Find a Retro House in Sarasota
November 10, 2009
SARASOTA – For those of you who have dreamed about a glorious retro ranch house from the 1950s, terrazzo tiles and all, now is the time. Sarasota, home of the Sarasota School of Modern design, is the place you want to be looking. Other than Palm Springs, California, this is the place. Prices have dropped, and there are some great deals.
Before you come, think about the following areas to look:
South Gate: Just south of downtown; some of it is in the city of Sarasota and some just outside in Sarasota County. Houses are three bedroom or so, and built in the 1960s. Part of the original development is the Westfield Southgate Mall, which has a Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Dillards, all within walking distance. The Sarasota Memorial Hospital is nearby.
Gulf Gate: This area is less than a mile from Siesta Key, and just off Tamiami Trail. The houses here are smaller, some two bedrooms. Not as architecturally interesting as South Gate, but some great houses nonetheless. A great shopping area, also called Gulf Gate, is part of the neighborhood. This shopping area includes all manner of funky bars and restaurants, as well as Publix, Stein Mart, Books a Million and Old Navy. Nearby are all the major car dealers, and bike trails in Palmer Ranch are adjacent. The Catholic Church sits in the middle of the neighborhood; its Sarasota School too.
Paver Park: One of many groovin’ neighborhoods in Sarasota is Paver Park, which sits just east of downtown. Smaller houses, but some really good ones. Paver also developed Kensington Park, seen above in an old advertisement.
There are other pockets of modern are all across the city. Siesta Key has many gems, including some by top architects. These tend to be waterfront extravaganzas, and while their prices have moderated, there are no cheapies less than $200,000 to be had.
We’ve got a 1959 house in the Ringling Park area, north of Kensington Park (which is SUPER ghetto). Ours is another “retro ranch” house about 5 minutes from downtown. Great floor plan. GREAT area. I love it. We can easily walk or drive to downtown. Neighbors are very quiet and friendly. We’re also close to the fairgrounds, beaches, shopping, parks, etc.
But man, unless these houses are seriously restored — plumbing, roofs, ceilings, central air, improved pools, engineered rain run-off — they aren’t worth the ground they’re built on . . . even with the terrazzo, which has caused us nothing but trouble.
Also, we’re very close to pretty uncomfortable neighborhoods where I don’t like to go after dark.
South Gate is great, but generally out of price reach, even now. It’s mostly a deed restricted so that adds value/cost. Also a highly-trafficked area because of its proximity to the mall and hospital.
Gulf Gate has great amenities, but a terrible location if you’re looking for proximity to downtown, the main beaches or the freeway. Or most of your friends, who likely live in Bradenton or other areas of Sarasota.
So. Anyone looking for a good deal on an almost-foreclosed house in the super-sweet, almost-downtown area?