Grand homes on the water are many, but those with the distinction of a boathouse are few.
Rarely do they come on the market. One of the most notable is Snook Inn, a 10,000 square foot house with an impressive boat house on the north end of Siesta Key. It sold for $10 million two years ago.
A cozy studio apartment built above a 55-foot-long covered boathouse is part of a unique Siesta Key package that also includes a four-bedroom, four-bath townhouse with infinity pool and private dock. Asking price is $2,225,000. The townhouse was built by Charles Lofino in 2003 for his private use. Lofino's recreational passion was boats and this studio apartment put him virtually on top of his favorite boats. Downstairs at the water level is an additional bathroom and covered hook-up and space for a washer and dryer. The boathouse, studio apartment and townhouse are part of Boca Siesta Bayside condominium complex. (November 12, 2015; STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER)
Another such property has come on the market, and at just a fraction of that price. Jennifer Meshad of Sarasota Coast Realty has listed 5921 Midnight Pass Road at $2,225,000. It is three structures in one package — a 50-foot-long covered boathouse, a 300-square-foot studio apartment perched above the boathouse, and, a few feet away, a luxurious, three-story townhouse on the Intercoastal Waterway with an infinity-edge swimming pool and spa, dock, private elevator and two-car garage.
Glamorous amenities including marble floors and four terraces (some enclosed) for outdoor entertaining. All of this is at Boca Siesta, a condominium complex on Siesta Key that was developed by Charles Lofino, a Dayton, Ohio, entrepreneur who made his fortune in the family grocery business and also developed Siesta Gulf View, Tivoli and Anchorage, as well as building commercial properties on the island. Lofino died in 2008 at 84 and left the three personal properties at Boca Siesta Bayside to his son, Mike Lofino, and daughter, Barbara Lofino Gigante. They are the sellers of the packaged property.
“Charles loved Siesta Key and he adored boating,” said Jennifer Meshad, whose father-in-law, John Meshad, was Lofino’s real estate lawyer when he first came to Sarasota in the 1970s. “Lofino collected big and small boats, one of them a 43-footer, and just loved being here and enjoying the water.”
He developed Boca Siesta, a 46-unit complex of midrise condominiums in 1984, and later in 2003, he built Boca Siesta Bayside, just three luxury townhouses right on the water. The two end units have been sold and now the middle one with the boathouse and studio apartment are on the market.
“I don’t think there is anything quite like this package available on the island,” Meshad said. Lofino built the boathouse for himself in the late 1980s.
While quite private and behind its own security gate, the 4,100-square-foot (including terraces) four-bedroom, four-bath townhouse is part of Boca Siesta, which means there are quarterly condominium fees (about $5,000) and restrictions, such as no dogs over 35 pounds.
Amenities in the townhouse include solid wood cabinets in the main kitchen and up-to-date stainless appliances. A smaller kitchen on the pool level is part of a large game-room complex that could also be a separate guest suite. The townhouse has two laundry rooms on different levels for maximum convenience. The bedrooms are on the upper floor and have views of the water.
Marble floors, granite kitchen counters, crown molding, central vacuum, intercom system, and luxury finishes throughout make this a place for fine living on 150-feet of waterfront.
“But, the townhouse has never been lived in,” noted Meshad. “Lofino built it for himself as a getaway and for family use, and over the past years, a few family members have been here for brief vacations, but no one has been a permanent or seasonal resident. Consequently, the place is pristine — beautiful and perfectly maintained.”
The townhouse comes unfurnished, and so does the boathouse apartment, although both have been styled for showing. The townhouse is the work of interior designer Louise Stewart. The boathouse apartment is essentially an open-concept kitchen/living space with a small separate bath. Additionally, an enclosed washer/dryer is on the boathouse level, as well as another small bath.
The owner of the townhouse and boathouse studio apartment may rent out the properties with length-of-time stipulations.
“This could be investment property for the right owner,” said Meshad. “Or it could be someone’s dream of full-time island living in Florida, especially if you love boating.”
