Sarasota first became a “modern” town when it was promoted in Scotland by the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company in 1885. It was a breath of fresh air, promising an abundance of fertile land, plentiful citrus groves, and affordable housing. Among those first Scottish settlers was John Hamilton Gillespie, an aristocrat, lawyer, and member of the Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland. Gillespie built the upscale DeSoto Hotel on Main Street for tourists and prospective investors. John Ringling, of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, meanwhile positioned Sarasota as “Florida’s Cultural Coast.” John and his wife Mable needed a place to house their ever-growing collection of works by Peter Paul Reubens and other masters of 17th-century Italian and Flemish art. We know that collection today as the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, one of America’s most famous art museums.
In terms of sports, Sarasota is known as Florida’s “Cradle of Golf.” The city was home to the first course in the state and one of America’s first golf courses built in 1905. The nine-hole course was located in the heart of what now is the downtown area. Today, Sarasota offers more than 1,000 holes at public, semi-private and private courses. A city rich in cultural life and leisure activities, Sarasota offers residents a superb quality of life. New developments in the city include spectacular oceanfront condos and penthouses, as well as luxury homes overlooking golf courses and lakes. CNN/Money Magazine chose Sarasota as America’s Best Small City and one of the nation's top eight Best Places to Retire.
Let us help you find the home of your dreams in Sarasota. We have a direct relationship with the major builders to offer you the best prices, but if you can’t wait for the pre-construction process, we have a comprehensive listing of houses, apartments, condos and townhomes available in the market.
