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 enchanting 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 magnificant 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 sizable 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 extravagant 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 enormous 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 appealingly located at the gateway to the Castle Street Art & Antique District. Appreciate 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 savor 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 gorgeous walk through the handsome 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 painless 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 attractively 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. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit The Cotton Exchange and Mayfaire Town Center. Traveling with kids? Consider Greenfield Lake Park and Gardens and Cape Fear Museum. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and ecotours.

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

Tips to get the best vacation rental experience:

Get the most from your rental home budget:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in coastal NC. To book the best vacation home within your budget, we suggest booking in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons. You'll enjoy lower rates, better selection, warm weather and the absence of giant crowds at the beach and popular Wrightsville Beach attractions. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wrightsville Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with loved ones at the beach.
• The earlier you can book, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked very early. Booking your rental property six to twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to search for and book your rental home.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager whether your group qualifies for a special rate.
• Property managers typically offer their guests an option to purchase vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which usually costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for days missed as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for details.
• Many management companies supply Wrightsville Beach area visitor guides which include special deals, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship with the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Wrightsville Beach area magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

How to pick the best vacation home:

• Choose a group leader, select your dates, and choose a maximum budget.
• Note the number beds 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 rentals search.
• Precise information regarding bedrooms and bed counts is generally available on booking websites. Otherwise, contact the property management company before booking the property. Remember that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes pull-out couches and bunk beds.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction or event? If so, use a map search to browse nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Make certain to inquire about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• Some rental properties allow pets, but others do not. Acceptable types of pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and additional fees may apply. Ask the property management company about pet restrictions before booking.

Additional considerations:

• Review check in & check out procedures before traveling. Take a printed copy, and add a note with the directions to your phone.
• Upon check-in, document any issues with the property and immediately contact the property manager. Keep records of all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a fireplace, elevator or coffee maker. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief call can prevent many difficulties.
• Respect the neighborhood. Often times, nearby homes are occupied by local residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Residents can typically point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to rent beach equipment, have a great night out, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Keep the property locked while you are gone! Don't let crooks ruin your holiday.
• Double-check the property to make sure that you've packed everything at departure. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the property a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever possible. If the property manager is not available, ensure that you take pictures of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your group have a wonderful vacation? Most rental websites make it easy for guests to provide reviews. If your property and/or property manager was terrific, they would love to hear about it. If anything was out of order and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.