Holmes Beach Tree House Torn Down

Anna Maria Island Local News

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. – A large treehouse on Anna Maria Island, which was at the center of a prolonged legal battle, has finally been taken down.

Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen, the owners of the Holmes Beach tree house, have been fighting for over a decade to keep their structure standing.

“We took this to so many courts,” said Hazen. “We even tried the Supreme Court twice. But after all this time, we just got exhausted and decided it was time to move on.”

The couple built the tree house in 2010, believing they had followed proper procedure after consulting a building official, who told them no permit was required. However, in 2013, after an anonymous complaint was made to Holmes Beach officials, they were informed that the tree house was not permitted and would need to be torn down.

For years, the couple fought against the order, making appeals and attempting to reverse the decision. But this week, they made the difficult choice to dismantle the tree house and end the fight.

The Holmes Beach tree house was more than just a childhood fantasy come to life. According to Hazen, it was a peaceful retreat where they would relax, do yoga, and enjoy sunsets with an unparalleled view of the beach.

"We would hang out there and watch sunsets," Hazen said. "Lynn would do her yoga up there. It had a hammock, and we would take naps. It had a phenomenal view of the beach."

As part of the removal process, Tran and Hazen must also return the land to its original condition, leaving no trace of the treehouse. The couple is heartbroken by the outcome, knowing they’ll always look up at the spot where their dream home once stood.