One of South Venice’s more recently built communities, Venetia is an unusual combination of Mediterranean flair and exceptional scenic beauty.
When it was developed in the early 2000s, more than half of its 300 acres was set aside as nature preserves. Most of its 643 neo-Spanish residences back onto one of 12 lakes and wetlands, or offer views of large, densely forested preserves.
Its two entrances, both gated, have sparkling waterfalls and fountains. One is on U.S. 41, which also marks the northern boundary of the deed-restricted neighborhood, and the other on Jacaranda Boulevard, on the western side. The southern edge borders another neighborhood. To the east is undeveloped farm land. As a result, the area teems with wildlife and all kinds of birds.
Living up to its name, Venetia carries its Mediterranean theme through its architecture — tile roofs, stucco exteriors, columns and curved entrances and windows. Most of the homes were built by Venetian Homes and Waterford Homes, known for their open floor plans, superior quality of construction and an attention to detail usually afforded only custom-built residences.
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Streets throughout have Italian names — Bella Terra, Borghese Court and Via San Tomaso.
The community consists of four subdivisions. The largest, Venetia Neighborhood Association No. 1, consists of 375 houses. Villa Vivaci and Villa Paradiso offer 108 maintenance-free villas; and Casa DiAmici has 160 maintenance-free condos.
A master association oversees all of the landscaping, private roads and common areas, including a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, tennis courts and basketball courts. Villa Vivaci has its own private pool, as well, while Villa Paradiso and Casa DiAmici share a second pool. Fees for houses are $390 a quarter and include basic cable TV.
“That’s extremely low fees for that kind of environment,” said Charryl Youman, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Realty, who knows the community well.
Her current listing at 4440 Via del Villetti Drive is a three-bedroom, two-bath residence, 2,004 square feet under air, that was built in 2005 and is typical of the neighborhood.
Youman loves Venetia for its beauty and convenience.
“The location is wonderful. You can literally walk to Walmart, Books-a-Million and Outback,” she said. “It’s for people who like to live in the suburbs with urban resources.”
Venetia also is community oriented. The clubhouse has a busy social calendar. It hosts card games — canasta, poker and bridge — and mah jongg, and offers clubs for people interested in books, computers and movies.
Social activities include bingo, road rallies, monthly dinner outings and special holiday events.
Residents come from all over the United States, as well as foreign countries.
“It’s a mix of retirees, working professionals and families with children,” Youman said. “The condos have more seasonal residents — singles and young couples — while in the villas you’ll see more older folks that may have downsized or simplified their lifestyles.
“Venetia can appeal across every age and every need.”
Although rentals are permitted (at a minimum of three months), the area is not as popular for that as some other Venice neighborhoods. “People like to be closer to the beach,” Youman said.
That does not mean that Venetia is far from the amenities people look for when buying a home in a residential neighborhood.
Shopping and restaurants are immediately across U.S. 41, and medical facilities, the Gulf of Mexico and downtown Venice are only a 10-minute drive.
Sales in Venetia have been steady. Last year saw 35 real estate transactions, including six condo sales ranging in price from $142,100 to $170,000; three villas, from $165,000 to $200,000; and 26 houses, from $254,900 to $450,000.
Twenty-two properties are on the market — 17 houses, priced from $315,000 to $499,000; and five condos, from $149,000 to $195,000.
