“Kooky” is the best word I can find to describe Sunset Beach, a section of Treasure Island, Florida.
While out on a long bike ride on March 13, 2012, I went north of our St. Pete Beach bungalow and decided to ride down this road that went off Gulf Blvd. towards the Gulf, not knowing what a unique little beach town I would find.
Sunset Beach is the southernmost part of Treasure Island and somewhat of a renegade area.
First you have the controversial “Caddy’s on the Beach”, an infamous spring break beach bar for the college crowd; and from what I was told by a local, it brings all the problems of college kids having too much fun at the beach on spring break.
But as I rode down the one-mile long lone main street of this peninsula village town I came upon Volpe’s Efficiency Apartments. My jaw just dropped for I did not know what I was seeing when I first laid eyes on it.
Below are some overall photos of Volpe’s.

As I said, my jaw dropped when I came upon Volpe’s. As I walked around I’m sure I still had this stunned look on my face when a man came out of one of the apartments.
He was a man of few words, but he did tell me that, yes, these were efficiency apartments and were filled with renters, some who have lived here for years.
The owner, John Volpe, owns the entire “complex” as well as other real estate in Sunset Beach as well as other Gulf communities.
The man told me Volpe has constant offers to sell this colorful apartment complex, as well as to sell the many antiques and collectibles that as scattered everywhere.
He had no interest in selling anything. The renter told me that everyone living there likes the cluttered appearance of tools, collectibles and miscellaneous items; and, in fact, everyone places items of interest around the property.
He said they like and allow “visitors” (or gawkers like me) and often professional photographers show up with models and wedding couples for photo shoots.

(Note: You are viewing a mixture of photos. Some of these photos were taken with my G11 on my morning bike ride, but I HAD to come back that evening with my 50D during sunset light for more photos.)