BIRD
KEY (back to top)
Surrounded
by the emerald waters of Sarasota Bay, Bird Key is an exclusive enclave
of 500 single-family homes. Once the province of Northern retirees, its
quiet streets and striking vistas of Sarasota Bay and the city skyline
have drawn some younger residents in recent years, including celebrities.
Residents of Bird Key appreciate its privacy, security, and close proximity
to world-class shopping at St. Armands Circle, lovely Lido Beach and the
dazzling downtown theater district. Developed in the 1950’s by Arvida,
the island is a boater’s paradise, with many of its homes situated directly
on the bay or on deep-water canals. Today, many of the 1950s-style homes
are being renovated or rebuilt, among them some of the biggest, most extravagant
homes in town. Bird Key also boasts its own prestigious yacht club. ($400,000
to $5,000,000)
CASEY
KEY (back to top)
One
of Florida’s most prestigious addresses is Casey Key. Its privileged residents
dwell on this narrow, eight-mile island south of Siesta Key, between the
Gulf of Mexico and Blackburn Bay. Homes here exude a unique blending of
wealth, elegance and old-Florida charm. Conservative, tasteful architecture
reigns supreme, with few exceptions. Land use is restricted to single-family
residences, many of them sprawling Gulf-to-bay estates. The key’s pristine
natural environment and wildlife are protected by legislation. With some
of the highest land values on Florida’s west coast, Casey Key affords residents
a picture perfect island lifestyle. ($800,000 to $10 million)
ST.
ARMANDS KEY (back to top)
A
world-renowned shopping and dining destination, St. Armands is also a residential
community of 225 homes. Architectural styles are eclectic, ranging from
Old-Florida to Meidterranean to contemporary. Many of the smaller or older
homes are currently being renovated or replaced with miniature mansions
and elaborate estates. An intriguing blend of past and present, this stylish
neighborhood is only a short walk from famed St. Armands Circle and Lido
Beach. It is also convenient to downtown Sarasota, the airport and theater
district. ($400,000 to $5,000,000)
LIDO
SHORES (back to top)
Nestled
just north of world-renowned St. Armands Circle, Lido Shores is surrounded
by the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and New Pass. This picturesque locale
provides the perfect backdrop for dramatic, upscale homes created by some
of Sarasota’s most talented architects and designers. The area has attracted
artists and intellectuals, as well as successful entrepreneurs. Many of
the homes on the Gulf are now being sold, remodeled or replaced, as are
some bayside homes with their views of the Sarasota skyline. Deed-restricted,
the area offers its own private beach, accessible only to homeowners of
Lido Shores. ($400,000 to $12 million)
LONGBOAT
KEY (back to top)
From
the imposing high-rises which line Gulf of Mexico Drive to its sprawling
bayside estates, Longboat Key offers residents a secure and private lifestyle.
From the moment you cross the bridge onto this island community, you’ll
marvel at its impeccably manicured fairways and lawns, upscale shopping
areas and obvious opulence. Many of the island’s condominiums are second,
third or even fourth homes for Longboat’s world-traveling residents.
COUNTRY
CLUB SHORES (back to
top)
On the
southern end of the Key, Country Club Shores offers one of the island’s
few single-family home other. With homes situated on deep sailboat
water canals, Country Club Shores is a boater’s haven. Most of the homes
in this community are single-story and designed in the old-Florida style.
Schooner, Yawl, Spinnaker, Birdie and Bogie… each of this neighborhood’s
streets has a distinctly nautical or golf-related name. ($800,000 to $6
million)
LONGBOAT
KEY CLUB (back to top)
Privacy
and luxury on 1,000 of Sarasota’s most superbly maintained acres. Bordered
by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Sarasota Bay to the east, the Longboat
Key Club is a collection of regal resort accommodations. These include
quiet residential other and charming condominium villages, along
with a variety of recreational amenities. Within the Longboat Key Club
you will discover such exceptional resorts and communities as The Resort
at Longboat Key Club, Bay Isles, Lighthouse Point, Queens Harbour and Grand
Bay.
