In a faraway land, nestled among the hundred-year-old pines, thousands of acres of forest, and surrounded by water on all sides, legend states its name is Isle of Pines. There lies a majestic and beautiful structure, fortified with stone and wood, modeled after medieval architecture, and named nothing else than Knightsbridge Manor.
Inspired, at the age of four, through a 1974 Fisher Price castle that took him to distant and make-believe lands, Shawn Krzanik, the eligible king to an unfound queen, resides at Knightsbridge Manor with infinite adoration for the enchanted Princess Knighten, 11-year-old daughter, avid equestrian rider, nature lover, caretaker to her five castle chickens (Vanilla Bean, Bandit, Clumsy, Chuckles and Choco) and esteemed 5th grade student at Moss Park Elementary. The castle was never about noble status or power, it was about the strength, security and opportunity to build a dream of that distant land, an enchanting Castle In The Pines.
Shawn discovered the Old Florida community of Isle of Pines by way of hikes through Split Oak Forest in the mid 1990s. The east side of Split Oak is adjacent to Moss Park, where Shawn grew up tent camping with his parents, speculating where the Indian homesteads once stood and practicing archery through the park with his razor-sharp arrows, while his father would fish and catch up with Ranger Cliff. It is there, where Moss Park looks east to Isle of Pines and Isle of Pines gazes back at Moss Park, as the sun sets over Lake Mary Jane, casting an array of watercolor in the sky, everchanging, magical and surreal.
The Community of Isle of Pines has roots in the turpentine industry where “cat-faced” pines still stand, turned hunting and fishing camp, evolving in 1959 as a lakefront community with nearly 3,000 acres of navigable freshwater and thousands of acres of hiking and equestrian trails right in its own backyard. A nature lover’s paradise, as Lake Nona built up around Moss Park, the Isle of Pines is protected while giving way to an increase in value, local jobs and amenities; it has retained its roots, bringing the community together for events such as an old fashioned 4th of July Party with fireworks over Lake Mary Jane, Christmas Party with Santa and his loyal Elf arriving on Engine #77, Father’s Day Fishing Tournament, Halloween Party, and many other events fostering fellowship, closeness and community.
Graduating from UCF (GKCO) with a degree in Finance in 2001, Shawn took a solo, seven-week expedition to Europe with a backpack and mountain bike, touring 13 countries, from Iceland to Italy and back through Amsterdam. It was on that European tour where he immersed himself in the ingrained culture and rich architectural history of castles, peppered throughout his journey, noting details of each and archiving them to later be incorporated in Knightsbridge Manor.
At the age of 33, Knightsbridge Manor was designed and built by Shawn in 2007 as owner/builder, working with each trade to precisely replicate many of the design elements of Eastern European castles, referring to sketches and photos from his journey. Skilled in woodworking from building futons in college, a creative mind, and fearless Aries optimism, Shawn crafted most of the carpentry, stonework and landscaping himself, creating an “experience” that is medieval inspired, bringing the outside-in, to ensure the transition is seamless and the feel is fluid as you approach and walk through the eight-foot solid walnut front door, cladded with iron embellishments and a working speakeasy.
Featured by News 6, as one of the top 10 unique Airbnb’s in Central Florida, Shawn opened Knightsbridge Manor in 2018 to welcome travelers from all over the world, with over 600 bookings to date. Having a love for the human connection, culture, providing acts of service, and the energy of movement within a space, Shawn has enjoyed reciprocity by providing an amazing, affordable and safe place to stay for the lone and partnered travelers, while he and Knighten benefit from touring the world through the stories of those that pass through. From actors, best-selling authors, forest dryads to Bonnie & Clyde bank robbers, and everyone in between, Knightsbridge Manor has been blessed with a positive vibration and energy that has absorbed into the walls of the structure by those who have visited, creating an everlasting aurora of tranquility, security, peace and harmony with nature.
Kings and queens interested in a private royal showing by land and water may contact DOMENIQUE G. LOMBARDO, Broker/Owner/Realtor at Royalty Real Estate Boutique. Long-time neighbor and resident of Isle of Pines for 20 years, I chose Domenique to showcase Knightsbridge Manor as she knows the history, lifestyle, community and residents of the Isle of Pines intimately. Her experience, integrity and passion for the community she lives, works and plays in shines through. Domenique’s focus is being a lifelong real estate partner by being your champion, your advisor, and treating clients as nobility. With three decades of real estate sales, Domenique is the leader in luxury real estate in the Lake Nona – Moss Park area and may be reached at 407-474-7000 and at ROYALTYREB.COM.
Info on Isle of Pines Community Events – www.facebook.com/IOPPOA
To connect with Shawn Krzanik on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/stkrzanik
Airbnb-https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/30591057?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=2ec15e8f-9c44-43fc-a8cc-242c42f6c4cfPixel Media Photography – www.pixelmediaphotography.com – 407-414-3649
Real Estate Photos Courtesy of Andrew Chetram with Pixel Media Photography
