Throughout the year, an array of cultural amenities, dining and shopping, music venues, festivals, beautiful parks, and the allure of Sarasota Bay create an marvelous urban experience. A collection of new sophisticated, architecturally designed high-rise condominiums and hotels dot the skyline thanks to a recent urban development boom driven by demand from professionals as well as retirees.

Greater Main Street boasts downtown’s largest collection of specialty boutiques and markets as a bevy of award-winning chefs serve cuisines for every taste. From Main Street to Palm Avenue you can discover chic boutiques and art galleries, antiques, fine jewelry, pampering salons, and so much more. Downtown residents and visitors alike cherish their Saturday morning jaunt to the Farmers Market for the freshest of produce and local artist’s treasures. Neighboring districts contribute to stylish options including historic Burns Court, lively Palm Avenue, art-centered Towles Court, and the revitalized Rosemary District.

From local cafes and coffee houses to European cuisine and award-winning chefs, this walkable area offers something for everyone. For those seeking a waterfront view while dining, Marina Jack offers fine dining and casual bites, and a perfect perch to watch magnificent yachts and sailboats set sail for an evening cruise.

The Sarasota Bayfront is the epicenter of downtown Sarasota living. A peaceful walk along the waterfront is a magical journey. Sailboats moored in the bay provide the perfect backdrop for the meandering waterfront path sprinkled with inspired sculptures carefully placed to add the perfect artistic touch to the incredible sunsets.

Some of the best features of downtown living are the plethora of activities. Downtown is always bustling with festivals and events, a few of the most prominent are the: Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts, the Art Shows in Towles Court, Rosemary Rising Street Festival, Sarasota Chalk Festival and one of our favorites, the Sarasota Film Festival. Renowned for its arts and cultural offerings, Sarasota is reveared as the Cultural Capital of Southwest Florida, offering live performances in theater, music, ballet and the opera. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art showcases the largest collection of Baroque art and features several international art exhibits and events each year. The historic Asolo Repertory Theatre, originally constructed near Venice, Italy, was carefully dismantled and reconstructed on the museum grounds, and hosts a variety of live performances to packed audiences. With so many options to live, work and play, Downtown Sarasota is transforming city living into a multipurpose destination.

Downtown Sarasota has the perfect blend of the peaceful waterfront lifestyle filled with manatee, osprey, pelicans and heron just steps away from the arts, restaurants, and buzz of Main Street. The real estate market in Downtown is as hot as ever, so don’t miss this opportunity to grab your slice of Downtown paradise, and enjoy this wonderfully unique lifestyle.

Downtown Districts

Burns Square
South of Main Street, Burns Square offers an interesting mix of retail shops, restaurants, salons and galleries. Historically significant, this area was developed by Owen Burns in the 1920’s.
www.burnssquaresarasota.com

Historic District
Encompassing First Street, Orange Ave, State Street, Gulfstream Ave and North Pineapple Ave, the area was recognized on the National Historic Register as of April, 2009.

Main Street
Consisting of Main Street, 1st Street, State Street and, and their surrounding areas enjoy local artisans, galleries, dining, dancing, theatre, symphony, ballet, opera, and great parks.

Palm Avenue
One of Sarasota’s most vibrant areas,  palm lined streets outline this prestigious neighborhood filled with events, shopping, and so much more.
www.palmavenue.org

Rosemary District
One of Sarasota’s oldest districts, located east of the Tamiami Trail and north of Fruitville. This area offers a unique bohemian attitude filled with music, dining, and festivals.
www.therosemarydistrict.com

Towles Court
Located between Washington Blvd and Osprey Ave, Towles Court is known for its galleries and artisans. Home to the “Third Friday Night Walk,” explore galleries offering a wide assortment of art.  www.towlescourt.com

Siesta Key’s sand proves remarkably soft and brilliantly white, with a bevy of crushed white quartz highlighting the turquoise hues of the Gulf of Mexico. Accent the image with tropical foliage and incredible weather for the ideal image of a beach escape to a tropical paradise. 

It’s the perfect locale to take advantage of Florida’s year-round weather with everything from fishing and sightseeing charters to watersports equipment rentals. Known as the “cradle of the ocean,” Siesta Key is a subtropical estuary home to more than 1,400 native plants and animals. Mangroves and reefs are abundant and fishermen can delight in the myriad of snook, tarpon and sea trout. 