LBK--
NORTH END (back to top)
Longboat
Key has two distinctly different personalities – the south end with its
glamorous condominiums, and the north end, site of Longboat’s original
“village”. Quaint, canal-front homes and low-rise waterfront condominiums
dot the unspoiled, friendly landscape of the north end. Unlike the grand
Avenue of the Flowers on the south end, Whitney Beach’s shopping center
offers its own unique character and charm. Gulf-front estates are priced from the $2 million range to over $8 million.
SIESTA
KEY (back to top)
Siesta
Key will captivate you the moment you step onto its powdery white sands.
From sunrise to sunset, Siesta Key’s world-famous beach displays its unsurpassed
beauty to residents and tourists every year. Venturing further inland,
you’ll discover an artist’s and writer’s colony, complete with eclectic
shops, some of the finest restaurants and sophisticated boutiques. Turn
down Siesta’s side streets and you’ll find everything from small beachfront
condominiums, villas and apartments to magnificent estates. ($400,000 to
$10 million)
SK--NORTH
END (back to top)
From the
north bridge (at Siesta Drive) up to Siesta Village, you’ll find a large
selection of expensive homes, many on the water, with views of the Gulf,
downtown and the bay. The first area of Siesta Key to be developed, the
north end is the site of many of the key’s classic homes as well as an
operating fish market. Nearly every side street is decorated with a jungle
of lush, tropical plantings and private, beautiful views of bayous and
canals. Author John D. MacDonald lived here and his bayfront house was
recently on the market. Another famous Siesta Key resident was Pulitzer-Prize-winning
writer MacKinlay Cantor. This area is also home to Sarasota’s historic
Out-of-Door Academy, now one of the region’s top private schools, with
a sprawling campus in a quiet neighborhood.
SK--MID-KEY
AND THE VILLAGE
(back
to top)
At the
heart of Siesta Key you’ll find the friendly, lively Village. Featured
here are avante-garde art shops, fashionable boutiques, beach bars, restaurants,
and some of the key’s most affordable housing. Also located in this area
is the wonderfully wide beach that earned Siesta Key the reputation for
having “The World’s Whitest Sand”. Here you’ll see hundreds of beachfront
homes, cottages and a variety of condominiums. Many of the most lavish
houses are on deep lots overlooking the bay. Mid-key other include
Sandy Hook, Siesta Isles, Riegel’s Landing and Hidden Harbour, among others.
You will also find some exceptional condominium communities including Casarina,
Excelsior, and The Gulf and Bay Club.
SK--SOUTH
END(back to top)
In the
past ten years, South Siesta has become one of Sarasota’s finest addresses, including Point of Rocks, where homes sit atop small dunes
overlooking big rock formations in the Gulf, and the Sanderling Club, one
of Sarasota’s first gated communities. Sanderling reflects wealth with
its discreet, understated homes on secluded, wooded lots and a generous
stretch of private beach. South of Sanderling, Midnight Pass Road is lined
with large bayside estates. There are also some smaller, moderately priced
homes as well as luxury condominiums close to Turtle Beach.
TRADITIONAL
MAINLAND(back to top)
Many
of Sarasota’s mainland communities have been revitalized and have emerged
as some of the city’s most sought-after addresses. Mainland other
exude the character and charm of Old Florida. Their proximity to downtown
Sarasota’s cultural offerings, shopping and restaurants makes them convenient,
delightful places to call home.
