Sears & Roebuck founder’s 100-year-old prairie-inspired Florida home draws huge interest after listing for just $600,000
A picturesque Florida residence built by the founder of Sears & Roebuck Alva Roebuck has secured itself a buyer just days after it hit the market for just $600,000.
Located in the small coastal town of Gulfport, a community of brightly colored cottages that attracts all kinds of creatives and free spirits, the quaint home was built by the retail giant in 1925.
Many of the original 100-year-old design details have survived to this day, blending in perfectly with the many modern upgrades installed in the century since Roebuck moved in.
With three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms spread over 1,500 square meters of living space, the home’s footprint is compact yet comfortable, with bright rooms that flow seamlessly from one to the next and modernized kitchen and bathroom areas.
The fact that it was built by Roebuck – the co-founder of the retail giant that defined the American department store industry at the turn of the 20th century – adds an undeniable bit of historic flair.
Born in Lafayette, IN, Roebuck moved to Florida after leaving the company in 1895 – when he was bought out by Sears for just $20,000.
However, his time in the Sunshine State was cut short by the Wall Street Crash of 1929, during which he lost a very large portion of his fortune, ultimately forcing him to return to the company that had made him so famous.
Today, his name is closely intertwined with the evolution of U.S. housing, thanks to the 1908 launch of the iconic Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog homes, a collection of turnkey mail-order homes that took the country by storm after they were first released.
Although Roebuck had left the company by the time these properties launched, his name was still firmly printed on the products.
Likewise, his legacy continues in Florida, with his former home serving as what the agent described as a truly remarkable example of craftsmanship and design.
“It is simply one of the most charming homes you will find in the famed Gulfport neighborhood,” says listing agent Steven Sallo from LPT Realty LLC. “The craftsmanship, the details, the way the house feels high and dry in a non-flood zone – it all matters.”
Roebuck, who also invented the Woodstock typewriter, chose Gulfport as his retirement destination and built his dream Craftsman-style home with Colonial Revival influences.
These sentiments are reflected in the original hardwood floors, crown molding and large windows that fill the interior with natural light and connect the home to the lush surroundings.
“The hardwood floors have been impeccably restored, giving the home a warm and fuzzy feel that is difficult to duplicate,” the listing said.
Set amidst a brick street neighborhood that still reflects the 1920s era, the house exudes a sense of history without sacrificing livability.
“When you walk in and feel the warmth underfoot of restored hardwoods, you know someone has put a lot of care into it. I’m sure Mr. Roebuck would be proud of how beautifully this house has been restored,” says Sallo.
Other key features of the home, which is offered fully furnished, include an original wood-burning fireplace that remains fully functional, a brand new roof and a newly added mudroom.
Located amid Gulfport’s historic district and within walking distance of the bay, the home feels both connected to the coast and quietly removed from it all.
“The home itself is just a few blocks from the vibrant Gulfport Art District, where you can enjoy more than twenty restaurants, enjoy live music and dancing, and sip your morning coffee at one of the many charming cafes,” says Sallo.
Every Tuesday, Gulfport’s Fresh Market along Beach Drive comes alive, offering local produce and artisan products.
Almost exactly one hundred years after Alvah Roebuck built it, his Gulfport retreat remains as relevant and intriguing as the man behind it.