In the Siesta Key Village, you’ll find unique items from talented local artisans. A fine Saturday morning farmers market, pleasantly busy retail district in the village, and a smaller version at the Siesta South shopping area offer pleasant excursions. 

Living here is nothing short of laid back. Here is a place where bathing suits are an acceptable attire for any occasion. A variety of habitats speckle the island including grand, waterfront estates, condominiums and Key West-style cottages and bungalows all varying in bright colors and hues. The historic and upscale Sanderling Club showcases rich and diverse architecture, some of the best work from the famed Sarasota School of Architecture’s Paul Rudolph. The Sanderling Club has made it its mission to not only preserve the history of its architecture, but also its Florida ecology in order to give its residents a true replication of Old Florida living.

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The charm of this luxurious island comes from its scenic environment that offers the rare combination of breathtaking beaches and cultural activities. The sumptuous landscape, year-round tranquil sea breezes, breathtaking sunsets, and casual pace contribute to the appeal for residents and visitors who want to get away. A host of amenities, including 45 holes championship golf on two courses as well as tennis, spa and fine dining await guests at Sarasota’s only Four Diamond beachfront destination at the Resort at the Longboat Key Club. This luxurious destination also has a marina, making it the perfect stop for boaters who plan day-long excursions along the coastline. 

Longboat Key is home to several eateries, from fine dining to casual al fresco cafes, along with a host of entertainment and cultural activities just minutes away. The southern part of the island is close to St. Armands Circle, the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll exploring popular high-end boutiques, resort shops and outdoor cafes. Downtown Sarasota offers cultural and arts aficionados a blend of the world’s best performing arts, including the theater, orchestra, ballet and concerts, along with a host of museums and art galleries. At the northern end of Longboat Key into Manatee County, the historic Cortez Fishing Village is a popular spot. This is the one of the last remaining working fishing villages on Florida’s west coast.

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Two of these residential towers are located downtown on Sarasota Bay and a third overlooks the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, on Lido Key. Each of the Residences offer an array of spectacular views, from the historic downtown skyline to the city marina, intracoastal waterway, lush tropical nature preserves…. and, of course, the breathtaking sunsets for which the Southwest Coast is famous.

As always, you’ll recognize and appreciate the distinctive touches that say, “Only at the Ritz!” The Residences are defined by sophisticated style with luxurious finishes, sumptuous master retreats, grand entertaining salons and gourmet kitchens. The lavish floor plans, from 1,700 square feet to over 5,000 square feet, offer a choice of one to four bedrooms, including grand penthouse suites.  Each home has its own private terrace, with sweeping views. Everyday life has a bit of magic, complete with private elevators and the impeccable service for which The Ritz-Carlton is heralded.

Owner residents are afforded the same splendid advantages that The Ritz-Carlton Hotel guests are accustomed to world-wide. In fact, relates Joan Dickinson, agent with the on-site office of Michael Saunders & Company at The Ritz Carlton, “Many of our resident-owners are international travelers who have frequented The Ritz-Carlton Hotels throughout the world. To have the unique opportunity to live in beautiful Sarasota, and also own a luxurious condominium managed by The Ritz-Carlton, is an exceptional lifestyle.”

Each of the three Residences is managed by its own professional and distinct staff. Referred to as, “the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton,” they provide all the luxurious services to resident owners, as the hotels guests receive: a resident manager, concierge, valet, and security. As an added advantage to residency, resident-owners are identified as VIP’s at all Ritz-Carlton Hotels wherever they travel.

Exclusively occupying the tenth to the eighteenth floors above the downtown hotel, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton offers 48 luxury condominiums with a separate private lobby exclusively for resident-owners. The Tower Residences at The Ritz-Carlton is physically attached to the hotel but is its own private building. The Tower enjoys distinctive amenities on the third level, including a private home theatre, two beautiful social and recreational rooms, a fully equipped fitness center and outdoor heated pool along with sauna and steam baths.

