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Sarasota offers an energy that is quite the envy of small cities in Florida. It is bordered by the Sarasota Bay and the views are incredible. The close proximity to cosmopolitan amenities make the downtown a great place to live and work. There are excellent restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, theaters and shops along with beautiful Selby gardens and a fabulous bayfront park.
Downtown Condominiums:
Beginning in the 1970's with mid rise buildings along
Gulf Stream Avenue to today's super deluxe condos of the Ritz-Carlton and other
high end complexes. More than 1,000 units have been constructed in the past 6
years plus there are plans for 20 new projects that will triple the existing
numbers. Prices have been rising from the affordable 100,000 for the older, smaller
buildings to over 5 and 6 million to the high end.
People who have lived on the barrier islands are being drawn to the Downtown
in addition to baby boomers and young professionals who desire the vibrant energy
of being downtown.
Single Family Downtown:
The is a renaissance in the past few years of reviving the older homes in the downtown area. Young professional families and baby boomers have been buying up Laurel Park, Towles Court and the 1920's Mediterranean Revival cottages are being transformed. There have also been people tearing down the old homes and building new homes ranging from $450 - 600,000. Towles Court has been transformed into an artists' colony featuring galleries, coffeehouses, and quaint shops.
Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores are two of the oldest bayfront neighborhoods, just north of Downtown. This area is in close distance to the John and Mable Ringling Museum and the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, which is the home of the Asolo Theatre Company and the Sarasota Ballet. New College of Florida a branch of USF is also there. The neighborhoods are characterized by a mixture of renovated estates and modest bungalows. Along the waterfront, some high priced homes are over $13 and $20 million but they go as low as 200,000 for non waterfront.
This mixture of architectural styles, mature landscaping and convenience
has been a favorite location of young professionals, baby boomers and empty nesters.
The median prices in this around are 70% higher than the rest of Sarasota County!
Harbor Acres and Paradise Shores....The modest homes from the 50's and 60's
have been transformed to large bayfront homes. Grand multi-million-dollar homes
are being built daily. It is a very convenient location for physicians who wish
to be near the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. There are modest homes to be found
in the 500-700,000 range, however, most homes are well over a million to 4 and
5 million for private waterfront villas.
Paradise Shores were built in 1953 are very desirable, and they do not turn over
that rapidly. People tend to buy and stay there.
Southside Village: Behind Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Osprey, Southside Village is a fabulous shopping and dining location. Popular gourmet shops and boutiques line the streets. It's quite the see and be seen scene in the evenings. The streets surrounding Southside Village are mixture of 50's style ranches and bungalows. Many are being remodeled or torn down and properties sell for about %20% less than the West of Trail areas of Harbor Acres and Paradise Shores. McClennen Park offers a mixture of home styles, mature trees and most of the homes were built between the 20's and 50's. Prices can be modest to over a million that have been remodeled.
Cherokee Park and the Cherokee Lodge are highly desirable addresses. Larger
homes and lots, treed boulevards and a wonderful neighborhood school add to the
charm. Homes can sell in the 400's to $800's but many are now in the millions.
St. Armands and Lido Shores and Lido Key
The famous circus owner, John Ringling, originally platted this area, characterized
by quaint shops and a mix of architectural style buildings revolving around the
famous St. Armands Circle on Lido Key. There are older canal properties in the
quiet residential areas starting at 1 million for the land value alone. There
are many beachfront and bayfront complexes including the Lido Key Club and the
luxurious Ritz-Carlton condo. Nearby Lido Shores boasted a sale last fall of
over $16 million for a Gulf-front single family palace.
Bird Key:
Bird Key is located between the Mainland and St. Armands Circle.
There are 506 residences and half of them are canal and bay front with City views.
The key was originally owned by John Ringling and was Arvida's first large development
in Sarasota in the early 1960's. The Bird Key Yacht Club is the hub of the social
life there.
With the building of the new Ringling Causeway Bridge last summer, values on
Bird Key have skyrocketed, going up at least 10%. There are homes priced $500,000
and up for non-waterfront to way into the millions for waterfront.
Siesta Key:
Siesta Key is the area's most family-oriented of the barrier islands. Home
of the "world's whitest sand" Siesta is a popular beach destination. There
are shops and eateries in the Village and fabulous sunset walks along the beach.
Residential choices range from multimillion-dollar waterfront mansions to high
rise, mid-rise and cottages. Many homes have been purchased and "torn down" to
build new, beautiful mansions behind walled gardens. You can find a modest home
in the $300's off the water to over 6 and 7 million for Gulf front homes. Condo
range in the high 180's for older units to over 3 and 4 million for luxurious
new condos and homes.
Casey Key:
There is a quiet, residential community in south Sarasota County
tucked behind walls and gardens. Many homes have been remodeled and torn down
to build family compounds for the rich and private. There are just 380 homes
on Casey Key, which is a long and narrow stretch from the Gulf to the Bay. It
feels like a lush tropical retreat on the 8 mile island. People choose Casey
Key because it is primarily zoned residential and they want it quiet. Small non-water
homes range fro 800,000 to over 6 and 7 million.
Longboat Key :
This is a 12 mile world of its own. From Luxurious beach or bay front
condominiums, to wooden bungalows and everything in-between. The Longboat Key
Club on the south end, closest to St. Armands features high and low rise buildings,
vacation rental and beautiful homes along the waterways. This is a world-class
resort with golf courses, tennis clubs, lovely boutiques, restaurants and a destination
for the rich and famous, this is definitely worth exploring for the newcomer
wishing a tropical paradise within a gated community.
The main drive the Gulf of Mexico Drive is lined with hot pink oleanders and
banyan trees. Ride your bike or jog along the trails that are great for the locals
as well as the visitors on Long Boat.
Longboat is also the home for many "seasonal" residents for many of
the nation's top retired executives. These residents are known for their active
and charitable contributions to the arts and cultural activities in Sarasota.
A few years ago, Money Magazine mentioned that this is one of America's wealthiest
zip codes and the real estate values reflect this status.
Prices in the Multiple Listing Service range from $200,000 for condominiums in
a low to mid rise complex that were most likely built in the 1970's to new beachfront
homes and condo from $1.0 to over $6.0 million.
In addition to the older retirees, there is an influx of Baby boomers who are
retiring early, a strong European culture who are attracted to Longboat because
of the rich cultural atmosphere.
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© Robin DiSabatino, Broker-Associate • Michael Saunders & Company
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1801 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236