501harborpointroad

501 Harbor Point Road Longboat Key, Florida

501 Harbor Point Road Longboat Key, Florida

W

ithin a ten minute drive across the bay from Sarasota, Longboat Key boasts pristine, white sand beaches with a AAA FourDiamond resort featuring 2 championship golf courses (45 holes), a world class marina and the new the national award winning 20-court Tennis Gardens.

On the bay within five minutes from resorts, numerous restaurants, St. Armands Circle’s shopping, and across the street from the beautiful gulf beaches, a European-designed and detailed custom built residence awaits you. Built in one of Longboat Key’s most elegant neighborhoods, this beautifully landscaped and exclusive gated community of Bay Isles’ Harbor section provides 24 hour security as well its own private beach club with deeded access and ample parking.

The privacy of the largest corner lot facing the basin affords one a true sense of relaxed elegance in this French styled maison of more than 6,000 SF. The residence includes a two story foyer with marble floors opening into the formal living room featuring 6 French doors viewing lush gardens, citrus trees and the waterfront; a grand dining room with a dramatic 20 foot ceiling and its own balcony; a family room - overlooking the swimming pool - featuring a wet bar, exquisite cabinetry from Sweden and a working fireplace; a custom theater with 8 leather reclining seats and kitchenette; and 5 en-suite bedrooms including 5 ½ baths with marble countertops and floors. The main kitchen features a center island for the culinary enthusiast with European cabinetry and a lovely morning room

overlooking the pool and waterfront. Large covered porches extend the year around living area with an additional outdoor kitchen and expansive water views. This home allows one to enjoy oneself alone or entertaining dozens of friends and family around the pool and beautiful back yard leading to the dock and electric boatlift.

The bedrooms include an oversized master suite with a wet bar, bay window seating area, large soaking bath and an oversized private terrace; an additional bedroom upstairs includes its own patio facing Sarasota bay and overlooking the pool and basin; the third bedroom is a guest master with a bath with a private garden; the fourth bedroom and bath are being used as an office with a heavily landscaped tropical view; and lastly, a mother-in-law suite featuring its own kitchenette and bath.

The home is carefully designed with large closets and ample storage in addition to the 3-car garage. Offered at $3,900,000. For more information, contact RPLG International at 713-302-0555 or 941-914-6003.

SARASOTA

Perhaps one of the desirable places to live year around, with far more moderate temperatures than cities to the south of Florida, Sarasota was historically known to Midwesterners as they traveled down US Interstate 75 along the west coast of Florida. Sarasota is the hidden cultural gem of the southeastern United States. Money magazine recognized Sarasota as the nation’s best small city, one of the best places to retire, and one

of the cities with the best health care systems. Forbes Magazine named Sarasota as one of the best places for business.

Early residents in the 1880’s include Scotsman John Hamilton Gillespie who created the first golf course in the United States - in Sarasota. Chicago businesswoman and socialite, Bertha Honore Palmer arrived in 1910 to develop real estate and spearhead state of the art cattle and farming techniques. John and Charles Ringling, famed for their circus productions, possessed a development dream and were responsible for many beautiful buildings in the city of Sarasota as well as the development of real estate on four barrier islands that separate Sarasota Bay from the Gulf of Mexico: Longboat Key, Lido Key with St. Armand’s Circle, Bird Key and Siesta Key - internationally renowned for having the whitest sand beaches in the world.

A tremendous legacy from John Ringling’s real estate development is his world-renowned John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, built to be largest museum in the nation after the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From the onset of the museum’s opening, international artists made Sarasota their home. Today, Sarasota features its nationally acclaimed Sarasota Opera, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Film Festival, Ringling International Arts Festival, La Musica di Asolo, Florida Studio Theater, the Jazz Club of Sarasota, Key Chorale and numerous arts organizations. According to the National Endowment of the Arts, the scope of such an expansive arts community would exist in a city with a population of greater than 3 million people. The attraction of such an extensive arts community has fostered clientele who pursue excellent culinary experiences for which Sarasota has long been famous. Hence, a fabulous lifestyle without the concerns that accrue to larger populated cities!

Sarasota’s top-rated schools and motivated workforce also contribute to why Sarasota is home to some of the most successful and productive companies in the country. Higher learning institutions such as Ringling College of Art and Design, the New College and the University of South Florida make Sarasota their home. Ringling College has been named first in the nation for its degrees in animation, illustration and is named among the top 25 universities for its new film school program. New College is listed as

the 3rd best value of colleges in the U.S. by Princeton Review and has over 800 students enrolled in its liberal arts programs. It is located on Sarasota Bay and its campus utilizes the Charles Ringling Mansion and the Caples Residence. University of South Florida offers top ranking undergraduate and graduate programs to some 4500 students. Sarasota also boasts an esteemed culinary institute, Keiser College of Sarasota. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as well as the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium afford the intellectually curious ample opportunity for enjoyment and involvement.

Residents enjoy vibrant recreational activities in addition to golf and tennis. Fishing throughout the bay and Gulf of Mexico originally persuaded John Ringling’s friends to purchase properties in Sarasota. The Baltimore Orioles conduct spring training at Ed Smith Stadium, replacing the Cincinnati Reds who had long sojourned in Sarasota for their training camp. The Nathan Benderson Park is on its way to becoming an internationally acclaimed rowing venue. The Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosts nationally renowned regattas for dinghies and larger sailing vessels. Polo fields and horse farms are enjoyed during season to the east of Sarasota. Biking and running clubs are vital in Sarasota giving the city the reputation as the fountain of youth. The Fourth of July features a national speedboat racing event. This year, Sarasota becomes home to the Sarasota Thunder, who will play in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. Sarasota is also home to the Sarasota Sharks swimming team who have won numerous national championships.

Sarasota also possesses an extraordinary medical community and Sarasota Memorial Hospital is nationally ranked among the best in the nation for gynecology, gastroenterology, GI surgery, geriatrics, pulmonary, neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital is an 806–bed regional hospital with nearly 4,000 staff, 750 physicians and over 1,000 volunteers. It is the second-largest acute care public hospital in Florida and considered among the 20 largest public hospitals in the United States.

The major airport in the area is the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that holds full Port of entry status providing U.S. Customs inspections for international travelers. Five airlines offer service for locations primarily in the United States and Canada. The airport serves more than 1,300,000 passengers per year.

R PLG R e a l Pr ope rt y Luxu ry Gr ou p Luxury