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 handsome 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 newly undergone an striking 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 huge 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 opulent 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 TV with DVD, calming seating for your group and a dining area sizable 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 striking 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, elegant 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 simple 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 gorgeously 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. Travelers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Battleship North Carolina, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Traveling with kids? Consider Children's Museum of Wilmington, or check out an event or a game at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. 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 and Tricks to get the best vacation rental experience:

How to get the best rental home value:

• Booking your vacation rental in Fall or Spring is one of our best tips for saving money on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of acceptable properties. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the high season.
• Reserve your vacation rental as early as possible. Rental schedules often become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Some hosts offer special rates for veterans and active duty military. Remember to ask your property manager if special discounts are available for your group.
• Property management companies usually offer their guests an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which generally will cost you between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed trip time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for details.
• Many rental management companies supply Carolina Beach area travel guide magazines which often include special deals, either offered independently by local companies, or through a relationship with the management company and the business itself. You can also find Carolina Beach area magazine and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Make a plan and choose your Carolina Beach vacation home:

• First, have your group decide on a vacation week and a max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your family requires. Beautiful Upstairs Suite in The Historic Firehouse At 5th Ave. & Castle St. has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is usually available on booking pages. If they are not listed, reach out to the property owner before you book the vacation home. Remember that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which typically includes pull out couches in living rooms. You'll need to determine what is suitable for your vacation.
• Looking for unique amenities? Most rental websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for the less-mobile. Confirm all required amenities are included before booking.
• Some rentals allow pets, and some don't. Allowable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added costs may apply. Ask the owner about pet restrictions before booking.

During your stay:

• Put the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Make a record of any damages to the rental during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the property manager. We especially recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are helpful if damages are assessed.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, stereo or thermostat. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents many difficulties.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You'll magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often a great source for finding the best local spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to enjoy a steak with a view, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Just before checking out, complete a walk-through to confirm you didn't forget anything. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental a final time and look for damages to contents or the property itself. We advise walking through with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager isn't available, take photos of the rental to record its condition.
• Leave a review! Hosts rely on excellent ratings to propel more bookings. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other families will appreciate that you share your feedback find their best vacation home. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.