CEDAR
HOLLOW(back to top)
Off
Honore Avenue south of Fruitville Road, Cedar Hollow is a deed-restricted
community of 225 homes in three phases. Oversized lots and affordable pricing
attracted families to David McNabb when he began transforming an orange
grove into a neighborhood in 1984. Cedar Hollow residents enjoy the convenience
of nearby schools and shopping. ($100,000 to $150,000)
CENTER
GATE(back to top)
Conveniently
located Center Gate offers residents charming, ranch-style homes just south
of bustling Bee Ridge Road. Built in the early ‘80’s, Center Gate homes
are constructed of concrete block or wood. Currently, this neighborhood
is undergoing a transformation, as more young families move here, and in
the process, many homes are being updated to better suit today’s active
lifestyles. ($150,000 to $350,000)
CHEROKEE
PARK(back to top)
Developed
in the mid-1930’s, Cherokee park transcends the times with its wide, quiet
streets, gracious, traditional homes (some on waterfront lots) and tropical,
mature trees. Many of the homes in this well-established neighborhood have
been recently renovated by owners, among them professionals, executives
and retirees. Originally a citrus grove and family estate, Cherokee Park
is conveniently located just off Osprey Avenue, close to downtown and the
beach of Siesta Key. ($900,000 to $8 million)
SARASOTA
DOWNTOWN(back to top)
Sarasota’s
downtown district is exploding with new energy, from new luxury condominiums
facing the bay to renovated apartments, and a delightful blend of both
new and refurbished single-family homes. Downtown Sarasota is a vibrant
and exciting place to call home. Live theater, opera, ballet, symphony,
an eclectic collection of fine art galleries, and a wide variety of live
entertainment in restaurants and lounges are drawing both the young professional
and the mature adult to sample the flavor of this sophisticated, cosmopolitan
area.
WEST
OF THE TRAIL(back to top)
A choice
location on Sarasota’s mainland, this area is one of the city’s oldest
suburban other. It offers quiet streets lined with grand trees
and sidewalks, as well as easy access to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and
downtown. Streets here are named for flowers such as Bougainvillea, Rose
and Hibiscus, and are known as “the flower streets”. The homes reflect
traditional and Spanish styles, with many renovated to preserve the special
flavor of the neighborhood. For professionals and families who appreciate
the convenience of downtown living, the area west of the Trail is one of
the most popular places to live. ($400,000 to $900,000)
LAUREL
PARK(back to top)
One of
Sarasota’s most historic other, Laurel Park is within easy walking
distance of Main Street and downtown. Stroll the sidewalks of Laurel Park
and you’ll discover Sarasota’s past in charming Old-Florida bungalows,
Spanish-style architecture, tall Washingtonian palms and other native plantings.
You can also admire renovations of some of Sarasota’s quaintest homes,
many of which belong to artists and young professionals. An active neighborhood
association recently spearheaded the creation of a small park for picnics
and children at play. ($350,000 to $450,000)
GULF
GATE (back to top)
This tranquil,
older neighborhood features the classic Florida home – single-story, ranch-style,
concrete homes with barrel-tile roofs. Yards and homes are beautifully
maintained in Gulf Gate, while winding streets and mature trees enhance
the comfortable atmosphere. An ideal location, Gulf Gate is just minutes
from movie theaters, major shopping centers, schools, restaurants and Siesta
Key Beach. The Gulf Gate Golf Club offers both nine-and 18-hole executive
courses. ($350,000 to $450,000)
HARBOR
ACRES(back to top)
With its
beautifully landscaped streets and location along Sarasota Bay, Harbor
Acres is an astute property investment as well as a wonderful place to
live. Conveniently situated off Orange Avenue, Harbor Acres offers upscale
homes, many belonging to the city’s leading professionals, in a variety
of styles, ranging from Old-Florida to contemporary. Ideally situated between
Sarasota Memorial Hospital and downtown, this enclave of homes exudes a
timeless appeal. ($1.2 to $10 million)
LAKE
SARASOTA(back to top)
Lake Sarasota
is an affordable neighborhood, perfect for young families. Located off
Bee Ridge Road east of I-75, this well-maintained community of single-family
homes includes two sections: an older, non-deed restricted area, and a
newer deed-restricted area with homes that are 12 or fewer years old.
