Back in 2017, four friends stumbled upon a 9-acre slice of paradise in Tampa, Florida, for the price of $65,000. Fast forward seven years, and they’re slapping a $14 million price tag on it. Talk about a glow-up!
The friends bought the island 7 years ago for $65K and turned it into a private party spot
This little patch of earth, affectionately dubbed Beer Can Island by those in the know, became the ultimate hangout for these friends.
According to WFLA News, they decked it out with bathrooms, a bar, thatched roofs for that tropical vibe, and even an inflatable slide because why not?
Pine Key, as the formal folks call it, was the go-to spot for anything from wild parties to weddings to “let’s just chill on an island because we can” gatherings.
They hope to flip the island for a massive profit
Now they’re aiming to trade it for a cool $14 million.
“This opportunity is exceedingly rare, as Pine Key is one of the few privately owned islands in Tampa Bay,” said Cole Weaver, the majority owner of Pine Key.
He thanks the community for their support, but notes that it’s time to cash in on their island investment.
“We’re grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from the community and our members over the years, but all good things must come to an end at some point, and for us, that time is now.”
Local officials aren’t the biggest fans of Beer Can Island
Despite local officials giving them grief over their unzoned slice of party paradise, the owners believe that with the right vision and a buddy-buddy relationship with Hillsborough County, the sky’s the limit for potential developers.
“With the right vision and willingness to collaborate with Hillsborough County, opportunities for development could be explored and expanded upon,” they stated in a news release.
Local officials are concerned about how difficult it would be for emergency services to respond to a call on the island.
The owners call the property a “unique investment opportunity”
As the friends prepare to bid adieu to their island shenanigans, they’re pitching Pine Key as the ultimate buy for corporations or international investors looking for a one-of-a-kind retreat.
Sure, it’s been the backdrop for countless memories and maybe a few questionable decisions, but now it’s marketed as a “unique investment opportunity” for elites – fancy speak for “this could be your very own VIP island party central.”
As Beer Can Island closes its doors to the public and its partying past, the future awaits a new chapter. Will it be a corporate retreat? A billionaire’s bunker? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: those four friends sure know how to turn a wild idea into a wilder profit.
The internet reacted to the steep price tag and shared fond memories of the island
