Florida's West Coast retreats
May 05, 1991|By Diana C. Gleasner Special To The Sentinel
BOCA GRANDE — Pristine shell-strewn beaches, fragrant tropical flowers and not a single traffic light on all of Gasparilla Island.
Year-round sunshine tempered by breezes from the Gulf.
Best tarpon fishing in the world.
Streets that make a statement: Dam If I Know, Dam If I Care and Dam If I Will.
No wonder Katharine Hepburn adores the ice cream in Boca Grande. Her handwritten note posted in the Loose Caboose declares: ''That ice cream is perfect - Wow!'' Of course, you might not see it amid the general accumulation of stuff - the fuzzy alligator wearing sunglasses, the antique vacuum cleaner on the wall or the sign: ''Stop - Look - Listen - Proceed when train is coming.''
Not to worry. There hasn't been a train here in years.
The preferred transportation is by bicycle, and the bike path extends the length of this lush, seven-mile sliver of land. Lots of folks prefer parking their cars and relying solely on pedal power. Better for the blood pressure.
Come to think of it, the entire island of Gasparilla is good for the blood pressure.
Stash the alarm clock. You'll know when the sun emerges and when it slips into the Gulf. If you must know how long it takes to reach tournament-size tarpon, the answer is ''not long.''
Listen up. The major sounds on this tranquil island are gulls calling or maybe the soft whisper of a dolphin breathing unless (and this is a big unless) you're at Laff-A-Lott on a Saturday night.
Where is this rare find? One of a string of barrier islands scattered along southwest Florida's coast between Tampa and Fort Myers, Gasparilla is approximately an hour's drive south of Sarasota. Bordered on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, on the north by Little Gasparilla Pass, on the east by Charlotte Harbor and on the south by Boca Grande Pass, the island is accessible by bridge ($4.00 toll) or boat.
Boca Grande (Spanish for ''big mouth'') Pass, one of Florida's deepest natural inlets, accounts for its early history. Calusa Indians were drawn to its rich fishing grounds. Railroads that once carried phosphate mined in central Florida to the island's deep-water harbor later transported distinguished guests for the winter season.
Today, Boca Grande's population of nearly 800 more than triples during winter and spring. Visitors come for their own reasons, which range from exhilarating angling to somnolent afternoons under a palm tree.
The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce consists of a personable woman in the Island Bike N Beach shop who'll give you a map and offer to ''tell you anything you want to know.'' Ask where to get the best breakfast in town, and she'll suggest Loons on a Limb.
Best undiscovered art gallery? Next to the Theater Restaurant. Best local nightspot? Laff-A-Lott. Best place to have your Wall Street Journal delivered? Fugates. Best local news source? The Boca Beacon ties with the local librarian. The best grouper sandwich? Millers Marina. The best onion rings? Also at Millers. The best clams? The Killer Cajun Clam Strips at the Casual Clam Cafe. The best dinner? Local sentiment favors the Temptation, with the Pink Elephant (islanders call it The Pink) a close second.
Apparently, the folks staying in the grand old Gasparilla Inn are quite happy with their fare, or they wouldn't return with such astonishing regularity. In 1911, when the 20-room inn was new and so empty it echoed, the first inquiry came from a prominent Bostonian. Before granting a reservation, the manager asked her to wire both a social and a bank reference. When the word got around that this hostelry catered to the right people, the right people appeared and stayed the season.
There are still two seasons on the island - the social season, from November to April, and the tarpon season, from mid-April to July. The Gasparilla Inn, open from mid-December to June, has expanded to 150 rooms (with the addition of cottages) and boasts the only golf course on the island.
What to do on Boca Grande? True beach lovers don't need anything more than dazzling white sand, a view of the distant horizon and the gently lapping, Perrier-clear Gulf. Others enjoy shelling, birding and all manner of water sports from fishing to windsurfing.
Grab your bike (rentals available) and wander the back roads. Island architecture is an eclectic mix of Spanish-style stucco, elegant walled mansions of the rich and famous and the more humble dwellings of fisher folk.
During your ramblings, be sure to include the library - pink stucco with coquina-rock walls, oversized cypress doors and an intimate courtyard. Browse the library's shell collection (donated by Henry Francis duPont) and ask for ''Walking Tours on Boca Grande'' or buy a copy at Books in the Sand.
