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 impressive 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 roomy 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 enormous 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 chic 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 T.V. with DVD, calming seating for your group and a dining area huge 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 appreciate 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 charming 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, superb 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 simple 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 elegantly 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 cycling.

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

Strategies for getting the perfect rental home experience:

Sticking to your spending plan:

• Summer time is high season in Wilmington. To find the best rental within your budget, we highly recommend reserving in Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of large crowds at the beach and popular attractions. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Book your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many groups reserve their Summer vacation rentals during holiday get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Management companies and individual rental owners often offer renters an option to obtain trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which usually costs 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any days missed as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for specifics.
• Many property management companies supply Southport area visitor guide magazines that include coupons, either offered directly by local companies, or through a partnership between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport visitors guide and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Choosing the best vacation home in Wilmington:

• First, have your group choose date ranges and a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your family requires. Beautiful Upstairs Suite in The Historic Firehouse At 5th Ave. & Castle St. has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Southport rentals search.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is usually accessible on booking websites. If they are not listed, call the host before reserving the vacation property. Remember that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to establish what configuration is right for your trip.
• Does your group require unique amenities? Most websites include search filters for amenities. Use these to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available before booking
• Traveling with pets? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your rental agreement! Pet fees or costs may be applied to your contract.

Tips for a great stay:

• Put the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Upon check-in, note any damages to the property and immediately contact the host. Keep records of all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Property managers are available to help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful visitors bothering your peaceful home life. Apply the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and places you would have never otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can often help. Who better to ask where to order the best nachos, have a great night out, or the best spots for shopping?
• Lock your rental property while you're gone! Don't let thieves ruin your vacation.
• Re-check the rental property to confirm that you've packed all of your family's items at check-out. Make sure to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out 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.
• After your trip, leave a review! Property owners rely on great reviews to propel more bookings. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will appreciate that you share your review and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to fix it.