$28.35 million Italian villa sets new bar for Sarasota

STEVE REID
Editor & Publisher
sreid@lbknews.com

The soul of Sarasota architecture has long followed two traditions: ornate replicas representing the greatest hits of Italian villas and its very own Mid-Century Modern aesthetic.

The former is embodied in the most expensive listing to hit the Sarasota market, a $28.35 million mansion estate adorning 160-feet of Bayfront adjacent to the Field Club on Sarasota Bay.
The property located at 1310 South Lake Shore Drive is a four bedroom, six bath, 9,225 square foot home which was originally built by the owner, local cardiologist Dr. Gene Myers. Myers bought the 1.3-acre lot in 1990 for $700,000 and undertook the renovation with Italian architect Andrea Gallo.
The owner and Gallo visited different locations in Italy finding inspiration in villas. If they found an element that resonated, they brought that design back to Sarasota and had it custom fabricated. Marble, tiles, and roof materials were shipped from Italy. Other elements are a direct descendant of Italian construction including Venetian plaster walls, 23-karat gold leaf and hand-painted frescos, Roman columns, coffered ceilings, and custom moldings throughout the home.
This tradition of replicating Italy harkens to the City’s first true influencer of design, John Ringling, and his elaborate Ca’ d’Zan. Ringling built his masterpiece as a winter retreat a few miles north also on Sarasota Bay.
The exterior of this home, especially the pool area, is inspired directly by Gianni Versace’s Casa Casuarina in Miami. The entire property is surrounded by a 650-foot wall adding to the estate-like atmosphere.
Previous record prices include a sale for $20 million in Harbour Acres and with the completion of the St. Regis Longboat Key the trajectory of real estate values appears ever-ascending.