The story
- Waterfront
Tucked away at the very end of a quiet street in Anna Maria, 511 South Drive is a truly distinctive waterfront retreat offering exceptional privacy and nearly 180 feet of water frontage along Bimini Bay. Once featured in SRQ Magazine, this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath residence—known as The Morris House—captures the relaxed beauty of island living, with dolphins, manatees and coastal birdlife providing an ever-changing backdrop. Originally built by Ross Built, the home is rich in British Arts and Crafts character, yet has been beautifully updated for modern living. Throughout the home, remarkable details speak to its history and craftsmanship, from a William Morris stained-glass window to a mantel sourced from a mansion in Great Britain. Since 2024, the home has undergone an extensive collection of thoughtful improvements, blending its distinctive character with beautifully updated interiors, enhanced outdoor living and important mechanical upgrades. A private courtyard surrounded by mature tropical landscaping and a charming koi pond creates a memorable sense of arrival. Step inside, and oversized windows and French doors frame the waterfront setting, immediately drawing your eye toward sweeping water views. The main level was extensively refreshed in 2025 with new wood-grain tile flooring, custom wood trim and baseboards, and built-in living room bookshelves crafted by a master carpenter. The kitchen was reimagined with new cabinetry, quartz countertops and a suite of high-end appliances including a Fulgor Milano range, ASKO dishwasher and a GE Monogram refrigerator. A Blanco undermount sink features instant ultra-filtered hot water, while the adjoining pantry received additional cabinetry and electrical upgrades. The downstairs bath was also updated with new cabinetry, quartz countertops and a new sink. Designed for both gathering and everyday living, the expansive great room opens to the waterfront setting, while a separate media room and game room offer additional spaces for entertaining. Two guest bedrooms on the main level open directly to the courtyard and share a Jack-and-Jill bath. The entire upper level is dedicated to the primary suite, creating a private retreat surrounded by spectacular water views. Windows and French doors span three sides of the bedroom, while the expansive private deck provides an idyllic setting for sunrise coffee or an evening cocktail. The primary bath features an oversized walk-in shower and a clawfoot soaking tub. Outdoor living has also been beautifully enhanced. The wraparound porch was screened in 2024, creating a wonderful extension of the interior living space overlooking the water. A new hot tub was added in 2025, followed by an outdoor shower and new pavers along the front and side of the home in 2026. A new irrigation system was also installed. Along the nearly 180 feet of waterfront, two docks invite you to embrace the boating lifestyle, including a boat lift for easy access to fishing and sunset cruises and an enclosed boathouse for fishing gear and water toys. Additional recent improvements include a new downstairs AC system, new split AC unit, new hot water heater, floor outlets, updated lighting, and more. Just minutes from the beaches, Pine Avenue's shops and restaurants and the Anna Maria City Pier, The Morris House offers a rare combination of architectural character, exceptional privacy and substantial water frontage —all within a remarkable setting in Anna Maria.
