Lighthouse Point

Located on a peninsula that runs along the Longboat Key side of New Pass and within the Longboat Key Club is Lighthouse Point.

One of the most prestigious addresses on southwest Florida, Lighthouse Point is the pinnacle of exclusive neighborhoods in the Sarasota area.

Just 16 homes, each one either on the lagoon that runs along the north side of the community or directly on New Pass with a private beach. Homes in Lighthouse Point have some of the best views in the area with a sweeping vista that includes New Pass, the Gulf Of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and of course the beautiful homes on Westway Drive on Lido Key just across New Pass. For those homes that do not have a private dock, the residents maintain use of a community dock located on the lagoon which has recently been expanded for additional slips.

In terms of access to luxury amenities, Lighthouse Point is also head and shoulders above other areas. Located within the World-Renown Longboat Key Club residents of Lighthouse Point are just steps away from two acclaimed championship golf courses and twenty top-notch tennis courts that have received the "Outstanding Facility Award" from the United States Tennis Association. Many of the homes in Lighthouse Point also boast a private beach, boat dock or a few even have both.

Despite the proximity to the Longboat key Club resort, and being directly on New Pass, Lighthouse Point is extremely private. To gain entrance to this exclusive enclave one must pass through both the gate at the Longboat Key Club and another at the entrance to Lighthouse Point.

Lighthouse Point is convenient to the downtown Sarasota area and the shopping and dinning on St. Armands Circle is just a short drive over the John Ringling Parkway drawbridge that spans New Pass. Lighthouse Point is also not far from one of Sarasota's main attractions, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

The homes in Lighthouse Point are as equally stunning as the location with prices that reflect that. While there are usually not many homes for sale in Lighthouse Point when they do come up the generally price range from 9 million down to 3.5 million.

A variety of architectural styles are present in Lighthouse Point with everything from, the traditional Mediterranean Revival to a modern architectural masterpiece by renown architect Car Abbott.

The lifestyle in Lighthouse Point is perfect for those who seek access to the best of Sarasota, Lido Key and Longboat Key yet desire privacy and security.

From Shaky Beginnings to The Pinnacle of Longboat Key Waterfront

The land on which Lighthouse point currently sits has always been seen as prime real estate so much so that in the twenties it drew the attention Sarasota's most famous resident, John Ringling. In Ringling's quest to attract attention from the wealthy, in 1926 he began construction of a 200 room hotel. Ringling paid $5,000 a year for the right to title his planned hotel the Ritz-Carlton. It was not to be however, after spending nearly $650,000 on construction work on the nearly completed structure was halted. The Real estate and stock market crash of the twenties brought the project to a halt.

It's hard to imagine now but the half built hotel sat unfinished at this amazing location for nearly 40 years!

In 1959 Arvida Corporation bought the beleaguered property and had other plans for the land. Arvida demolished the old hotel, which was reportedly built so well that even after 40 years the walls were so strong the wrecking ball barely made a dent and crews had a difficult time removing the structure, however they finished the job in 1964.

After more plans from a developer fell through the property made it's way into possesion of developer Bill Boyer. Boyer, who had been involved in other well know developments on Longboat Key including Corey's Landing and Harbor Oaks, eventually sold the land for single family homes.

Today it is hard to imagine such an amazing waterfront location with palatial waterfront estates had such a tumultuous past.

If you are looking for you new home on Longboat Key contact Murray Realty.