Check Out the Most Expensive Home Sale in Sarasota County So Far This Year
171 Whittier Drive on Lido Key
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The highest-priced residential sale in Sarasota County so far this year is so last week. Actually, it's so last June—and it sold for $12.25 million. Last week, this year's second-highest sale—a Gulf-front Casey Key estate—closed at $12 million. Now, this one at 171 Whittier Drive on Lido Key has stolen the top spot, selling for $13.95 million in a cash deal. (For comparison's sake, the most expensive residential sale countywide ever sold last year for $17.5 million.)
The beachfront home is newly constructed.
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As with almost any area home in this price range, the key selling points were water views, a prime beach-y location, and lots of square footage. Newly constructed and finished just as the deal closed, this rectangular layer cake of a home has an ultra-modern look inside and out—plus plenty of balconies to take in the views of the Gulf.
The furniture was included in the sale.
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This five-bedroom, six-bathroom home sits on nearly half an acre that was “vacant forever,” says Charles Buky of Coldwell Banker Realty, who represented the sellers. Based in Kentucky under the name of Wilson AMI LLC, the sellers built the spec home after buying the lot in 2021 for $3.4 million.
Dining area
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The years following the pandemic have ushered in a busy luxury tier of new construction, with the downtown Sarasota condo boom and the most expensive listing the county has ever seen, listed recently for just under $34 million.
Bar area
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“I think buyers want quality new construction with a prime location. Especially in that price point, new is key,” Buky says. “They love being the first one to own the home and they’re after the newer designs and the new hurricane safety codes, too.”
Oversized main bedroom.
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Located on the Gulf in the heart of Lido Key, steps from St. Armands Circle, the water views are the star, with outdoor kitchens and loads of terrace space, plus an outdoor pool and a negative edge spa. The home's got all the latest tech, too, like Control I4 smart home automation, 34-inch ceiling speakers, a commercial-grade elevator and motorized Lutron blinds. At 5,716 square feet, the home also has a full bar sitting area with a walk-in, temperature-controlled wine room and six-car garage.
Outdoor pool and spa.
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Halasa Design led the architecture and Delaney Davis was the interior designer.
One of six bathrooms.
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The buyer was familiar with the area. She sold a Longboat Key home for $9.25 million last year and still owns homes in East County–maybe the perfect getaway during a Sarasota County hurricane evacuation.
Kitchen
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The seller was represented by Matt Huffman, Jim Ptak, Taylor Mcfadden and Charles Buky of Coldwell Banker Realty. The buyer was represented by Natasha Shevchuk of 1st Premier International Properties.
