Nicknamed the “Birthday Cake Castle,” the historic 7,074-square-foot home is the icing on a waterfront property in Lake Worth, FL.

Listed for $13.85 million, the acre property comes with 125 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. (Thankfully, it was out of the path of Hurricane Ian.)

“It was built in 1925. It’s generally very well-known in the area. It’s unique,” says listing agent John Pickett, with Brown Harris Stevens of Palm Beach. “Just because of its age and its pedigree, it is certainly not built to live like [you’re in a] museum. It’s built to be used and enjoyed.

“It’s really like an oasis. You feel like you’ve left Florida and you’ve entered a private club somewhere down the Caribbean,” he adds.

‘Balanced blend’

Published reports say the home has many names, and people started calling it the Birthday Cake Castle when a former owner gave it to his wife as a birthday present in 1954.

A whimsical stained-glass window of a birthday cake and balloons adorns the entry stairs. Over the years, the home’s features and mechanicals were updated, but its original charm remains.

“What you end up with is a very nice, evenly balanced blend,” Pickett says. “It very seamlessly blends modern amenities with old-school features.”

Five rooms are currently configured as bedrooms, but Pickett says there could be more if the next owner doesn’t want a gym, for example.

“Once you get through the gates, you’re in your own little mini estate. You’re in your own little world, your own little, self-sustaining world where you can do pretty much anything you want,” he says. “You’re not cramped, and there is a tremendous amount of character in the house.”

Tiki hut

There is plenty of room for entertaining, both inside and out. Out back, there’s a pool, lush landscaping, and walkways to the dock and waterfront.

Of course, to get the party started is a tropical Tiki hut with a full bar.

“It’s got a little beach pavilion and a huge Tiki hut, which is fitted with televisions and stereos and an outdoor kitchen,” Pickett says. “It has a really nice waterfall feature. When you can’t hear anything else, you can hear the sound of water, and it’s very soothing.”

The current owner has had the place since March 2020. The property has appreciated significantly, even without a major overhaul, from just about $2.55 million to its recent list price of $13.85 million. That’s a heck of a markup for a two-year investment.

“Part of that obviously is reflective of what’s going on down here. There’s really no supply, and waterfront has become very, very expensive,” Pickett explains. “The market has been very, very hot and continues to be very, very hot despite some pullback in other markets.”

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