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A historic Tampa mansion is for sale
The Arthur Milam house on Davis Island is for sale for a cool $4.65 million dollars. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer gives us the story.
TAMPA, Fla - A historic Davis Islands home for sale has hit the market for $4.65 million, offering a rare look into the early development of the Tampa area.
The castle-like estate, known as the Arthur Milam Mansion or Ivy House, stands as a living antique coated in thick vines.
Tampa real estate listing
What we know:
The home was built in 1925 for developer Arthur Milam, a business partner of Davis Islands visionary D.P. Davis. It features a six-bedroom and six-bathroom layout, along with three half-bathrooms after undergoing one major addition.
A historical plaque mounted outside the home confirms that the Arthur Milam House at 301 Caspian St. was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1925.
The original entryway, walls, floors, ceilings, doorknobs, and private balconies overlooking a central courtyard remain intact. A small plaque on the property indicates its status on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historical figures in Tampa
The backstory:
The mansion at 301 Caspian St. was designed by Franklin Adams, the notable architect behind Plant High School and Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Arthur Milam constructed the home during the initial development of the area while D.P. Davis was still alive.
The interior of the home features a spacious living layout that blends unique historic details, like original floors and ceilings, with spaces modified during the estate's single major expansion.
According to a local historian, it is one of only about 100 buildings constructed during that foundational era. Demolition, redevelopment, and severe weather have left fewer than half of those original structures standing.
Local real estate reactions
What they're saying:
"It's unique. You'll never find another house like this," said current owner Sherry Paniello, who purchased the property six years ago. "It's just amazing how they thought of the vision of building this house back then."
The kitchen area showcases a wide center island and large classic windows looking out onto the property's vibrant, vine-covered exterior walls.
"You have to appreciate the history of it. This is part of Tampa," realtor Brenda Kennedy said. Kennedy added that she touches the walls and wishes they could talk to share their stories.
Regional historic preservation
Local perspective:
Tampa historian Rodney Kite-Powell, with the Tampa Bay History Center, emphasized that surviving structures are increasingly rare. He explained that as original homes are lost to hurricanes and demolition, the remaining buildings become much more significant.
Built in 1925, the historic "Ivy House" stands as a living antique and is one of fewer than 50 original buildings still standing from the initial development phase of Davis Islands.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a local real estate listing and current property documentation, as well as interviews conducted with owner Sherry Paniello, realtor Brenda Kennedy, and Tampa Bay History Center historian Rodney Kite-Powell.