Sarasota, situated along Florida’s Gulf Coast just south of Tampa, has emerged as one of South Florida’s highly sought-after cities for both year-round residency and vacation homes, joining the ranks of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach in experiencing surging residential real estate prices.
No longer just a casual spring break destination, Sarasota is renowned for its upscale neighborhoods, serene beaches, and expansive waterfront properties. Evidencing this trend is the recent listing of Sarasota’s most expensive home, commanding an asking price of $33.8 million. Nestled in the upscale Harbor Acres neighborhood, this bayfront property spans just under an acre of land with 144 feet of water frontage.
Barbara May, the listing agent from Michael Saunders & Company/Luxury Portfolio International, noted, “We have a strong draw for buyers from California, the Northeast, and the Midwest. While prices have plateaued a bit, our market has very low inventory with high demand.”
Completed in 2022 after two and a half years of construction, the residence showcases a distinctive British West Indies style with modern elements, emphasizing natural materials, cutting-edge technologies, and exceptional craftsmanship. Encompassing 11,275 square feet, the home comprises eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and four powder rooms, including an expansive guest wing suitable for extended family, friends, or staff.
Collaborating with Stofft Cooney Architects, Perrone Construction, interior designer Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria in Atlanta, and landscape designer Stephen Hazeltine, the sellers have brought this estate to life. Set behind gates amid meticulously landscaped gardens and lush lawns, the stucco home greets visitors with Elba White stone steps and a colonnade flanked by shallow water pools leading to the entrance.
Inside, the open floor plan features chalky white walls, soaring wood-beamed ceilings, European white oak engineered hardwood flooring, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the house in natural light. The formal living and dining room boasts a large seating area with a fireplace and a quartzite feature wall, as well as a temperature-controlled wine cellar separating the living room from the chef’s kitchen. The latter includes a La Cornue range and hood, Sub-Zero appliances, quartzite countertops, custom cabinetry, and a snack bar island for casual dining. The nearby family room provides an ideal setting for unwinding with a glass of wine, and nearly every room offers access to the back terrace.
The home’s sprawling main level also features a stylish clubroom complete with a wet bar, generous seating, and doors opening toward the water, making it ideal for relaxed gatherings. Adjacent to the clubroom is an outdoor kitchen featuring a Kalamazoo grill and a dining area. Additionally, there are guest or family bedrooms on the main floor, along with a spacious primary suite featuring two walk-in closets, a morning/midnight bar, a study, a private bay-facing terrace, and blue quartzite countertops and flooring.
The second level, spanning 3,100 square feet, comprises a secondary living room with a balcony, guest bedrooms, a bunk room for children, and a second primary suite. The residence boasts numerous state-of-the-art technologies, including a Crestron home automation system, a Triad home theater sound system in both the family room and clubroom, Lutron lighting, motorized bug screens along the porch, and an automated mosquito spraying system. It is also equipped with hurricane shutters, impact windows, and doors.
Throughout the estate, architectural ceiling details abound, with most ceilings measuring a minimum of 12 feet, and many rooms featuring vaulted ceilings with specialized tongue-and-groove wood details. An elevator services all levels, and all bedrooms boast en suite baths, with guest bedrooms designed around separate lounge areas to ensure everyone has a space to relax and unwind.
The property’s most coveted amenities are found outdoors, featuring a backyard patio paved with Elba White stone tiles, a breezy gazebo with a seating area and fireplace, a swimming pool and spa, fire features, and manicured lawns extending to the bulkheaded waterfront. Here, a dock with a high-speed boat lift and Jet Ski lifts awaits water enthusiasts. Regardless of your location inside or outside the home, picturesque bay views abound.
For those who prefer the beach, the property is a short drive from Sarasota’s soft, white-sand beaches, as well as the downtown district’s dining and shopping options.
