Southpointe Shores is an attractive enclave of luxury waterfront homes on Little Sarasota Bay across from southern Siesta Key. It’s easy to miss, though. Like Coral Cove, its neighbor to the north, it is hidden behind strip malls and the Volvo car dealership on U.S. 41. People rush past it in their cars without the slightest idea of what they’re missing.
PHOTO GALLERY: THIS IS THE PLACE.
Located south of Stickney Point Road, Southpointe Shores was developed in the 1960s and 1970s with boating access in mind. More than half of the 112 properties in the community have canal or bay frontage. Two distinct sections have independent access points, both off Tamiami Trail.
Sandalwood Drive, with a beautifully landscaped median at the entrance, leads into the larger of the two, which reaches out into the bay like a three-fingered baseball mitt. Each of the “fingertips” are peninsulas, ideal for gorgeous, unobstructed views of the Intracoastal Waterway, also known as Little Sarasota Bay.
A single tongue along Southpointe Drive, thrusting into the bay and separated from the larger section to the north by a long canal, comprises the rest of the neighborhood. A sign at the entrance announces that it is a designated bird sanctuary. Another sign tells drivers to proceed slowly because children are present, emphasizing the family quality of the community.
As an older Sarasota neighborhood, Southpointe Shores has the appeal of lush, mature foliage throughout. There are majestic king and queen palms lining the streets, tall Norfolk pines reaching into the sky, and gnarled oak trees with Spanish moss drifting in the wind.
The inland homes close to the Tamiami Trail are mostly two- and three-bedroom Florida ranches with concrete driveways and shingle roofs. Valued in the $200,000 to $450,000 range, many of them have been renovated.
Several of the houses have vintage “Sarasota school” architecture.
Along the canals and bayfront, a number of the original houses have been replaced by luxury mansions in Mediterranean and Key West architectural styles. Paver driveways, barrel-tile roofs metal roofs abound. Prices reach the millions.
But, according to Kelly Quigley, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co., that represents a great deal. She and Linda Dickinson have listed a new, two-story, waterfront spec home at 1754 Sandalwood Drive. Designed by Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects in “coastal contemporary” style and built by Voigt Brothers Construction, it has all the current amenities of high-end living and hurricane code safety features — impact-resistant windows, block construction to the top, energy efficiency, “smart house” wiring, a salt water pool and spa, and a 30-foot boat dock. The spacious sunset deck offers amazing views of Little Sarasota Bay and Siesta Key.
“You get gorgeous sunsets about seven months of the year,” says Quigley.
With a total square footage of 5,533 and
3,924 under air, the five-bedroom residence, with three-car garage, has an asking price of $2.249 million.
“You put it in Harbor Acres or Cherokee Park, and the price tag goes up by $1 million to $1.5 million,” says Quigley. “The people who have looked at this home see the value of coming a little farther south to get this kind of quality on the water.
“At the same time, you’re only 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota and 10 minutes from the beaches.”
Southpointe Shores’ convenient location seems to attract working professionals and families with children. According to Quigley, a number of doctors and attorneys have made their homes there. They like the proximity to Pine View School and the secluded atmosphere.
Also opportune is that Westfield Sarasota Square Mall with the AMC movie theaters is just down the road. For the active-minded, the Potter Park YMCA is close by, as are golf courses in Palmer Ranch.
Homeowners’ association fees are voluntary at $150 a year.
“People who buy here end up staying here,” said Quigley. “They raise their kids and stay put as empty-nesters.”
As a result, the inventory of houses for sale is low. Over the past 12 months, only three properties have sold, ranging in price from $787,000 to $1.2 million.
Currently, four homes are on the market, from $899,999 to $2.25 million.
A waterfront mansion is in the process of being built at the western tip of Southpointe Drive by Jonas Yoder Construction Group.
