When you enter the main residence, you are greeted by a dramatic entry staircase at the ground level surrounded by glass; this is located beneath a central atrium, with a partial glass floor above to bring natural light from the large skylight covering the atrium. Architect James Carpenter designed a dichroic glass prism which diffuses daylight from clerestory windows into a spectrum of colors that shift with the viewing angle to reflect subtle nuances in the center of the house during daylight. The ambience is both breath-taking and awe-inspiring.

The buildings were designed by New York architect Toshiko Mori, former head of the architecture department at Harvard University, in three phases. The property will be appreciated by the most discerning modern enthusiasts seeking something quite extraordinary.

Looking for a luxury home in Sarasota, Florida?

Contact Deborah Beacham at 941.376.2688 to find your dream home in Sarasota!

The Herald-Tribune recently reported the sale of a Longboat Key gulf front estate as the 4th home sale this year with a price tag in excess of $5 million, with 2 more $5 million plus deals lying in wait. As of April 25, 2013, there have been 90 sales in Sarasota and Manatee counties for properties listed at $1 million or higher. Ten of these have sold for $3 million plus. Of those 10, five were direct gulf front properties with 1 sale on Anna Maria; 3 on Longboat Key and one on Siesta Key.

“Snook Inn” on Bay Island – Sold for $10 million

The other 5 were full bay front sales with the highest being $10 million, known as “Snook Inn” on Bay Island, consisting of 5 parcels acquired over several years, and a Cliff Scholz designed coastal contemporary home complete with a boat house and captain’s quarters, which had been on the market for several years with a beginning list price of $19 million.

1452 Hillview Drive in Harbor Acres sold for $7 million

220 Tenacity Lane on Siesta Key – Sold for $4.25 million

Two other significant full bay front sales included one in Harbor Acres or $7 million and one on St. Armand’s for $4.25 million.

Looking for a luxury home in Sarasota, Florida?

Contact Deborah Beacham at 941.376.2688 to find your dream home in Sarasota!

US News and World Report recently published a list of the best public high schools in the nation based on standardized test scores, student/teacher ratio, and college preparedness.  I am so thrilled to share with you that out of 22,000 high schools evaluated, our very own Pine View School was nationally ranked at #6, jumping 24 spots ahead of where they were ranked last year. Pine View School is located just across from the Blackburn Point entrance to Casey Key, on the east side of U.S. 41, making it a top choice for young families who are making their way to a unique island with fewer than 400 single family homes.

However, that is not all that we have to be proud of.  Four other Sarasota County public high schools ranked in the National Top 10% as well.  Those schools are Riverview, Booker, Venice, and North Port high schools.

With all of the controversy that seems to surround the Florida educational system, Sarasota’s high schools are certainly making the grade in teaching our youth and getting them ready for college and beyond!

Looking for a luxury home in Sarasota, Florida?

Contact Deborah Beacham at 941.376.2688 to find your dream home in Sarasota!

Star Fishing Co. in the little fishing village of Cortez

When visitors think of Southwest Florida, the beaches are usually this first thing that come to mind.  However, did you know that the Sarasota-Manatee region is home to “one of the oldest, continually functioning fishing villages?”

In Manatee county, just north of Sarasota lies a 130 year old, little fishing village called Cortez.  Cortez has sometimes been referred to as an “outdoor living museum,” except there really is nothing archival about it.  The fish houses that were built by the founding families of this village are still in operation and supplying fresh seafood to local area restaurants and around the world.  Many of the residents of the vintage 1920’s bungalows are direct descendants of the of the village’s first settlers.

According to a recent article in the Herald Tribune, what started out as a humble fishing village has grown into a town of “an eclectic mix of people” and home not only to fishermen, but also to supporters of fisheries and artists.

Having a little fishing village like this is unique in its own right, but recently Cortez was entered into a contest and is now in the running to be “The Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network.  Out of 700 US and Canadian fishing towns that were nominated, as of this writing, Cortez is in 7^th place and is ranked third in the Southeast.  “The Ultimate Fishing Town” winner will receive $25,000 to fund fishing-related projects and regional winners will receive $3,500.

You can help Cortez become “The Ultimate Fishing Town” by clicking here and casting your vote.  Voting ends at 1:59 pm on Friday, May 3^rd and the winner will be announced in June.

The number of Sarasota residential sales reported for March 2013 is at the highest since August 2005 with a total of 887 sales, but the good news doesn’t end there!  The Sarasota Association of Realtors also reports that the number of pending sales for March 2013 is at its highest in 7 years at 1,221. To coincide with the increases in the number of actual and pending sales, the median sales price has increased to $210,000 for a single family home – a median price that has not been seen since August 2008.

The only numbers that saw a decrease were the number of short sales and foreclosures that are currently listed for sale, which represents 10.9% of all available residential properties compared to 17% in January 2012.  The number of distressed properties sold represents approximately 30% of all sales in March 2013, which is a drastic reduction from the 51% figure from the 4th quarter in 2010.

One other key number that has not seen an increase is the number of available residences for sale, which remains near the lowest in available inventory in a decade. However, the shortage of available properties will certainly go a long way to rejuvenating our region’s market for new residential construction.

Click here to read the full report from the Sarasota Association of Realtors

Looking for a luxury home in Sarasota, Florida?

Contact Deborah Beacham at 941.376.2688 to find your dream home in Sarasota!

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Exquisite marble flanks the Jacuzzi tub

In January, I shared with  you my new Gulf to Bay listing on fabulous Casey Key, Villa de Napoli.  This 12,900 square foot masterpiece possesses so many incredible features, you just have to see it to believe it.  Well, I am pleased to announce that one of the many impeccable features of this residence – the master bath – has earned a spot as one of the 12 finalists in Unique Homes’ “Search for the Ultimate Bath” contest! Every bit of this master suite bath exudes the “resort spa” feeling, complete with the spaciousness and beautifully appointed breccia oniciata marble, with exquisite columns  carved in a single piece.  This is certainly the ideal setting to pamper yourself.

Top to bottom breccia oniciata marble

To view this Ultimate Bath or any of the other 11 finalists, please visit Unique Homes and cast your vote.  You can vote once per day for your favorite bath and earn a chance to win a Kindle Fire.  Voting ends on Friday, April 5, 2013.

This amazing bath and all that this gulf-side estate has to offer is listed $8.9 million.

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