Regulars to the Jersey Shore know all about the undeniable charm of Cape May, a beach town at the southern tip of the state beloved for its stately, colorful Victorian houses.
Today, many of those homes are bed and breakfasts. But lovers of historic architecture needn’t fear: There are stunning Victorian homes on the Cape May market. Whether you want to find a permanent residence, own a B&B, or simply ogle some stunning 19th-century homes, these houses are worth a look.
207 Congress Place, $2.8 million
This mellow-yellow home is known as the Joseph Evans Cottage and is touted as one of the few Victorians to remain as a single-family home in Cape May. It’s only been owned by two families over its long history—it dates back to 1878—and it has retained all of its original character. The seven-bedroom home also has porches on both the front and the back, with views of the ocean, which is only 100 yards away.
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132 Decatur Street, $1,495,000
The listing calls this Decatur Street home a “Cape May treasure” and it’s easy to see why. With a dark blue and red exterior, rich ornamentation, and a turret, this place is a classic example of the Victorian style Cape May is known for. It’s a three-story home with six beds, a balcony and a porch. Bonus: It comes fully furnished.
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501 Hughes Street, $3.8 million
With gold details, columns, and marble galore, this eight-bedroom home lives up to its royal name: The Empress. The most recent owners worked with architects and designers to restore the Queen Anne gem, bringing in tiles from England, antiques, and artwork to complement the home’s Victorian style (it comes fully furnished). The 4,500-square-foot house was most recently used as a bed and breakfast, complete with a reception desk downstairs if future owners are interested in returning it to its life as an inn.
815 Stockton Avenue, $1,499,000
This turquoise stunner has been sitting pretty on the market since September 2016 and has dropped about $200,000 since last year. In addition to the eight-bedroom house, the sale also includes a cottage in the backyard that has two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Oh, and most of the furniture and decor is included, too.
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664 Hughes Street, $1,795,000
Built in the late 19th century, this Hughes Street home—like others on this list—has undergone a restoration process to bring it back to its Victorian glory. Workers have hand-painted the ceiling, installed period chandeliers, and restored the marbled fireplace and sun porch. There are six bedrooms and three full baths in the home, but the number of total rooms (including sitting and dining rooms) tops off at 20.