PHOTO GALLERY: See more photos from Prestancia Manors
Prestancia, a gated golf-course community in Palmer Ranch, was named after an old Spanish word meaning “excellence.” It seems appropriate for one of the first neighborhoods developed on land once owned by Bertha Palmer, the Chicago socialite who fell in love with Sarasota upon her arrival in 1910 and established a high standard of quality in everything she did.
This house at 7890 Esperanza Circle in Prestancia Manors, Palmer Ranch, is listed for sale at $695,000 through James Piro of Crestridge Realty Group. Built in 1988 on 0.57 acres, it has three bedrooms and three and a half baths in 3,695 square feet. The house has been updated. (Staff photo / Harold Bubil)
Built in the 1980s and early 1990s, Prestancia is actually a collection of 12 separate and distinct subdivisions. One of the most appealing is Prestancia Manors, an upscale neighborhood located in the southernmost section of the community, close to the entrance gate on Sarasota Square Boulevard. It consists of a single dead-end street, Boca Pointe Drive, and three cul de sac offshoots.
Prestancia Manors’ 74 homes are situated on generously sized lots and surrounded by lush landscaping amid royal palms and live oaks. With no through traffic, there is a sense of safety, seclusion and privacy. “It’s quiet and peaceful — a nice, little utopia with ponds and lakes,” says resident Mickey Bohan, who is selling her home at 7890 Esperanza Circle.
Her Realtor, James Piro of Piro & Associates, agrees. “It’s a delightful area. You can sit back and relax,” he says. “Although the golf course is nearby, it is well hidden by mounds of grass and wooded areas.”
Prestancia Manors has many handsome homes, including this one that was built in 1992 and has been completely renovated. (Staff photo / Harold Bubil)
All of Prestancia is an Audubon-sanctioned wildlife sanctuary. “We look out for our wildlife,” says Bohan. “When we had abandoned baby ducks, we had the Venice Wildlife Center come to rescue them.”
The estate-sized homes range from 3,600 to nearly 5,000 square feet under air. They were designed by custom builders, including Arthur Rutenberg, Todd Johnston, John Cannon and Bamboo Homes, and display a variety of architectural styles, including Southern plantation, Florida contemporary and Mediterranean revival.
Bohan’s large house is an Arthur Rutenberg home whose entrance is lined on both sides by attractive brick columns. The backyard has a scenic view of one of the lakes.
“You open the front door and you think you’re in a resort” with the pool and spa, says Piro. “There is also a three-car garage, and you can stick five or six more cars in the driveway.”
He adds, “It’s a large house that needs a family.”
Prestancia Manors shares all the amenities of the entire community. There is the 35,000-square-foot clubhouse with its Mediterranean-style design and access to two golf championship golf courses — TPC Prestancia and Country Club of Sarasota. Both have hosted a number of professional tournaments with such golf luminaries as Arnold Palmer, Chi-Chi Rodriguez, Gary Player and Lee Trevino.
Residents are not required to join, but many do, or sign up for at least a social membership. Others take advantage of the reciprocal agreement with the Sarasota Sports Club, which allows Prestancia homeowners to use its tennis courts, swimming pool, spa and workout room. An attractive wooden bridge provides direct access from Prestancia.
In Prestancia Manors, residents are mostly retirees, including a number of snowbirds. There are also working professionals and business owners with families. Basketball television commentator Dick Vitale lived in the neighborhood for some time before moving to Lakewood Ranch to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
“It’s a very welcoming community,” says Piro. “A lot of people walk on the street, and they are always friendly and smiling.”
Homeowner fees are $600 a year for Prestancia Manors, $480 a quarter for Prestancia and its two 24/7 guarded entrances, and $174 annually for Palmer Ranch.
Outside amenities include the shops, Costco and movie theaters at Sarasota Square Mall — virtually within walking distance. The Tamiami Trail, with its shops and restaurants, is just down the road, and the Gulf beaches on Siesta Key are within easy driving distance.
Considering the attractiveness of Prestancia Manors, it’s a surprise that sales have been sluggish. “Our price point, from $600,000 to $1 million, seems to be the donut hole in the recovery of the real estate market,” Bohan laments. “We haven’t had a sale here since October of last year.”
Piro is optimistic, however. “I think it’s the best buy in Prestancia, because you have homes of all different sizes with some of the largest lots, and you don’t have to pay a million and a half or more to enjoy the same benefits and amenities,” he says.
Currently, four homes are on the market, priced at $639,900, $695,000, $992,500 and $1.2 million.
