deck and a fire pit, perfect for gathering around on the relatively cooler nights during peak manatee season. The property has 333 feet of private shoreline, and if you enjoy kayaking in freshwater springs , you can paddle yourself a short distance to the famous Three Sisters Springs, a beautiful and beloved haven for Florida wildlife .
Sadly, the asking price is far, far outside of my budget (or most people's budgets). Whoever does purchase this place, I hope they don't change a thing. I've never seen the concept of "Florida" condensed so perfectly into one home before. This place is a kitschy work of art, and I hope its next owner continues to treat it as such!
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