For those who dream of a luxurious coastal lifestyle, Longboat Key – and Grand Bay within it – couldn’t be a more suitable place to purchase a home. Its superior location surrounded by two pristine bodies of water, the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, as well as a major bridge that keeps it connected to the Florida mainland, makes residents of Longboat Key rarely want for more.
Longboat Key certainly has its fair share of upscale properties befitting the area’s highly coveted lifestyle. But if you want to take it a step further, Grand Bay is the perfect place to live. With its full suite of amenities, access to the exclusive Bay Isles Beach Club, and secure location, Grand Bay allows you to indulge in the very best of Southern Florida right at your doorstep.
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OVERVIEW OF LONGBOAT KEY
Longboat Key is, without a doubt, one of the beautiful places on the Gulf Coast. Recently recognized as one of the Best Islands in the United States, this narrow barrier island encompasses a total area of 16 square miles, with only a quarter made up of land.
It’s also well known for its upscale lifestyle, making it a popular destination among discerning luxury travelers. It comes as no surprise that many choose to permanently move here, trading the bustle of the city for the calm of the island.
ABOUT THE GRAND BAY ENCLAVE OF CONDOMINIUMS
If you’re thinking of buying property on Longboat Key, Grand Bay is one of the best places to start your search. Grand Bay is an exclusive enclave comprising a total of 272 condominiums, which are spread across six high-rise buildings. Each unit varies in size, accommodating the preferences of different buyers. You can choose between 2-bedroom units spanning 1,200 square feet to penthouse residences reaching 4,000 square feet or more.
Apart from the penthouses, some of the most highly-coveted units are located on the fifth to sixth floors, which offer stunning views of either the Gulf of Mexico or Sarasota Bay depending on which side of the building you’re on.
Grand Bay is part of Bay Isles, a master-planned collection of neighborhoods located behind the gates of Longboat Key Club. Strategically developed along the widest part of the narrow island, Bay Isles features lush tropical landscaping, thoughtfully designed properties, and some of the finest, most exclusive amenities on the key.
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A suite of amenities
As a resident of Grand Bay, you gain access to a full suite of amenities and personalized services in-keeping with the luxury lifestyle that Longboat Key is known for. These include:
- Access to pristine beaches facilitated through the Bay Isles Beach Club.
- Safety and convenience, with enhanced smart security systems throughout every building.
- A modern fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art amenities for those who wish to maintain an active lifestyle.
- Two large heated swimming pools and two spas available on-site, perfect for relaxation and comfort.
- Two tennis courts and scenic walking grounds.
- Biking opportunities readily available outside the gate.
- For necessities, the Shoppes of Bay Isles is only a few minutes away. The development includes several stores, a CVS pharmacy, and a Publix Supermarket.
Condos in Grand Bay, Longboat Key, FL
As of March 2024, the median listing price for condos in Grand Bay, Longboat Key is at $1.8 million, with properties staying on the market for approximately 86 days. It’s currently a buyer’s market, making it the ideal time to purchase a home. Prospective buyers should be prepared to pay anywhere from $849,000 to over $2.3 million for a property.
While characteristics vary with price point, size, and sometimes location (ie. the view that you’re getting), these are some of the most common features of an upscale condo in Grand Bay:
- Spacious living areas running from 1,200 to 4,000 square feet
- Spacious primary suites with a private terrace
- Private elevators
- Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances
- Solid wood cabinets
- Walk-in closets
- High-end finishes
- Updated kitchens
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WHY LIVE IN GRAND BAY?
There are numerous advantages to living in Grand Bay – the luxurious properties are just one part of the equation.
- Scenic waterfront living
There’s something to be said about the allure of living by the beach. On Longboat Key, you get to wake up to sunrise views over Sarasota Bay, then end your day watching the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico. Not only does this provide a tranquil and picturesque setting for everyday life, it can also offer a host of health benefits, from better sleep to a more active lifestyle.
- Exclusive community amenities
If you’re already accustomed to the finer things in life, then Grand Bay’s amenities won’t disappoint. Residents automatically have access to the Bay Isles Beach Club, which includes a fine dining restaurant, several boat docks, and a discreet passage to Longboat Key’s beaches.
