As one of Sarasota’s first downtown neighborhoods, Laurel Park has a special charm. Dating to 1925, it has a wealth of historical apartment buildings and houses in a variety of architectural styles. You can see wonderful examples of Spanish, Mediterranean, Mission and Colonial revival, not to mention bungalows, New England cottages and a smattering of contemporary homes.
Laurel Park on Laurel Street. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER
While mostly residential, the neighborhood has some businesses and, in the early 1920s, used be home to the Sarasota County Courthouse.
Located between Orange Avenue and Washington Boulevard south of Morrill Street, Laurel Park occupies about 50 acres with more than 300 residences. On many streets, the original the original brick paving by the Burns and McAlpin Paving Company is visible.
Lush Florida greenery abounds, with mature pines and oak trees dangling Spanish moss. A small community park on Laurel Street has a gazebo. The quiet, peaceful serenity makes you forget that downtown Sarasota is just three blocks away.
A view along Laurel Street. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER
Part of what gives Laurel Park its appealing appearance is its zoning regulations. In most other neighborhoods, setbacks are at least 20 to 25 feet, but in Laurel Park, the setback is 5 feet — bringing the houses close to the sidewalks. At the same time, fencing facing the streets can be no higher than four feet, maintaining a sense of openness.
Laurel Park is designated a National Register Historic District; 270 of the buildings considered “contributing structures.” Two are individually designated National Register buildings.
The single-story, Mediterranean revival building at 539 S. Orange Ave. was built in 1925 and originally housed the offices of Sarasota’s daily newspaper, The Sarasota Herald. It is now home to the Women’s Exchange.
A view along Madison Court. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER
The other, at 1876 Oak St., is a two-story home, also in Mediterranean-revival style. Built in 1926, it was designed by architect James Baum, who created the Ringling Mansion, Ca’ d’Zan. For its first 20 years, the house was occupied by Dr. Walter Kennedy, an optometrist and prominent Sarasota business and community leader.
Laurel Part feels like a city neighborhood with an eclectic mix of residents — retirees, young professionals, lawyers, realtors, artists and families. “It’s a small area, and people stay there a long time,” says Lynn Robbins, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “They move in and love it because they can walk everywhere, including downtown to work.” She adds, “They walk their dogs, talk to one another and take care of each other.”
They have also lovingly restored many of the older buildings. The one listed by Robbins in Washington Park, a subdivision of Laurel Park close to Washington Boulevard, is a Mediterranean revival home at 527 Madison Court that dates to 1926. It started out as a one-level home, but when Terry Rowe, a local designer, lived there, he added a second story. “He had a real ability to capture the feeling of the original era, yet modernize it,” says Robbins.
A home for sale at 537 Madison Court. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER
After Rowe’s death, Walter Baldwin, an interior decorator, bought it and completely redid the inside. It is currently on the market for $675,000.
In the past couple of years, there have been an increasing number of teardowns and new homes getting built in their place, some of them commanding million-dollar price tags. There is also an empty lot on the corner of Osprey and Laurel Street that is in the process of being developed.
“People discovered Laurel Park who like to live downtown but want a new home,” says Robbins. “Many of them do a nice job blending in.”
Spanish Oaks Apartments on Oak Street. STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER
Matthew Morris, an agent with Sotheby’s Premier International Realty, agrees: “People in their 60s want to be close to things and be able to walk to the theater, Whole Foods and Selby Gardens.”
He and his wife, Maureen, represent a recently built home at 1830 Hawkins Court. The 5-bedroom house is solidly built with concrete walls all the way to the top of the second story. It has 3,000 square feet under air, a swimming pool and a two-car garage. “You can’t get this kind of single-family home for the price of $879,000 elsewhere. It’s the best deal downtown,” he says.
Over the past 12 months, there have been seven sales, ranging in price from $260,000 to $1.05 million. Currently, 5 homes on the market, from $389,000 to $1.05 million.
