After a whirlwind few years, local real estate prices finally experienced a cooldown in 2024. Add in an unprecedented blow from back-to-back hurricanes and you’d think we’d see a crash. 

Not so. In the world of uber-luxury real estate, people’s pads actually got pricier in 2024.  In fact, 2023's top three sales—which spanned $12 million to $13.95 million—would rank near the bottom of this year's list. 

Then there were condo sales. Overall, local condo inventory grew and prices dropped as residents grappled with new legislation that increased owner's fees to address more stringent maintenance rules following the Champlain Tower collapse in Surfside, Florida. But on Longboat Key, these brand new St. Regis units bucked all that and then some. The massive new resort project ushered in new price margins, but also told a story as old as time in the real estate world: brand-new waterfront locations rule. Sales at the St. Regis hogged almost half of this year’s top 10 list. Last year's list featured just one condo sale.

Regardless of soaring price tags, what remains the same about our top 10 priciest sales of homes in 2024 are waterfront locations, oodles of square footage and picture-perfect views. What's newer: a rise in new construction, with a new generation of mansions making the cut.

Let's take a look at what buyers shelled out to buy in 2024.

No. 10: $12.8 Million

1325 Westway Drive, Sarasota

Previously listed at $15 million, this home was owned by David Hargreaves and his wife, Linda, who purchased the lot in 2010 for $2.2 million and replaced a modest ranch-style home with a 6,590-square-foot architectural masterpiece. Designed by Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects and built by Voigt Brothers Construction, the home reflects elements of the Sarasota School of Architecture, including clerestory windows, simple lines and extensive use of glass. A retired Hasbro executive, Hargreaves spent 35 years with the company in roles including CFO and COO, helping oversee iconic brands like Play-Doh and Transformers. After moving to Sarasota, he co-founded Seaward Development, which spearheaded notable local projects like the Park Residences of Lido Key. The property, situated across from the historic Umbrella House, has been featured in Sarasota MOD Weekend tours. It includes a guesthouse, rooftop putting green, deepwater dock, and a courtyard with a pool, summer kitchen and fire bowls. 

The new owners, Matthew and Desiree DeSoto, were drawn to the home’s contemporary design and private beach access. Matthew, CEO of Miter Brands, recently led the company’s $3.1 billion acquisition of Venice’s PGT Innovations. 

No. 9: $12,995,000

 1561 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 401, Longboat Key (Sarasota County)

The St. Regis Residences were completed this year, and it’s no surprise they attracted high-wealth buyers. Unit 401 was purchased by Cayo Lancha LLC, a company linked to L. Neil Hunn and his wife, Jennifer Ashley Hunn. Neil Hunn is listed among Florida’s top 50 highest-paid CEOs, with a reported net worth of $18.5 million back in 2019. He's served as president and CEO of Sarasota-based Roper Technologies since August 2018. 

No: 8: $13 Million

1561 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 204, Longboat Key (Sarasota County)

This St. Regis unit was purchased by Jason and Rachel Ghormley, who also have two homes in nearby St. Petersburg. He’s a founding member of Hydrologic, a plumbing supply company, which operates 12 locations across the state, including Sarasota, Tampa and Fort Myers. In October 2022, Hydrologic was acquired by Winsupply, a materials supplier for residential and commercial construction. At the time of the acquisition, the company reported approximately $250 million in annual revenues.

No: 7: $13.5 Million 

1591 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 218, Longboat Key (Sarasota County)

Another St. Regis unit makes the list, this one purchased by Michael and Tracy Kukuselis of nearby Clearwater. Software engineer Kukuselis is a co-founder and partner at Clarity Innovations, a software development company specializing in data analytics for the Department of Defense and intelligence community. It has an estimated annual revenue of approximately $35.9 million.

The couple’s three-bedroom, four-bathroom unit in Clearwater, with a waterfront view of the Intracoastal, is currently listed for $1.95 million.

No: 6: $14.5 Million

8218 Sanderling Road, Sarasota

We wrote about this waterfront estate in 2019, when it sold for $7.5 million, the highest-priced residential sale on Siesta Key since 2017. Situated on a rare four-acre parcel of land in Sanderling Club, the Gulf-to-lagoon property comes with private beach access and a separate guest house. The main home, built in 1986, has 8,638 interior square feet of living space, five bedrooms and waterfront views from almost every room. The 1,986-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath guest house with a boat dock is perched on Heron Lagoon. 

The seller was Sanderling Beach LLC; the buyer was Earl Weinman (trustee). Weinman is CEO of Propper International Sales, Inc., a company specializing in military apparel that's registered in St. Charles, Missouri, and operates in Florida. 

No. 5: $14,995,000 

4300 Higel Ave., Sarasota

This Siesta Key home sold in just four days in a cash deal, continuing its legacy as a standout property. Originally listed in 2013, it sold for $10.25 million in 2014 and set a record for the area at the time. It again made headlines in 2021, when it sold for $12 million to Chanel Holdings LLC, led by Patrick and Brenda Smith. Patrick Smith is the CEO of Axon Enterprise, which is known for manufacturing tasers and body cameras. 

