When Peder Wallenberg, a Swedish businessman and boating enthusiast, sailed twice across the Atlantic Ocean in his own vessel, he also discovered the beauty of Charlotte Harbor and Sarasota Bay. He bought property in both areas and developed Placida Harbor Club near Cape Haze, and the Centre Shops and Sandhamn Place on Longboat Key.
Sandhamn Place is an enclave of nine luxury, custom-built, bayside homes along the single, eponymous road on the northern part of the barrier island. Sandhamn means “sandy harbor” in Swedish. There is a coastal resort town of the same name outside of Stockholm.
This house at 5362 Sandhamn Place on Longboat Key is listed for sale at $3.12 million through Connie Lyke of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 1998, the bay-view house has four bedrooms and five baths in 4,200 square feet, with a pool and dock. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 1-19-2016.
Wallenberg developed Sandhamn as a planned unit development in the late 1980s, but homes were not constructed until early the following decade. Owners hired their own architects and builders. As a result, the million-dollar waterfront mansions all have different architectural styles.
Richard Perlman, an attorney and Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co., has lived in Sandhamn Place since 1996. He still remembers when he bought the land four years earlier.
“Our son was doing a summer internship at Mote Marine, and my wife and I were riding our bikes and came upon it,” he says. “There were just nine pieces of dirt along the bay, and we decided that’s where we wanted to build our home.”
Perlman has no regrets about that decision. On the contrary, he loves living in Sandhamn Place. “It’s a natural treasure — peaceful, quiet, tranquil,” he enthuses. “The only noise we hear are fish jumping in the bay. American white pelicans like it here. There are dolphins in the bay, and manatees are frequent visitors to the marina.”
All the homes, including Perlman’s Arthur Rutenberg-built mansion, have a southeastern tilt, facing across the widest part of the bay and toward downtown Sarasota.
“We see the sun and moon rise, and can watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July,” says Perlman, “although they’re outdone by nature’s fireworks — spectacular lightning shows on the bay.”
He continues, “I treat Sandhamn as my own personal sanctuary. I’m quite busy as a Realtor and certified family mediator, so when I come home at night and the gates close behind me, it is like several pounds of pressure lifting off my shoulders.”
Connie Lyke Brown, also a Realtor with Michael Saunders, agrees that Sandhamn Place is special.
“It’s a gem of a neighborhood; a real surprise when you come upon it off Gulf of Mexico Drive,” she says. “Going through the gates, you feel enchanted by the canopy road and natural serenity.”
Sarasota Bay as seen through the mangroves at Sandhamn Place. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 1-19-2016.
As president of the homeowners’ association, Perlman knows plenty about the community. An annual fee of $3,800 covers upkeep of the private road, a tennis court and the community marina. Each resident owns a boat slip there, although two of the homes also have their own private docks.
“It’s deep, protected water, great for boating,” says Perlman.
He points out the convenient location and nearby amenities — beach access across Gulf of Mexico Drive; Durante Park, a 32-acre nature preserve, next door; and a number of nearby shops and eateries. The Lazy Lobster, Ciao Italia Casual, Blue Dolphin, Harry’s Continental Kitchens and Euphenia Haye are all within walking or biking distance. Publix and other stores and restaurants at Bay Isles are a five-minute drive to the south.
Residents include retirees, working professionals and business owners. Most live in Sandhamn Place all year. Many are the original owners.
As a result, homes don’t come on the market often, although there are currently two houses for sale.
This house at 5372 Sandhamn Place on Longboat Key is listed for sale at $2,998,000 through Richard Perlman of Michael Saunders & Co. Built in 1998, the bay-view house has four bedrooms and five baths in 5,124 square feet. Staff photo / Harold Bubil; 1-19-2016.
Brown’s listing at 5362 Sandhamn Place is a 4,098-square-foot. home with 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 4 garage bays. There are concrete columns and travertine marble on the outdoor patio.
“It was custom-built by the owner from Pennsylvania, who constructed libraries, hospitals and schools there,” she explains. “He built it to last a lifetime.” The asking price is $3.12 million.
Perlman has a listing, too, next door at 5372 Sandhamn Place, for $2.988 million. The 5,124-square-foot, 4-bedroom Spanish Mediterranean-style villa was designed and built by Brian Phipps of Phipps Home Design. Finished in 2000, it features a two-story entrance foyer with elevator and marble flooring.
“It is very unusual for two properties to be on the market here,” says Perlman.