The Beach Residences on Lido Key, with eighty-eight spectacular residences, is located ten minutes from the downtown Residences and directly overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.  It is a comfortable stroll to the internationally renowned St. Armands Circle, a mecca for shopping and dining. The Beach Residences are adjacent to the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club, beautifully situated on 400 feet of Lido Key’s white sand beach. Residents have the option of Club membership, granting access to the Ritz Carlton Golf Club, an award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by legendary architect, Tom Fazio.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota offer an exquisite lifestyle in a luxurious setting where the pampering never has to end. Delightfully, you never need to check out.

Surrounded by the Gulf’s azure waters, Bird Key’s distinguishing charms continue to solidify it as one of the most coveted addresses in the area. The richness of Bird Key extends beyond its property value; it offers private, deep water boat docks with direct access to the bay, luxury estates and seaside residences nestled on the island’s edge, and spectacular views of the Ringling Bridge, Sarasota Bay, the marina, and the city’s coastal skyline.

The epicenter of the impressive enclave is the Bird Key Yacht Club, an establishment reserved for members and their guests with boating, golf, tennis and fitness programs to enjoy. Though Sarasota boasts several premier neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive charms, very few possess the splendor of Bird Key. The residential island is a prime location for real estate, boasting consistent value over the years. With a harmonious blend of young professionals and retirees living on Bird Key, it remains vibrant yet tranquil—a true, centralized paradise.

Though Bird Key is an idyllic world all its own, access to Sarasota’s thriving arts, culture and entertainment district is an added benefit. With St. Armand’s Circle and downtown Sarasota just a short drive away, Bird Key is as convenient as it is lavish. Waterside dining, electric live shows, boutique shopping and the art walk are located just minutes away. Sarasota Opera, Florida Studio Theatre, the Van Wezel, quaint coffee shops, Burns Court Cinemas, and the weekly Farmer’s Market on Main Street add to the appeal of the area. Restaurants that use locally grown ingredients are a testament to the community nature and quality of life. Downtown’s main corridor presents a European flair, quaint art galleries and open-air cafes that are classic, warm and friendly.

While the advantages of living on Bird Key are abundant, its two greatest assets are location and exclusivity. Noted as The Jewel on Sarasota Bay, Bird Key’s scenic surroundings, fine offerings and romantic views help the elegant island live up to its name.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

St. Armand’s Circle

The outdoor shopping and dining sphere is a central location for retail boutiques, specialty shops and open-air dining.
starmandscircleassoc.com 

Lido Beach

This quiet beach captures the beauty of Sarasota with miles of white sand, crystal waters and heavenly sunsets. Enjoy water sports, a food pavilion, or simple leisure by the gulf.

 Mote Marine Aquarium

This marine laboratory features more than 100 species of marine life, touch pools, 135,000-gallon shark habitat, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits.        mote.org

Sarasota’s largest master-planned community, Palmer Ranch consists of 10,000 acres of beautifully developed land. The community presents residents with a wide range of lifestyle choices, from maintenance-free villas and condominiums to beautiful single family homes. All located just minutes from the county’s renowned beaches, cultural, business and civic centers.

The Palmer Ranch area was original purchased in 1910 by the late Bertha Honore Palmer, a wealthy socialite businesswoman from Chicago.  Mrs. Palmer was one of Sarasota’s most influential founders. She invited many of her Chicago friends to visit her in her newly found paradise including John Ringling. A great supporter of the Arts, Bertha and her friends are largely responsible for the thriving arts community we enjoy today. They of course needed entertainment during their winter holidays so, they founded many of the arts organizations we still enjoy today. 

Palmer Ranch real estate includes three golf country clubs, the TPC Prestancia and the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club, and on the very edge of Palmer Ranch is The Oaks Club, the original location of Bertha Palmer’s home.  These fine golf course communities are gated neighborhoods and have a variety of homes from large estate homes to maintenance free villas to condos.  All of the neighborhoods are gated communities in Palmer Ranch with the exception of Stonebridge and The Isles on Palmer Ranch.  

The Legacy Bike Trail is a 12 mile section of old railroad track that has been taken up and paved to make a 12 foot wide bike path.  This paved bike path runs from McIntosh Road through Palmer Ranch just west of the neighborhood of Turtle Rock and continues south into Venice, FL.  Residents and visitors to Sarasota enjoy walking, rollerblading, and biking on this safe and easy to use bike trail.  Along with being a great area with many amenities the Palmer Ranch neighborhoods are about a 15-20 minute drive to the world famous Siesta Key Beach. 

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