Beautiful Upstairs Suite in The Historic Firehouse At 5th Ave. & Castle St. - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 2 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathrooms
• Apartment
• Approximately 1709 square feet

This one of a kind property is really the way to experience historic Wilmington. Note: this is a second story unit without an elevator; the unit is not handicapped accessible; you must be able to climb stairs to access the unit.

In April 1915, Engine Company 2 began operation at 5th and Castle Streets. Their new station housed six men, two horses, and a two-horse hose wagon. Designed by local architect James F. Gause, Jr., the Italianate structure also housed a bell relocated from the corner of 4th and Dock Streets. The bell sounded alarms until the last fire horse was retired in 1918. In 1956, Engine 2 relocated to the new Headquarters Station on Dock Street. Downstairs is our charming Station No. 2 venue. No events are held while you are staying upstairs in the Firehouse Suite.

Once the bunk home to the firemen, this cavernous second floor apartment with open floor plan, has freshly undergone an amazing remodel. The gracious apartment is 1709 square feet of light & luxury. Decorated by an acclaimed designer, with understated historic detail throughout, this unique and very huge space combines comfort and privacy with a refreshingly hip style.

The unit offers 14 foot ceilings, wood floors, exposed brick walls, concrete counter-tops, stainless steel appliances along with handsome furnishings and finishes. Original art work hangs in every room, including most pieces by renown local artists.

This is a pet-friendly building. (Those with severe allergies should consider a different rental.) We ask that family pets are kept off of the furnishings. There is a pet fee.

The living room offers quality and luxury including a sizable flat screen TV with DVD, calming seating for your group and a dining area enormous enough to seat 10 comfortably. Reading nook in the tower and an office set up for those who still have to get work done.

The Firehouse is charmingly located at the gateway to the Castle Street Art & Antique District. Savor the Saturday Peddlers Market while perusing unique antique stores, vintage clothiers, retro furnishings, wine stores, art galleries and eateries.

Only a few blocks further you can savor the activity and excitement of historic downtown Wilmington after a peaceful nighttime’s sleep in the historic Castle Street Firehouse located 5 blocks from the waterfront. You can take a pretty walk through the handsome historic homes or jump on the District Trolley which will pick you up at the corner or 5th and Castle. The location is convenient to everything downtown Wilmington has to offer: Thalian Hall, The Brooklyn Arts Center, casual to fine dining, hip coffee homes, art galleries, magnificant county library, horse drawn carriage rides, Stores of Old Wilmington or the Cotton Exchange, historic tours, Screen Gems Studio tours, Ghosts of Wilmington Tour, haunted pub crawls, Wilmington’s Farmer’s Market (April – December), the Azalea Festival (April), Riverfest (October) and the NC Battleship. PPD, Cape Fear Community College and the new convention center are within painless walking distance. You can experience the nighttime life, then walk a couple of blocks back to the apartment and spend a safe and peaceful evening in your charmingly furnished unit. If you have a car, there is an abundance of complimentary on-street parking . No need to pay for parking.

About the Area

Located in Wilmington, this apartment is in the city center. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Traveling with kids? Consider Children's Museum of Wilmington, or check out an event or a game at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and ecotours.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Know Before you Go

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Pet Policy

2 total pets

Finding the best vacation property experience:

Sticking to your spending plan:

• Summertime is high season in Wilmington. To find the best value, consider shifting your family's Southport vacation to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and October offer warm weather, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner whether your group qualifies for a special rate.
• Property managers usually offer guests an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which generally will cost you anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for specifics.
• Many rental management companies supply Southport area visitor guides which often include special deals, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a relationship with the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Selecting and booking your prefect Southport rental home:

• Select vacation week and spending budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your group needs. Beautiful Upstairs Suite in The Historic Firehouse At 5th Ave. & Castle St. has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is usually available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, email the property owner before reserving the rental. Remember that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks.
• If there's a specific Southport destination you simply love, browse properties that are either nearby, or those that cater to your requirements.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all necessary amenities are available before booking.
• If your family is traveling with pets, search for a pet-friendly vacation rental. Get information on breed, size, and type requirements. Often, property owners charge additional pet fees.

Additional considerations:

• Take a copy of the owner's phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental property. We recommend storing the manager's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• To make certain damages are not linked to your family's visit, inspect for any problem areas during arrival. Get in touch with the host immediately to relay any damages. If there is a dispute, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be helpful.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, stereo or appliance. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents many problems.
• Respect your neighbors. Frequently, adjacent homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking regulations is the right thing to do.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Residents can often help. Who better to ask where to find the best bike paths, have a great night out, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking the rental when you are away, just like you would at home.
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, take a walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all belongings. Remember to check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Did you have a great vacation? Most rental management companies make it easy for vacationers to provide feedback. If your property and/or property management company was terrific, they would love to hear it. If anything was imperfect and they failed to address it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.