Historic 1920 Cottage Relocated to Pine Avenue, Preserving Piece of Anna Maria Island History
ANNA MARIA ISLAND — A 1920 beach cottage has found a new home on Pine Avenue after being carefully relocated from Willow Avenue this week, preserving a piece of Anna Maria Island’s early history.
The century-old structure traveled nearly a mile to its new location at Sato Real Estate, where it will serve as the company’s new sales office. The move took approximately an hour and a half and required crews to temporarily remove street signs and trim tree branches to allow safe passage along the narrow island roads.
The effort to save the cottage was led by Jason Sato, co-owner of Sato Real Estate and a lifelong island resident. The home had been slated for demolition as its former owners prepared to redevelop their property, but Sato and his family stepped in after learning of its availability.
Sato said the relocation effort aligned with his family’s commitment to preserving the island’s character. The cottage fit perfectly within the required lot coverage and setback limits on Pine Avenue, making it possible to repurpose the historic home rather than see it lost.
The newly situated cottage will now stand as both a functional office space and a symbol of the island’s dedication to maintaining its heritage. Sato Real Estate plans to retain much of the structure’s original charm, ensuring it continues to reflect Anna Maria’s past while serving the needs of its present-day community.
Traffic briefly slowed during the move, drawing spectators who watched the historic structure make its slow journey through the island’s streets. Many viewed it as a moment of collective pride—a reminder of what can be achieved when residents and local businesses work together to preserve Anna Maria’s unique sense of place.
