837 South Dakota Avenue

Aliya Quayyum spent two years looking for the perfect home, knowing she wanted to be in Hyde Park. When she and her daughter first looked at this house, the home was exactly what they wanted, but the price made it unreachable. After searching for another year without any luck, they saw that this home still had not been sold. They couldn’t believe it. They decided to be bold and make the best offer they could, even though the residence wasn’t on the market. Surprisingly to them, the sellers accepted, and the new family was thrilled.

“It felt like home the minute we walked in the first time,” Aliya says. “It was also the only house my daughter liked.” They loved the easy flow of the rooms, and the ample space for hosting family and friends. Also, the pool was a clincher for hot Florida summers.

This historic 1918 residence has been completely renovated. But in 1922, the Tampa Tribune ran an ad by a real estate company, C.V. Dickens, to rent it out as a “furnished season proposition” for $75 for a month.

In 2019, the previous owners added the wonderful screened-in porch, built the garage, and installed the lovely pool.

Putting in the pool was very challenging because of Hyde Park ordinances. An arborist came to inspect the tree roots of the large Oak tree in the center of the yard, to deem how much of the root system could be cut out without damaging the tree. Rules regarding proximity to power lines and property lines also apply in this neighborhood. To fulfill all these requirements, the previous owners had to build it in this exact spot. They also built a floating slab for the pool deck, which is not attached to the house or another structure, to protect the magnificent tree.

Because Aliya and her partner, Michael Moehring, are empty nesters, they wanted to be close to nightlife and activity. The couple regularly enjoys meals at nearby Hyde Park Village favorites: Meat Market, On Swann, Bar Taco, and Timpano. They also hit Forbici on live music nights.

“We love living in Hyde Park for so many reasons. We were welcomed by our wonderful neighbors here and enjoy each other’s company. We gather in each other’s homes or hang out on porches with our dogs. We also take lots of walks down the beautiful streets.”