Extraordinary Off-Grid ‘Stilt Home’ That Hovers Above a St. Augustine Beach Hits the Market for $1.35 Million

Beachfront homes that offer instant access to white sand and a crystal-clear ocean are a rare find—but even rarer is a dwelling that sits directly atop that beachfront, mere feet away from the water.

Yet one such property has just washed ashore in St. Augustine, FL, listed for $1.35 million, 19 years after it last changed hands for less than a sixth of that price.

This unique dwelling is situated on large wooden stilts that have been hammered into the sand, providing the perfect perch overlooking the water, ensuring 24/7 beach access—a rare amenity that comes with its fair share of complications.

Unsurprisingly, given its location, the home is classified as being at “extreme” risk of flooding, according to the Realtor.com® Flood Factor rating, which notes that the dwelling has a “100% risk of flooding” over the next 30 years.

Additionally, the “stilt house” has an extreme wind factor rating, as well as an extreme risk of hotter-than-average temperatures.

Remarkably, the home is one of several stilt houses in the Summer Haven community of St. Augustine. However, it is arguably one of the few that have enjoyed a level of care and attention that has helped it to achieve what the listing describes as a “legendary” status in the local housing market.

Offering just shy of 3,400 square feet of living space, the elevated abode has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It comes with nearly a half-acre plot of sandy land.

The dwelling is fully powered by enormous solar panels covering a large portion of the roof. The lights will stay on even in the event of a disaster.

Far from offering the luxury found in the waterfront homes of Manalapan and Palm Beach, this abode is all about rustic charm and solitude due to its remote location.

“Accessible by 4 x 4, this off-grid-capable retreat is solar powered, oceanfront, and steeped in nostalgic charm,” the listing notes.

The dwelling was built in 1980 and first sold for $345,000 in 1983. It changed hands for the same price just over 10 years later. In 2004, it was listed for the hugely elevated price of $2.2 million, according to Realtor.com records. Interestingly, the property was sold in January 2006 for just $200,000.

Its current owners are hoping to make more than a pretty penny with the sale, provided they can achieve close to their asking price.

Potential buyers will need to consider not only the environmental risk, but also the task of updating the home to bring it into the modern era.

Currently, the home offers a rustic aesthetic, with rich wood found in every room—making it look more like a cabin than a beach retreat.

But the exterior features an incredible wraparound porch, which ensures picture-perfect vistas from every angle.

The open-plan home has a soaring beamed ceiling and an enormous stone fireplace in the main living space.

“The open-concept great room feels like a lodge in the sky, lined with panoramic windows that frame sunrise views over the Atlantic,” the listing notes.

“With wraparound porches, vaulted interiors, and no direct road traffic, this is more than a home, it’s a sanctuary.

“Whether you’re savoring morning coffee on the deck, falling asleep to the sound of waves, or sharing stories fireside, every inch of this home invites reconnection with nature, with beauty, and with a simpler way of life.”