According to public records, the current owner is Mitchell Schepps, trustee of MVP Trust. Schepps is a shareholder at Gunster, a Florida-based law firm specializing in business law. He advises high-net-worth domestic and international entrepreneurs on income, estate and gift tax planning, as well as business succession and wealth transfer strategies.

The home, designed by Clifford Scholz and built by Perrone Construction, was inspired by Georgian manor houses and features six bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and three half bathrooms. It has expansive water views, marble finishes, walnut floors, and cypress ceilings. The 1.6-acre gated property offers private beach access, multiple balconies, a sprawling pool deck and an 800-square-foot bathroom. 

No. 4: $16,995,000 

4136 Higel Ave., Sarasota

This brand-new home was purchased by Sapphire LLC, based in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. We don’t know much about the names behind the LLC, but we know a little about the address. It was developed by Seaward Development, which owns the Mira Mar Plaza in downtown Sarasota (and whose co-founder, David Hargreaves, bought our No. 10 most expensive listing of 2024). The firm listed the new-construction Siesta Key home for $16.99 million after it purchased the one-acre lot for $3.4 million in 2021. Now completed, the two-story, waterfront home offers 7,460 square feet of living space, including a 1,500-square-foot rooftop terrace and an infinity pool. It has five ensuite bedrooms, seven-and-a-half bathrooms, an office, theater, gym, game room and a pool with an outdoor kitchen and fire pit.

Designed by DSDG Architects, the home is done in the sugar-cube formation that's quickly overtaking more traditional styles. It includes a two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house and an eight-car garage capable of housing up to 16 vehicles thanks to car lifts, and overlooks Big Pass, with views of the Gulf of Mexico and Lido Beach Park. 

No. 3: $19.75 Million 

6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key (Manatee County)

Ohana, on Longboat Key, is a unique property that has generated significant attention over the years, particularly for its private beach access, thanks to a seawall that blocks public access to a stretch of otherwise public Gulf shoreline. The sale was a cash deal; the property was purchased by SISP 33704 LLC, a company based in Tampa. Originally sold for $11.4 million in 2019, the home was designed by architect Guy Peterson, who drew inspiration from African and Polynesian architecture. The previous owners worked with a team of designers to create a series of residential pods, using materials like mahogany, teak, shell stone and coral. The home includes a tennis court, pool, spa and several pavilions, all controlled by a geothermal system. Key features include an expansive 480-foot Gulf-facing living room and a 1,200-square-foot in-law suite. The original beach house was redeveloped into a guesthouse. 

According to public records, the LLC address is connected to The Todd & Karen Wanek Family Foundation and the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation; the founder and family behind Ashley Furniture Industries. According to Forbes, original founder Ronald Wanek is worth $6.2 billion and his son Todd is also listed as a billionaire.

No. 2: $20 Million 

1233 Hillview Drive, Sarasota

Located in Sarasota's prestigious Harbor Acres neighborhood, this home sold for $20 million in March, setting a new record for the area. (Prior to this, Sarasota's top recorded sale was $17.5 million in 2022.) That said, the sale represents a significant drop from its original listing price of nearly $34 million—an almost 41 percent reduction, making it a favorable deal for the buyer. 

Built in 2022, the property spans 11,275 square feet with eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms with more than 140 feet of direct water frontage. It has an open, modern layout with indoor-outdoor living spaces. The main level includes 8,200 square feet, with a family room, gym, playroom, scullery and primary suite. A separate three-bedroom guest suite offers private entry and its own lounge area.

The seller, SRQ Hillview Holdings, acquired the property in 2019 for $9.85 million from philanthropist Margaret Wise. The home was custom-built by Perrone Construction for between $1,200 to $1,500 per square foot, excluding the cost of finishes and demolition. The buyer’s identity remains anonymous, though the sale is tied to a trust with a local lawyer as trustee.

No. 1: $21,244,000 

1561 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Units 201 and 202, Longboat Key (Sarasota County)

In a post-hurricane environment where many barrier island homes are still dealing with major damage, a double condo at The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key set a Sarasota County record, selling for $21.24 million. This sale, involving the combination of two adjacent units, is the highest-ever condo sale in the county and ranks among its top overall real estate deals. 

The combined units, now spanning 10,887 square feet, boast six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two half-baths. It includes a private glass-front plunge pool with Gulf views and access to exclusive St. Regis amenities, such as a private pool, beach services, concierge, wellness center and a private garage. The buyer, John M. Arnold, is a fourth-generation heir to PPC Lubricants, a petroleum company founded in 1924. In 2021, PPC Lubricants was acquired by RelaDyne, a leading provider of lubricants, fuel and diesel exhaust fluid.