THE
LANDINGS(back to top)
One of
Sarasota’s most popular newer communities is The Landings, bordered by
Sarasota Bay and Phillippi Creek. This gated community is just moments
away from schools, shopping, Siesta Key Beach and Sarasota’s finest restaurants.
The Landings Racquet Club offers an active agenda, with tennis facilities,
a pool area, gym and clubhouse. Residents may also enjoy walking and biking
trails which meander throughout The Landings’ park-like setting. You can
choose from a variety of condominiums as well as single-family homes. ($600,000
to $1,500,000).
LONGWOOD
RUN (back to top)
A tranquil
country setting of trees, lakes and nature preserves provides the backdrop
for some of Sarasota’s most charming homes. With its commitment to landscape
integrity, Longwood Run builds homes that are a part of their environment,
rather than intruding on the natural setting. Residents can select from
single-family homes, townhomes, garden villas and patio homes. Located
just off University Parkway, on the Sarasota/Manatee border, Longwood Run
offers an active lifestyle and the casual comfort of country living, just
moments from Sarasota’s dynamic downtown ($200,000 to $450,000).
McCLELLAN
PARK(back to top)
Wonderfully
situated between Orange and Osprey Avenues, McClellan Park is a neighborhood
that preserves the historical charm of old Sarasota. Set in a tranquil
area of narrow, winding streets, you’ll find mostly older homes, many being
renovated by young families. In this quiet neighborhood, Sarasota’s history
continues to endure. ($500,000 to $7 million).
MUSEUM
AREA(back to top)
Like so
many of Sarasota’s other, the museum area comfortably mixes the
modern and the traditional. Homes facing Sarasota Bay include some of the
city’s most imposing, stately residences. There are also smaller, more
affordable homes along the quiet streets. Towering trees and public access
areas along the bay add to the quaint charm of this area. Patrons of the
arts and history buffs appreciate its proximity to the John and Mabel Ringling
Museum of Art, the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts and New College/USF.
Homeowners are as eclectic as the homes, ranging from retirees to artists
and writers to executives, and some of Sarasota’s oldest families. ($400,000
to $7 million).
OYSTER
BAY(back to top)
A prestigious
address, Oyster Bay is centered around the Field Club, one of Sarasota’s
oldest and most venerable private clubs. A small area of distinguished
homes situated just west of Tamiami Trail between Hansen Street and Kimlira
Lane, Oyster Bay features classic Old Florida-style homes along with executive
residences, and a few mansions as well, most of which are situated along
the bay. ($700,000 to $5,000,000).
PHILLIPPI
GARDENS(back to top)
East of
U.S. 41 in Sarasota, homes in Phillippi Gardens are a good buy among houses
on boating water. Residents enjoy pristine, deep water about ten minutes
by boat to the Intracoastal Waterway. Developer Reid Farrell, who began
designing the subdivision in 1958, curved the streets here to enhance the
neighborhood’s ambience. Farrell boasted to buyers that no two houses were
alike on the same street, giving Phillippi Gardens a character all its
own. The 600 homes here range in price depending on location. ($150,000
to $350,000).
SOUTHGATE(back
to top)
One of
Sarasota’s signature other, Southgate is a community of more than
2,000 single-family homes, some of which are situated on the banks of Phillippi
Creek. Developed in the 1950’s, Southgate is renowned for its unpretentious
ranch-style homes which feature distinctive concrete and stucco exteriors,
barrel tile roofs and well-maintained lawns. Southgate stretches from Hyde
Park Street to Bee Ridge Road and from Tamiami Trail to Beneva. ($250,000
to $600,000).
COUNTRY
CLUB COMMUNITIES
(back
to top)
Traditionally
thought of as havens for the area’s large retiree population, Sarasota’s
country clubs are redefining themselves as more and more young executives
and families are moving into these master-planned communities. They offer
a variety of home styles, including condominiums, maintenance-free villas
and single-family homes. These communities offer active, vibrant lifestyles,
with golf, tennis, swimming, fitness centers and elaborate clubhouses among
the many amenities.
