Siesta Key Beach & Village Real Estate
While a few estate-type luxury homes in the Sarasota real estate community are found along the north beach exposure, dozens of private homes are tucked away on lush tropical avenues. Low-rise and stately condominium towers stand watch over the beach and small family-style villas and motels welcome repeat visitors year after year. Developments of neighborly cottages and duplexes line the bayfront, most with docks for year-round boating and fishing.
Undeniably the liveliest of the keys, Siesta Key real estate sports a vibrant night life with many restaurants and favorite clubs. Its spectacular wide, sugar-soft quartz sand beach is the locale for many events, including an international sand sculpture exhibition and beach volley ball competitions. The biggest attraction is the 40 acre beach itself, with soft lapping surf and many breath-taking sunsets. Each Sunday evening a crowd gathers at sunset to salute the setting sun with rhythmic drumming, chanting and dancing. The good natured crowd sometimes numbers in the hundreds. Year-round population is approximately 24,000, with 350,000 visitors coming to Key annually.
In 2011 “Dr. Beach” named Siesta Beach the Best Beach in America, something its residents had been fully aware of for decades. But back in the early 1900’s the island was not so hospitable. It was covered with dense vegetation, produced clouds of hungry mosquitoes, was inhabited by wildcats, wild boars and lots of snakes! It was called Clam Island, Little Sarasota Island or Sarasota Key.
Its rise to tourism fame began modestly in 1906 when Captain Roberts and his wife converted their boarding house to a hotel. She was an excellent cook and word of her tasty fare, particularly her clam chowder, spread quickly. Over the years, the Robert’s Inn (later named Siesta Inn) brought vacationing Hollywood elite, such as Cecil B. Demille, Bette Davis and Dorothy Lamour to the little key with the beautiful beach.
Roberts and two partners founded the Siesta Land Company and platted Siesta Village in 1907. A prominent member of the group was Harry Higel, then Mayor of Sarasota. He was instrumental in improving the infrastructure, dredging canals and marketing the Key. The Bay Hotel, the Key’s first real hotel was built in 1912. The first bridge was built in 1917 and the north bridge was built in 1927.
Nestled among the mangroves on Roberts Bay, the Siesta Key Family Retreat harmonizes the elements of gulf lifestyle.
Perched along a bustling road that leads to historic Siesta Key Village, the duplex at 505 Beach Road is a private retreat that captures expansive views of the Gulf of Mexico. Designed vertically, each unit has a private entry, garage, garden and shared swimming pool. The second level incorporates a kitchen, living room, dining room and laundry room; the third level houses the master bedroom, master bath, and additional bedroom/study; and the fourth level includes the family room and a second master bedroom/mother-in-law suite. The building is light, airy and carries its own load effortlessly.
