301 E Bay Street
Southport, NC 28461
$2,799,000
About the property
Your iconic Southport estate offers a rare opportunity to own one of the most distinguished homes on East Bay Street. Perched high above the Cape Fear River, your home captures sweeping water views and places you just a short stroll from Southport's waterfront, restaurants, boutiques, and marina.
Originally a summer retreat for North Carolina Governors, this contributing property to the Southport Historic District has been masterfully restored to honor its architectural heritage while incorporating the comforts and systems expected in a luxury residence. Whether envisioned as an extraordinary private home for an affluent retiree, a legacy property for multi-generational living, or a boutique inn, the flexibility and pedigree are unmatched.
Spanning 6,025 square feet across three finished levels, including a 1,645-square-foot lower level with multiple private entrances, the residence offers six bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths. This thoughtful layout is ideal for hosting extended family, accommodating live-in caregivers, or creating private guest suites. Nine fireplaces, soaring ceilings, heart pine floors, intricate moldings, and Southport's signature bow detailing reflect the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
A dramatic central rotunda creates a memorable sense of arrival and anchors gracious formal living and dining rooms designed for elegant entertaining. The fully remodeled kitchen blends timeless character with high-end appliances and refined finishes. Many bedrooms enjoy fireplaces, strong natural light, and captivating river views.
One of the home's most enchanting lifestyle features is the broad front porch, where you can watch ships pass on the Cape Fear River, walk to dinner in historic downtown Southport, and return home for sunset cocktails with cooling coastal breezes.
The beautifully landscaped grounds are framed by mature live oaks and feature irrigation, a pond with water feature, French drains, river rock accents, decorative brick parking, and new picket and privacy fencing.
Recent improvements include a full kitchen remodel, complete renovation of all bathrooms, refinished heart pine floors, updated lighting, Low-E storm windows, rebuilt side porch with metal roof, 2025 reconstructed upper balcony with new French doors, whole-house Generac generator, Rinnai tankless water heater, Halo whole-house filtration system, nine Mitsubishi mini-split systems, updated electrical service, new natural gas line, and full sewer replacement.
Known historically as The Brunswick Inn & previously operated as a successful bed and breakfast, the property offers a renewable special use permit through the City of Southport. Application information is available from the listing agent. Select furnishings are negotiable, presenting a turnkey opportunity to own a landmark residence where history, hospitality, and coastal elegance converge.
At a glance
Listing details
- Full bathrooms
- 5
- Half bathrooms
- 1
- Heated square feet
- 6,292
- Lot acres
- 0.24
- Lot dimensions
- 101x104x101x103
- Stories
- 3
- Zoning
- Sp-R-10
- HOA
- No
- Waterfront
- No
- Fireplace
- Yes
Education
Schools
- Elementary school
- Southport
- Middle school
- South Brunswick
- High school
- South Brunswick
- School district
- Brunswick County Schools
Complete report
Property features
- City
- Southport
- Sub-Type
- Single Family Residence
- County
- Brunswick
- Location Type
- Mainland
- Subdivision
- Not In Subdivision
- Secondary Subdivision
- N/A
- City Limits
- Yes
- Pre Direction
- E
- Marketing City
- Southport
- Year Built
- 1852
- # Baths - Total
- 6
- # Bedrooms
- 6
- # Rooms
- 16
- Master Bedroom Level
- Primary Living Area
- Fireplaces Total
- 9
- Waterview
- Yes
- Property Attached YN
- No
- New Construction
- No
- Sign on Property
- Yes
- Attic
- Stairs - Pull Down
- Appliances/Equip
- Built-In Microwave; Dishwasher; Disposal; Double Oven; Down Draft; Gas Cooktop; Generator; Ice Maker; Refrigerator; See Remarks
- Basement
- Exterior Entry; Finished; Full; Interior Entry
- Construction
- Concrete; Wood Frame
- Property Condition
- Updated/Remodeled
- Cooling
- Central Air; Wall/Window Unit(s)
- Dining Room Type
- Formal
- Entry Level Information
- Entry Level: 1
- Exterior Finish
- Block; Brick; Stone; Wood Siding
- Other Structures
- Storage
- Foundation
- Block; Brick/Mortar
- Exterior Features
- Garden; Irrigation System; Storm Doors
- Terms
- Cash; Conventional
- Flooring
- Tile; Wood
- Fencing
- Wood; Privacy
- Interior Features
- Basement; Blinds/Shades; Ceiling Fan(s); Entrance Foyer; Gas Log; High Ceilings; Master Downstairs; Pantry; Solid Surface; Walk-in Shower; Whole-Home Generator
- Green Bldg Features
- Tankless Water Heater
- Garage & Parking
- Total Parking Spaces: 6; Attached Garage Spaces: 0; Detached Garage Spaces: 0; Total # Garage Spaces: 0; Total Carport Spaces: 0
- Heated SqFt
- 6000 - 6499
- Heating
- Fireplace(s); Heat Pump; Zoned
- Heating System Fuel Source
- Electric
- Lot Features
- Corner Lot; Landscaped
- Laundry Features
- Hookup - Dryer; Hookup - Washer; Laundry Room
- Lot Water Features
- Second Row
- Patio and Porch Features
- Balcony; Covered; Front Porch; Patio
- Parking Features
- Concrete; Off Street; On Site; Parking Pad; Paved
- Pool Features
- None
- Roof
- Architectural Shingle; Metal
- Road Type/Frontage
- Maintained; Paved; Public (City/Cty/St)
- Levels
- 3 Story or More
- Architectural Style
- Colonial; Historic District
- Electric Provider
- Brunswick Electric
- Water Heater
- Tankless
- Utilities
- Natural Gas Connected; Sewer Connected; Water Connected
- Water Provider
- City/Town
- Sewer Provider
- City/Town
- Construction Type
- Stick Built
- View Type
- Ocean; River; Water
- Frontage Type
- None
- Tax Assessed Value
- $1,298,870
- Cobra Zone
- No
- Total City Real Estate Property Tax
- $2,850.5
- Deed Book
- 04266
- Deed Page
- 281
- Federal Flood Ins Avlbl
- Yes
- Plat Book
- 0
- PID
- 238IB014
- Tax Identifier
- 238ib014
- Plat Page
- 0
- Total Real Estate Property Taxes
- $9,788.19
- Special Assessments
- None
- Tax Year
- 2025
- Legal
- L-101.5X104
- Directions to Property
- Howe Street to Water and Bay Street. Left on E. Bay. House on left at corner of E. Bay and Atlantic Street.