721 South Newport Avenue

Before moving to Hyde Park, the Bartolottas dreamed about living here on South Newport Avenue. It felt magical to them with the oak trees and exquisite homes. They had just purchased another property down the street that needed a full renovation, but when friends nearby called to tell them that this house was going up for sale, Michael and Gloria couldn’t resist. After ten minutes of being inside, Michael made an offer without having to ask Gloria if she agreed.

“We never dreamed that the inside would be as pristine as the outside,” Gloria says. “It was the perfect home for us.”

This stately residence was built in 1924 by B.F. Walker & Son (as you will see etched on the front step). It originally belonged to Harry C. Hamner, a prominent developer in Tampa, who owned it with his wife until he died in 1953. They built the house for $15K. The family then sold it to Celestino Lester Vega, a prominent cigar maker. When Mr. Vega passed away a year later, it was then sold it to John C. Eskridge in December of 1963 for $16,500. Original letters left in the home suggest that Mr. Eskridge had hoped to purchase it before the selling of it to Mr. Vega, so he must have been very pleased. Once he secured it, he took very good care of it and made multiple additions and renovations. He added the dormers to the roof in the 1970s. Neighbors say he was a memorable character.

The main features the Bartolotta family have added to the residence are the eye-popping wallpapers. The elegant floral grass cloth mural in the living room is from Osbor & Little and is called “Mythica”. The dramatic color-drenched paper for the bar, chosen by Michael, is from Adam Ellis and appropriately named “Moonlight Monkeys.” The family has playfully dubbed the den the “Monkey Den” and enjoy most of their mornings and evenings there with their Akita, Lila. Their friend and designer, Carol Swift Morris of Swift Morris Interiors, helped them find furniture to complement the artfulness of the walls.

Michael also renovated their spacious walk-in closet as a surprise for Gloria. They installed a washer and dryer in the closet as well—a must-have for them in each of their homes.