BENT
TREE (back to top)
A perfect
family environment, Bent Tree is a master-planned community conveniently
situated just two miles east of I-75. Bent Tree offers a wide range of
architectural designs, while each home reflects the community’s commitment
to superior craftsmanship. With its golf course views, wide, beautifully
landscaped streets and amply-stocked lakes, Bent Tree is a wonderful place
to call home. Membership in Bent Tree Golf and Country Club is optional.
Homes from estates to condominiums are available. ($300,000 to $1,500,000).
CALUSA
LAKES (back to top)
With a
sparkling backdrop of 28 lakes and a pristine natural environment, Calusa
Lakes boasts one of the Gulf Coast’s most enviable locations. Situated
on a 460-acre heavily wooded site just south of Sarasota Square Mall, Calusa
Lakes offers a choice selection of single-family homes crafted by Sarasota’s
most renowned architects and builders. A challenging golf course affords
players a fine test of their skills from tee to green. ($200,000 to $500,000)
COUNTRY
CLUB OF SARASOTA
(back
to top)
For avid
golfers, the Country Club of Sarasota is the premier place to suit your
lifestyle. Situated off Beneva Road, single-family homes here border picturesque
fairways of the world-famous TPC Golf Course in Prestancia or delightful
lakefront views.
LAKEWOOD
RANCH(back to top)
This rapidly expanding community has taken firm roots and has become a highly valued and attractive community. The 5,500-acre, master-planned community calls itself the “new hometown”. When it is completed, Lakewood Ranch will be composed of five distinct residential villages, a town center and a corporate park. A nature park is also planned in this ideal community. ($500,000 to $4 million)
LAUREL
OAK ESTATES (back to top)
An upscale
country lifestyle is yours at Laurel Oak Estates. With a limit of 430 homes
to be built on its 813 acres, this community will insure plenty of privacy
and tranquility. Homes are surrounded by two 18-hole golf courses designed
by Gary Player, and undisturbed stands of oak and pine and natural wetlands.
Also available to residents are eight tennis courts, a junior Olympic-sized
pool and a 30,000-sq. ft. clubhouse, where activities are designed to appeal
to all age groups. Lakefront, golf course and wooded lots are available.
($800,000 to $3 million).
PALM-AIRE
COUNTRY CLUB(back to top)
One of
the area’s most distinguished country club communities, Palm-Aire is comprised
of 1,300 acres of land with residences ranging from condominiums to estate-sized
homes and wooded villa communities. Both families and retirees are attracted
to this popular community, located at University Parkway and Whitfield
Avenue in Manatee County. Palm Aire offers two championship golf courses,
14 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, an Olympic-sized pool and a 23,000 sq.
ft. clubhouse. ($200,000 to $450,000).
PALMER
RANCH(back to top)
Formerly
owned by Sarasota pioneer, Bertha Palmer, (and then by the late, legendary
businessman and Tampa Bay Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse), Palmer Ranch today
is Sarasota’s largest master-planned community. It consists of 10,000 acres
of superbly developed single-ownership land. In fast-growing South Sarasota,
just minutes from the city’s beaches, cultural, business and civic centers,
Palmer Ranch presents buyers with a wide range of lifestyle choices, from
maintenance-free villas and condominiums to sprawling estates and beautiful
single-family homes ($250,000 to $1,500,000).
DEER
CREEK (back to top)
An upscale
community of 378 custom homes and 106 villas on 285 acres in the heart
of Palmer Ranch.
HUNTINGTON
POINTE (back to top)
A community
of two-, three- and four-bedroom single-family homes, each on either a
lakefront or wooded homesite.
MARBELLA
(back
to top)
A delightful
enclave of 139 homes and zero-lot-line villas. This upscale community features
Mediterranean and traditional architecture.
SAVANNAH
AT TURTLE ROCK(back to top)
A wonderful
maintenance-free community of single-family homes with pool, tennis, nature
trails and more.
