When Candace Albertson and her twin sister, Andrea, moved to Sarasota from Mount Airy, N.C., seven years ago, they were looking for an easy-care home as part of a new chapter in their lives, as Candace was recently widowed. They also wanted to be near their mother, who was living at The Meadows.
PHOTO GALLERY: See more photos of Candace Albertson's condo.
The living room at Candace Albertson's villa condominium at Glen Oaks Manor. She and her twin sister Andrea bought it seven years ago, but now it's on the market for $279,000 through Judy Nimz of Michael Saunders & Company. The home has many custom features including Brazilian cherry hardwood floors. (STAFF PHOTO / ELAINE LITHERLAND)
"In fact, it was our mother who found this courtyard villa for us in Glen Oaks Manor," said Candace Albertson. "We looked at the place online and then checked out the location and the community, which had everything we wanted and needed.
"It was private and dog-friendly, near downtown, the beaches, shopping, and it was close to our mother. So Andrea and I decided to buy it."
The sisters brought some of their antiques from the large North Carolina home. "We had a wonderful time furnishing our place and living here," Candace said. "I come from a family of five girls, and we're all nesters. We appreciate fine things."
Their Glen Oaks Manor home is on a cul de sac with a view of water. The place was significantly and glamorously upgraded by a distinguished firm of interior designers in 2005. Now this 1,800-square-foot home is on the market for $279,000, through Realtor Judy Nimz of Michael Saunders & Co., as Candace Albertson prepares for a move to South Carolina.
Candace and Andrea bought the home from two fashion/fabric designers, John Karl and Ed Newman, who had commissioned the Sarasota-based firm of Tidmore-Henry & Associates to add crown molding, Brazilian cherry floors, built-in bookcases in the bedroom and custom features that include white plantation shutters and porcelain doorknobs.
Homeowner Candace Albertson with Beans and Biscuit, 7-year old siblings. (STAFF PHOTO / ELAINE LITHERLAND)
So many other designers have homes in Glen Oaks Manor that the community is nicknamed Glitter Gulch.
"Bill Tidmore and I have owned five places in Glen Oaks Manor over the years," said Robert Henry, who lives next door to Albertson in a place he bought in 1979 when he was just out of Ringling School or Art and Design. He sold it in the early 1980s and last year bought it back and is in the process of renovating it now for himself.
"The thing about these units is that they are so efficient with space," Henry continued.
"There are no hallways and there are no load-bearing interior walls, so you can do whatever you want with them.
The space is totally flexible. Some people expand the master bedroom, as we did for Candace's place.
"I remember looking at the four or five models in 1979 and I couldn't get over how well designed they were.
I put money down on one right away. And that was in spite of the exteriors, which are so plain that some people -- including me, at first -- wouldn't even go inside to look.
But that would be a mistake, because these homes are anything but plain on the inside.
"Homeowners have done wonderfully creative things with the interior spaces," Henry said.
"In mine, I'm knocking out the wall between the master bath and laundry room to give myself a huge spa bathroom. I'll put the washer and dryer someplace else."
UPDATED KITCHEN
When the twin sisters were settled into their unit, they called Tidmore-Henry to add floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the living room and designer wallcoverings to match their traditional furniture. The kitchen was renovated and upgraded last year with black granite counters, white cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances.
Clever designer touches, such as wallpaper set in the coffered part of the ceiling in the kitchen, are distinctive. Tidmore-Henry put brick in the atrium and on the courtyard floor, which they raised to the same level as the rest of the house. There's no stepping down at the sliding door, which means the flow is better for entertaining because the courtyard is now a continuation of the inside living space.
But just as Glen Oaks Manor condominiums are constantly changing, so did Candace Albertson's life. In April, Andrea passed away, so Candace has decided to move to Charleston to be closer family.
"I probably won't own a home again," she said. "I'll rent from now on, because I don't want even minimal upkeep as a single person.
"But I have to say, it's hard for me to leave this place.
My neighbors are wonderful, and I love how private and quiet it is on my street. And my two dogs will really miss being here."
Glen Oaks Manor, at Beneva Road and 12th Street, is a Paver development built in between 1979 and 1981 on part of what was once the winter quarters for the Ringling circus. It has 195 villa condominiums in the community of winding roads, parklands and water features. About 80 percent of the residents are full time; another 10 percent are here seasonally, and 10 percent are renters.
Units have two bedrooms and two baths with a two-car garage. An interesting feature in the garage is a fixed staircase that ascends to the ample attic. Each villa has an atrium and a big screened courtyard; some have a swimming pool and others are configured like an outdoor room for entertaining.
Homeowner association fees are $200 a month. The landscaping makes up for the plain exteriors and bland color of the villa homes, and the community is on a rotating painting schedule. Candace Albertson's home was done last year. Although she is reluctant to leave, she's confident it's in ideal shape for a buyer.
