“OHANA” LIVES LIKE A PRIVATE, ALL-INCLUSIVE SOUTH SEAS RESORT

Deborah Beacham, an agent in the Longboat Key South office of Mayfair International Realty members, Michael Saunders & Company, has listed Ohana, a newly-constructed beachfront compound on Longboat Key.

The nearly three-acre Gulf-front estate—located at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive—was designed by the acclaimed Sarasota modernist architect Guy Peterson | OFA, built by master builder Michael K. Walker & Associates; and is at once noteworthy for its contemporary design, unsurpassed Gulf-front location, exotic imported finishes and quality of construction; and the fact that the seaside compound lives like a private, all-inclusive South Seas resort with the added protection of a hardened shoreline with seawall—one of the only two such structures on the entire island for private residences.

Ohana, which derives its name from the Hawaiian word that translates in English to “a place of family, laughter and sharing,” is listed for $22 million.

The compound consists of three architecturally significant pavilions and a separate beachfront guest house, all positioned to take full advantage of the properties unobstructed views up and down the coastline. The guest, main and master pavilions—along with the beach house—are set around a large free-form swimming pool with a swim-up sun shelf and adjacent, palm-thatched beach pavilion. A motor court and tennis court are on the east side of the property with the entire compound shielded from Gulf of Mexico Drive with spectacularly lush landscaping and a beautifully designed walled and gated entry. In all, the three pavilions include just under 10,000 square feet of living space with a total of six bedrooms and seven baths; and two half baths. Counting the terraces, balconies, stone walkways, patios, driveways and parking areas, the total square footage of the compound is over 36,000 square feet.

Ohana’s spectacular landscape was designed by the renowned landscape architect Raymond Jungles, of Miami. It includes 60-plus varieties of tropical foliage including assorted native plants, bougainvillea and indigenous palms.
“Ohana could not be more appropriately named,” says company founder and CEO Michael Saunders. “It is a magical property on an equally magical stretch of beach that was designed as a secluded seaside gathering spot for a very private family and their friends. Having grown up nearby, I can vouch for the fact that many of my most lasting memories and lifelong friendships were forged along the same magnificent stretch of beach.”

Although Ohana’s list price is the highest on record for a residential property in the Sarasota market, comparable waterfront estates of this quality and scale routinely sell for much more in Naples, Palm Beach and Miami.
“Buyers in this price tier might have once gravitated to Palm Beach or Naples,” says Ms. Beacham, who is counted among Southwest Florida’s most accomplished waterfront specialists. “Now, however, they are discovering substantially better values in comparable Sarasota luxury properties without having to compromise on lifestyle or submit to living in larger, more congested Florida metros. Indeed, Sarasota’s worldwide reputation as a small but significant hub for the arts, culture, recreation and international sports tourism has propelled it into the same league as these other Florida markets. As such, we are welcoming more and more buyers of very substantial means who choose Sarasota primarily for its culture-rich lifestyle; then enjoy the added bonus of greater values in comparable properties.”

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