STONEYBROOK
(back
to top)
Stylized
and spacious two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, each quality-crafted
and situated on a lakefront or wooded homesite.
PRESTANCIA
(back
to top)
Home of
two championship golf courses, including the prestigious Tournament Players
Club. Owned and operated by the PGA tour, this is one of the best places
in town to see one luxurious home after another. Small other within
Prestancia include La Vista, Mara Villa, Monte Verde, The Enclave, The
Estates, The Manors and Palacio, Villa D’Este, Villa Fiore, Villa Mirada
and Villa Palmeras. ($400,000 to $2.5 million)
PELICAN
POINTE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB(back
to top)
Pelican
Pointe residents are drawn to an 18-hole championship golf course designed
by Ted McAnlis and a multi-million-dollar clubhouse. This award-winning,
gated community is located in Venice. ($400,000 to $600,000+).
RIVER
WILDERNESS(back to top)
Country
living is captured perfectly in River Wilderness, an elegant, private golf
and country club community set on a river in Manatee County. A 27,000-sq.
ft. clubhouse set amid lush landscaping welcomes residents, along with
custom homes and generous-sized homesites. ($300,000 to $600,000+).
ROSEDALE
GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB(back
to top)
Situated
in the burgeoning area just east of I-75 on State Road 70 in southern Manatee
County, Rosedale Golf and Country Club includes single-family homes, golf
course villas and lakehouses on 335 acres. With its secured entry, bubbling
fountains and graceful columns, Rosedale exudes a gracious Southern charm.
Residents enjoy 18 championship holes of golf, Har-Tru tennis courts, boating
and swimming 365 days of the year. ($300,000 to $800,000).
THE
MEADOWS(back to top)
One of
Sarasota’s most popular communities, The Meadows offers a big assortment
of single-family homes, villas and condominiums. With its wide variety
of styles and price ranges, The Meadows has established itself as a favorite
for both families and retirees. The Meadows, located just off 17th Street
near I-75, offers sports, recreational facilities, entertainment, fine
dining and shopping – all in a private resort atmosphere. Golf, tennis,
racquetball, bicycling and jogging trails, plus dozens of stocked lakes
give residents plenty of activity and entertainment all year round. ($300,000
to $600,000).
THE
OAKS(back to top)
Among
the most dramatic homes in Sarasota are those found in The Oaks. Many of
Georgian design, homes here are complemented by an idyllic setting with
statuesque trees. Situated on both the east and west sides of U.S. 41 in
Osprey, just south of Sarasota, The Oaks offers an outstanding stretch
of coastline and a ten-acre bald eagle sanctuary. Homeowners are invited
to join The Oaks Club where they may enjoy championship golf, Har-Tru tennis
courts, an oversized pool, croquet and a multi-million dollar clubhouse.
($800,000 to $10,000,000).
UNIVERSITY
PARK COUNTRY CLUB
(back
to top)
Recognized
as one of Sarasota’s premier lifestyle communities, University Park Country
Club offers an active lifestyle. You’ll find a variety of homestyle choices,
including maintenance-free, single-family homes, patio homes and custom-designed
estates. Ideal for both young families and retirees, residents here can
enjoy a championship golf course, tropical panoramas and the country club
with its busy social schedule, popular Park Grille & Café and
pro shops. ($500,000 to $4,000,000).
VENICE
GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
(back
to top)
Set amid
460 acres of lush woodlands and grasslands, the Venice Golf and Country
Club embodies the consummate country club lifestyle. With numerous nature
preserves and 55 acres of glistening lakes, the community balances natural
beauty with a variety of man-made amenities, including an 18-hole championship
golf course, a clubhouse, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, formal
and informal dining areas, Har-Tru tennis courts, exercise facilities and
more. Six enclaves of upscale, single-family homes afford residents a rare
combination of privacy and luxury. ($500,000 to $1,000,000).
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