Babe Ruth’s Restored Home Hits Market at $1.86 Million

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The historic home of baseball legend Babe Ruth has been listed for sale at $1.86 million following extensive renovations. Located at 346 16th Ave NE, this residence also served as a home for George Gandy Sr., the visionary behind the Gandy Bridge, during their time in the Bay Area.

Ruth utilized this three-bedroom, three-bathroom property while attending Yankees spring training. Local real estate agent Sharon Kantner from Smith & Associates Real Estate noted that the home’s prior owner had listed it as dilapidated, requiring a significant intervention to restore its historical significance.

“This was ground zero,” Kantner explained, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Recognizing the importance of the home’s preservation, she contacted esteemed local preservationist Maureen Stafford. “A builder would not have kept it. A builder would have bulldozed it,” Stafford remarked, acknowledging the precarious condition of the house.

The project found Stafford just as she was preparing for retirement. “I was just finishing my swan song, and I thought, ‘I have to look at this house at least,’” she recalled. Intimately aware of the urgent need for a rescue, Stafford felt compelled to act. “Oh, this was screaming, ‘Save me.’ It was one breath from absolute death, which would have been the wrecking ball. I just couldn’t do that,” Stafford said.

For over three and a half years, Stafford has invested over $1 million into restoring the home, which she characterized as a full restoration rather than a mere renovation. “It’s a fully restored. I think there are differences. You can renovate a home, but then there’s the restoration layer, which is a completely different animal,” Kantner explained.

Kantner detailed the scope of the restoration work, stating, “Total excavation under the home with structural supports, foundation, and the walls. Other than the integrity of the outside, it was like the whole inside was rebuilt.” Stafford maintained that it was crucial to preserve the home’s authentic scale throughout the project.

Listed for sale three weeks ago, the property now boasts a blend of 1920s charm and modern conveniences. “This is not for me. This is for posterity. This is for those to come,” Stafford concluded, highlighting her dedication to the home’s legacy.