The $4,950,000 Sarasota School of Architecture Masterpiece Seamlessly Blends Historical Elements with Modern Luxury

117 S Polk Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

4 Beds | 4 Baths | 2,583 Square Feet Living | 0.39 Acres Land | 2 Garage Spaces | Built in 1952

Listed by Kim Ogilvie at MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY (Phone: 941-951-6660). Check the origin listing at the section Property Reference.

Property Overview

Own a piece of architectural history in this award-winning Sarasota School of Architecture masterpiece. Immerse yourself in tranquility and privacy, steps away from Lido Beach and St. Armand’s Circle, and enjoy modern luxuries seamlessly blended with cherished historic elements.

The property features:

• Unique Architectural Gem: Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind architectural experience, featuring a seamless blend of midcentury-modern design and contemporary updates, recognized with a prestigious Florida AIA Design Award.
• Private Waterfront Sanctuary: Embrace unparalleled privacy and tranquility in your own waterfront oasis, nestled on a .39-acre canal-front lot with flourishing tropical gardens.
• Steps from Lido Beach and St. Armand’s Circle: Enjoy the best of both worlds with close proximity to pristine beaches and the vibrant shops and restaurants of St. Armand’s Circle.
• Meticulously Renovated: The home has undergone a series of thoughtful renovations over the past 30 years, preserving its original charm while incorporating modern amenities and luxurious finishes.
• Architectural Features: Discover cherished Sarasota School elements like expansive glass walls, beamed ceilings, terrazzo flooring, and wide overhangs, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Private Guest Wing: Accommodate guests with comfort and privacy in the newly added guest wing, featuring a bedroom with a built-in divider, wet bar, full bath, and private outdoor shower.
• Luxurious Master Suite: Retreat to the spacious master suite, offering breathtaking backyard views, a full bathroom, a luxurious office, and a walk-in closet.
• Versatile Living Spaces: The versatile floor plan includes a dedicated office, a den with potential for a fourth bedroom, and a separate full bath with original tiles and exposed brick.
• Outdoor Oasis: Relax and entertain in your private backyard oasis, featuring a pool, spa, fire pit, sculptures, and lush greenery.
• Deepwater Boat Dock: Enjoy easy access to Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico with a deepwater boat dock and lift.

Property Photos

Photos provided by Kim Ogilvie at MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY.

Property Description

Tucked away in a tranquil waterfront sanctuary a short stroll from Lido Beach and upscale dining and shopping in St. Armand’s Circle, this one-of-a-kind Sarasota School of Architecture design home presents a rare opportunity. Situated on a .39-acre canal-front lot, the home boasts expansive glass walls, flourishing tropical gardens and unparalleled privacy. Built in 1952, the Lido Key residence underwent a series of thoughtful renovations, transforming it from a midcentury-modern ranch-style house into a Sarasota School of Architecture masterpiece, honored with a Florida AIA Design Award in 2022. The stylish nearly 2,600-square-foot home flawlessly blends cherished historic elements with modern luxuries. The design evolution began after the home’s purchase in 1989, with the current owner orchestrating three major renovations over the next 30-plus years. The remodels accentuated the home’s original Sarasota School elements, including a flat roof, large sliding glass and screen doors, wide overhangs, beamed ceilings and terrazzo flooring. Among other vintage features are built-in storage cubicles and a roll-up pass-through window from the kitchen to lanai. Mahogany cabinetry and built-ins throughout add an air of sophistication. The first renovation included the addition of a floating entrance canopy roof, kitchen and bath updates, and conversion of the carport into a two-car garage with plentiful storage and Japanese-style white glass windows. A second remodel added meticulously designed front and rear courtyard gardens and additional living/dining room windows for enjoying the scenery, aligning with the Sarasota School’s philosophy of integrating interior and exterior spaces. A wall of glass sliders opens to the lanai, featuring a built-in Artisan grill and sliding screen doors to the backyard’s pool, verdant gardens, spa, fire pit and sculptures. Towering sea grapes conceal the property from the street and bamboo ensures privacy from neighbors on both sides. Beyond dense waterside mangroves and coconut palms is a deepwater boat dock with a lift for cruising to nearby Sarasota Bay and the Gulf. The most recent renovation, finished in 2021, converted the home into a versatile split plan with the addition of a private guest wing, which includes a room divider, book cases, well-appointed wet bar, full bath, remote control operated museum shades and indoor/outdoor shower. Terrazzo floors, a beamed ceiling grid and glass walls on two sides overlook lush greenery, mirroring the overall aesthetic of the home. The opposite end of the house encompasses the primary suite: a bedroom with stunning backyard views, full bath and closet; a luxurious adjacent office with a built-in mahogany desk and plentiful display shelving; a guest bedroom with, full en suite bath; and a den with grooved plywood paneling, custom bookshelves and a walk-in closet. The den could easily become a fourth bedroom, and separate full bath with original tiles, exposed brick and clerestory windows is just across the hall. Experience an unsurpassed living experience in this distinctive architectural home next to pristine beaches and St. Armand’s Circle.

Property Reference

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