Two distinctive luxury waterfront properties on Longboat Key set residential sale records in November.
A 6,052-square-foot single-family home in an exclusive boating community sold for $10 million, the highest-ever bayfront sale on Longboat Key, and a more than 6,000-square-foot Gulf-front penthouse sold for $8.2 million, becoming the highest-priced beachfront condominium sale on the barrier island.
Janet and Steve Walter of the Walter Group with Michael Saunders & Company represented the buyers in both sales – a magnificent estate at 550 Harbor Point Road in exclusive Bay Isles Harbor and a remarkable penthouse at 2161 Gulf of Mexico Drive in the enchanting En Provence community. Jenifer Schwell-Chaplin of Michael Saunders & Company represented the sellers of the penthouse and Bruce Myer of Coldwell Banker Realty represented the sellers of the bayfront home.
Janet and Steve Walter used their expertise and in-depth knowledge as 20-year-plus Longboat Key residents to facilitate the off-market purchase of the Bay Isles Harbor estate after the Dallas-based buyers were unable to find an “ultra-luxury open-water home” on the market that met their “refined requirements, including boating water, proximity to Longboat Key Club, dining, beach access and entertainment venues,” Steve Walter said. “After touring from Casey Key to Anna Maria Island (by land and sea), the Walter Group established a short list of potential properties and were able to enter a negotiation with the owners of this exquisite home to close before Thanksgiving, so the buyers could entertain friends and family for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Designed to showcase unparalleled views of Sarasota Bay, the estate is a boater’s dream with 156 feet of prime deepwater frontage. The elegantly appointed residence features striking architectural details and refined design, finishes and fixtures, including a stunning curved staircase and dramatic coffered ceilings. In addition to five bedrooms and five-and-one-half bathrooms, the home includes two offices, multiple terraces, a waterfront pool and spa, and a five-car garage. “It’s a very unique home with a lot of beautiful millwork, rich mahogany wood tones and beautiful views of the bay,” Janet Walter said.
The incomparable penthouse, perched above a lushly landscaped private seaside sanctuary featuring nearly six acres of tranquil beachfront, encompasses the entire top floor of a direct Gulf-front building. Nearly 2,000 square feet of covered and open terrace space with stately stone columns boast captivating Gulf, bay and city skyline views. Flawless architectural details and opulent features are found throughout the richly appointed home, which includes four en-suite bedrooms, a handsome study, family room with a fireplace and bar, exceptional kitchen and air-conditioned three-car garage.
Schwell-Chaplin said she sold the condominium pre-construction to the sellers in 2001 for $4.4 million. Listed for the first time, the unique residence had been on the market for about 4 ½ months when the Walter Group connected the buyers, who are from Wisconsin, with their dream home. “They loved it the way it was and were very pleased they found exactly what they wanted,” Janet Walter said.
“The previous owners were dear friends, and the penthouse passed to their three daughters, who were thrilled to know it would be cherished by the new owners as much as it was by their parents,” Schwell-Chaplin said.