As mentioned above, Grand Bay itself has its own amenities. There are multiple swimming pools available if you want to cool off on a hot day, state-of-the-art fitness centers for pursuing your strength and fitness goals, and several landscaped walking trails for exploration.
- Pet-friendly residences
Grand Bay prides itself on being a pet-friendly community, as few other residences on the key allow owners to live with pets. Homeowners can have two large pets up to a certain weight; we recommend consulting with building management about the specific policies. Note that you’ll need to use the service elevator whenever you want to bring your pets outside.
- Access to Longboat Key’s attractions
Beyond the confines of Grand Bay and Bay Isles, residents have access to the best of Longboat Key’s dining, entertainment, and cultural offerings. These include premier waterfront restaurants, boutique shops, and art galleries, as well as recreational facilities such as tennis gardens and pristine golf courses.
- Proximity to Sarasota
A mere 20 minute-drive from the city of Sarasota, Grand Bay residents can enjoy seamless access to urban conveniences. There are plenty of cultural attractions to explore on a weekend or a night out, as well as a diverse shopping and dining scene, so you’ll have no shortage of new places to visit.
- Real estate investment potential
If you’re thinking about the investment potential of living in Grand Bay, you’re on the right track – properties on Longboat Key have seen steady appreciation over time, with an average appreciation rate of 12.91% during the period of 2018 to 2023.
LIFE IN GRAND BAY: NEARBY AMENITIES, ATTRACTIONS, AND MORE
Purchasing a condo in Grand Bay is more than about owning a property; it’s also about access to a highly-coveted lifestyle with distinct amenities and attractions.
Longboat Key Club Tennis & Golf
Longboat Key Club is perfect for sports enthusiasts. The Tennis Gardens, completed in 2009, features 20 HarTru courts and has been given the 2009 Outstanding Facility Award by the United States Tennis Association. The Sarasota Open draws an impressive crowd of around 30,000 spectators annually.
The golf courses on the resort are equally praiseworthy. Links on Longboat, the course located on the resort’s Islandside, offer incredible views of the Gulf throughout an immaculate 18-hole championship layout designed by Bill Mitchell.
Meanwhile, three different courses await on the resort’s Harbourside: the Red Hawk course, the Blue Heron course, and the White course. All three courses have nine holes and more than 3,000 yards. Willard Byrd is credited with the original design, but Ron Garl renovated the Blue and Red courses sometime in 2005 and 2006.
The Moorings
The Moorings at Longboat Key Club is Sarasota’s premier marina resort, known for its expansive, full-service marina that features a total of 291 slips. The Moorings takes pride in its personalized services and eco-friendly practices, with seasoned technicians on-site ready to provide repairs and detailing services. Members can even avail of a customized cleaning schedule, which includes both interior and exterior cleaning.
Downtown Sarasota
Just across the New Pass Bridge, Downtown Sarasota offers a wide range of activities for Longboat Key residents to enjoy. You can catch performances at theaters like Florida Studio Theatre or take a leisurely stroll through Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. For entertainment, there’s McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, and art enthusiasts can explore galleries at the Sarasota Art Museum.
Dining options are abundant; you can enjoy seafood at Indigenous Restaurant, Peruvian dishes at Selva Grill, or Mediterranean fare at 1952 Wood Fired Kitchen.
The Ringling
A visit to Sarasota is incomplete without a day at The Ringling, a sprawling 66-acre museum complex that houses five different cultural and historic sites: the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan, Historic Asolo Theater, and the Bayfront Gardens.
The museum’s art building is Florida’s official state art museum and features the original 21 galleries from when it was first established in 1932. Visitors can immerse themselves in exhibitions at the The Chao Center for Asian Art, Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing, and Keith D. Monda Gallery for Contemporary Art.
DISCOVER THE TOP LUXURY CONDOS IN GRAND BAY, LONGBOAT KEY
With the Addy-Wittig Real Estate, you’re guaranteed the white-glove service you deserve. Our combined 55 years of experience in the real estate industry has given us sharp insight and a keen understanding of the Longboat Key housing market. We’re proud to have been named the area’s top performing team with Michael Saunders & Company – a testament to our hard work and expertise.
If you’re ready to begin looking for condos in Grand Bay, Longboat Key, we’re eager to offer our services. You may reach us at 941.387.0100 or through our website.