309 RINGLING POINT DRIVE, SARASOTA, Sarasota, Residential

Description

Villa di Amore is a stunning Italian Renaissance styled estate home on the shores of Sarasota Bay. 270-degree views of open water extend for miles taking in all of Longboat Key and Sarasota’s north shore which is home to the gilded era mansions built by John and Charles Ringling. The grandeur of this property pays homage to the European influences established by these earlier residents. A travertine clad stairway with decorative, wrought iron railings winds up to the stately double, mahogany front doors. An entry foyer, framed in columns supporting a triple archway leads to the great room with a soaring 24-foot ceiling. Light sparkles on the bay and streams in from all angles through palladium styled windows and high transoms creating almost complete walls of glass. This room is perfect to greet and entertain around the fireplace with a custom wood carved mantle. Polished marble floors are throughout this first level which also includes a complete bar with beverage coolers, a beer tap and lit cabinetry. The adjacent “caterers” kitchen includes twin Dacor four-burner gas ranges with a stainless vent hood, two warming drawers, two KithenAid dishwashers and a French door Sub-Zero 650 refrigerator and freezer. Granite countertops and solid cherry wood cabinetry align with other design elements creating a warmth and continuity throughout. The kitchen overlooks a combination dining & family room which shares unobstructed bay views and opens to a large terrace for indoor/outdoor living. Rounding out the “east wing” is a large pantry and walk in laundry with floor to ceiling cabinetry. The “west wing” of the first floor, with wood floors holds two of the five bedrooms providing some privacy for guests or family. An elevator serves all levels, but you may prefer the stairway with turned iron balusters supporting a wood railing. This leads to the second living level with a 2,200 square foot master suite complete with a sitting room, fireplace, bayfront balcony, his & her walk in closets and a resort quality bath with a walk-in rain-shower and separate pedestal tub. Two additional bedrooms, mirroring the first-floor west wing and a 200-bottle temperature-controlled wine room are also on the second level. Outdoors, there is a newer pool large enough for laps with a unique, grotto styled lounging shelf and gas heated spa. This area is perfect for all day entertaining with a custom designed, live edge, wood bar and a waterside “fire bowl” to gather around for sunsets and nighttime star gazing. The private, bayfront, boat dock with a 13,000-pound lift also has a separate platform for smaller toys like jet skis and paddle boards. This location provides immediate access to Sarasota Bay and nearby New Pass leading to the Gulf of Mexico. No fixed bridges to the Gulf allows for sailboats and variety of other watercraft. Villa di Amore has over 7,000 square feet of living area, 2,300 square feet of elegant terraces, a 4-car garage, bonus rooms “on grade” and all the recreational amenities you need for a full Florida lifestyle in this highly desirable Sarasota neighborhood. Live here amidst Sarasota’s most significant cultural & educational institutions and you’re only 2 miles north of downtown Sarasota, a 12-minute drive to St. Armands Circle and the beaches of Lido and Longboat Key and an equal distance to University Parkway anchored on the west by SRQ International Airport and the UTC shopping district and I75 on the east.