The Love Shack Bradenton Beach

09/03/2023

The Love Shack survived Idalia with only minimal damage. We lost the dune and sea grass in the front yard. Thankfully the storm surge didn't make it to the house.

03/20/2022

Enjoyed another wonderful week at the Love Shack. Although we had a couple of rainy days the Love Shack and AMI are still my favorite!!!

03/19/2022

If you happen to visit the Love Shack please share some of your pictures with us in this page.

09/24/2021

09/21/2021

Last of the sunset from the Shack.

09/21/2021

Sunset at the Love Shack. Unfortunately not the best video quality.

09/06/2021

Every morning we had a visitor on the front porch. We drank our coffee and he would do push ups and sit in the sun. Our presence didn’t seem to interrupt his morning routine. We named him “Shack”.

09/06/2021

During the day the Love Shack’s UV blocking mirrored windows reflect the beach and the sun. The last 3 pictures show the nighttime view from outside. With the blinds up the inside of the Love Shack is in plain view from the yard. However the with the blinds down (next to last picture) the lights in the yard are reflected. The last picture shows the bathroom window with the privacy setting turned on. There is a person standing in the bathroom looking out of window the between the two mirrors and their shadow isn’t seen.

09/06/2021

We were blessed with a beautiful rainbow for our morning coffee. The perfect way to start each day …. Coffee on the Love Shack porch!

09/04/2021

LUXURY OCEANFRONT GETAWAY FOR COUPLES💗💗💗 BOOK TODAY!!! https://www.mikenormanrealty.com/vacation-rentals/rental/2216GULF/

09/03/2021

LUXURY OCEANFRONT ISLAND COUPLE'S GETAWAY
Virtual tour:

http://tours.srq360media.com/2216gulfdrn/?mls

09/03/2021

LUXURY OCEANFRONT ISLAND getaway just for COUPLES!!!
Visit Mike Norman Realty to learn how you can stay in THE LOVE SHACK ❤❤💖

https://www.mikenormanrealty.com/vacation-rentals/rental/2216GULF/

09/01/2021

Scarlet’s Flowers (http://scarletsflowers.com) did an amazing job decorating the Love Shack for our anniversary. If you want the Love Shack decorated for your visit just give them a call.

08/27/2021

Additional nighttime pictures.

07/20/2021

The Love Shack after dark

07/14/2021

The Love Shack landscaping is nearly completed. Next week, landscape lighting will be added.

03/27/2021

Virtual tour:

http://tours.srq360media.com/2216gulfdrn/?mls

03/27/2021

Visit Mike Norman Realty to learn more about The Love Shack.

https://www.mikenormanrealty.com/vacation-rentals/rental/2216GULF/

The Love Shack: Completely restored 1915 direct beachfront cottage. Stunning ground level, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom with exceptional views. White porcelain floors...

03/16/2021

For 10 years The Love Shack was an amazing rental. However the years were taking their toll on the structure. In 2019 we initiated a restoration project for the shack. This included a raised roof, new windows, new bathroom, new laundry. We also reinforced weakened areas in the structure. Insulation was added to all walls, floors, ceilings. I think we were still able to keep the charm of the original 1915 structure while updating it to 2021!

03/16/2021

Our first restoration in 2009. We updated all the furniture and flooring. New paint on the inside. New washer and dryer in the closet. This quickly became a favorite place on the beach!

03/16/2021

The Love Shack when we bought it in 2006. The plan was to raze the building but who wouldn’t fall in love with The Love Shack? Hopefully it will be standing in 2115!

03/16/2021

The Love Shack was originally built circa 1915 as a two room fishing cottage with no plumbing or electricity. The original structure occupied what is now the kitchen and living room. A wall divided the small structure into two very small rooms. At that time travel from the mainland to Anna Maria Island was not as easy as it is today!

The cottage and several lots next to it were purchased by a family in the early 1940’s. A bedroom and small bathroom were added to the home. Several years later a garage was added that completed the current footprint of The Love Shack.

The Love Shack has weathered many storms over the years but has stood the test of time .... unfortunately not without incurring damage along the way.

It has been a successful rental and family vacation spot since the 1940’s. Anna Maria Island has grown up around The Shack but left it unaffected ... thankfully.

In 2006 the Ibach family purchased the property with plans to raze the structure and build a new modern beach home. There was only one small problem. We fell in love with the quaintness of the shack and decided to preserve and restore one of the last remaining turn of the century beach front structures in Bradenton beach. There is nothing like climbing down 3 steps to have your toes in the sand!

In 2009 we remodeled the interior of The Love Shack. It was an excellent rental for 10 years and gave us our own little beach house. In 2019 we decided to update, protect and restore the structure. The process took almost 2 years but has just recently been completed. We have tried to keep the feeling of the original structure with all of the modern amenities. The roof was raised to open up the interior. The garage was cut down by 8 feet to allow for a paver driveway. The remainder of the garage was turned into a bathroom and laundry. The old bathroom is now a small walk-in closet (yes the shack has a closet!). The kitchen is complete with modern appliances including a dishwasher.

Hopefully you too will fall in love with our favorite place on the beach ..... The Love Shack