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Filed under: Real Estate, Market Conditions, For Sale, For Rent/Lease, Open Houses, Announcements, Events, Technology, Industry, Point2, Product Reviews, Finances, Buyer Information, Seller Information, Community Information, local happenings
ON ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 9/03/10
New Listing(s):
164 Carrick Bend Lane, 3/3.5, $1,295,000
845 Belcher Road, 2/1, $599,000
981 9th St. E. 3/3.5, $3,900,000
375 Barbarosa Street, Lot 1, $359,000
Seawatch 33, 3/3, $1,350,000
Pending(s):
BGC 3A
Price Changes
Village Home 38 From $995,000 To $899,000 (- $96,000)
Closings:
Sea Oats 137 Listed @ $549,000 Sold for $549,000 on 8/28
BOM
394 Gulf Boulevard
OFF ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK:
New Listing(s):
7 Seaward Circle, 3/2, $240,000
Pending(s):
555 Coral Creek Drive
Price Changes
4 Arlington Drive From $329,000 To $379,000 (+ $50,000)
Boca Vista D302 From $385,000 To $325,000 (- $60,000)
ON ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 8/27/10
New Listing(s):
Lighthouse # 15, 3/2, $795,000
Village Home 19, 3/3, $499,900
Price Changes
BG Club Dunes Chalet 102 From $415,000 To $395,000 (- $20,000)
BG North #68 From $299,000 To $379,000 (- $20,000)
BG Club 23B From $625,000 To $595,000 (- $30,000)
4510 45th Street W. From $1,450,000 To $1,275,000 (- $175,000)
Closings:
851-3 Harborshore Drive Listed @ $1,675,000 Sold for $1,550,000 on 8/23/10
OFF ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 8/27/10
New Listing(s):
395 Pelican Bend, 4/4, $656,900
225 Capstan Drive, 2/3, $399,000
450 Coral Creek Dr. 5/3, $599,900
1020 Bayshore Dr. 3/3, $269,900
67 Barracuda Dr. Lot 16, $79,900
13104 Via Cassia, Lot 21, $89,900
Pending(s):
Placida Harbour Club Unit 2901
550 Spaniards Road
Price Changes
445 Coral Creek Drive from $535,000 To $495,000 (- $40,000)
105 Spyglass Alley From $999,500 To $899,500 (- $100,000)
13180 Joseffa Court From $695,000 To $549,000 (- $146,000)
ON ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 08/20/10
New Listing(s):
BG Club 59B, 3/3, $869,000
Dunes of Boca #10, 3/3, $1,175,000
315 Barbarosa Street, 3/2.5, $1,050,000
Price Changes
590 Gulf Blvd. From $4,995,000 To $4,450,000 (-$545,000)
Marina Village #7 from $295,000 To $279,000 (-$16,000)
Closings:
384 East Railroad Ave. Listed @ $900,000 Sold for $900,000 on 8/16/10
OFF ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 8/20/10
Price Changes
4170 Cape Haze Dr from $249,900 To $235,000 (- $14,900)
2 Amberjack Ter. From $263,900 To $262,900 (-$1,000)
4 Arlington Dr. From $389,000 To $329,000 (-$60,000)
4 Amberjack Ter. From $27,900 To $24,900 (-$3,000)
13024 Via Aurelia from $699,000 To $675,000 (-$24,000)
ON ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 8/13/10
Pending(s):
BG Club Beach Chalet 206
384 East Railroad Ave.
Price Changes
320 East Railroad Ave. From $694,500 To $649,000 (- $45,500)
BOM
BG Club 47A
270 Seabreeze Court
OFF ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK:
New Listing(s):
55 Buccaneer Rd. 3/3, $550,000 (Prudential)
Placida Harbour #1012, 2/2, $649,000 (BMP)
550 Spaniards Rd. 5/4, $595,000 (Charity Cain)
510 Spaniards Rd. Lot 5, $85,000 (Tarpon)
13054 Via Aurelia, Lot 38, $106,000 (Tarpon)
Price Changes
4634 Arlington Dr. From $319,000 To $299,000 (- $20,000)
ON ISLAND NEWS FOR THE WEEK: 08/06/10
New Listing(s):
252 Waterways Avenue, 3/3, $1,875,000
Price Changes
305 Barbarosa Street From $450,000 To $399,999 (- $50,001)
1510 East Railroad Avenue From $775,000 To $730,000 (- $45,000)
460 Bradly Street From $949,000 To $929,000 (- $20,000)
BGN #75 From $439,000 To $419,000 (- $20,000)
271 Revels Court From $425,000 To $399,000 (- $26,000)
Closings:
BGC 29A Listed @ $649,000 Sold for $525,000 on 8/2/10
BOM
Village Home #25
OFF ISLAND
New Listing(s):
8509 Placida Road Commercial Listing $2,600,000
500 Spaniards Road, Lots 31 &31, $85,000
9471 Eagle Preserve Dr. Lot # 5 $299,000
Price Changes
245 Spaniards Rd. From $695,000 To $725,000 (+ $30,000)
4720 Spaniards Rd. From $284,900 To $259,900 (- $25,000)
3 Seaward Circ. From $226,000 To $209,000 (- $17,000)
4634 Arlington Dr. From $329,000 To $319,000 (- $10,000)
585 Coral Creek Drive From $379,900 To $349,000 (- $30,900)
BOM
13220 Anglers Way (GP)
when:Nov 18, 2010 at 8:00pm where:P.O. Box 1222, Boca Grande, FL from: Royal Palm Players. Category: Arts and Entertainment
when:Nov 19, 2010 at 8:00pm where:P.O. Box 1222, Boca Grande, FL from: Royal Palm Players. Category: Arts and Entertainment when:Nov 20, 2010 at 8:00pm where:P.O. Box 1222, Boca Grande, FL from Royal Palm Players category: Arts and Entertainment
Boca Grande is a small residential community on Gasparilla Island, in southwest Florida. Gasparilla Island is a part of both Charlotte and Lee Counties, while the actual village of Boca Grande, which is home to many seasonal and some year-round residents, is entirely in the Lee County portion of the island. Boca Grande is known for its charming authentic downtown, sugar sand beaches, blue water, and world class fishing.
New Listing(s):
2225 22nd Street, 2/2. $735,000
3561 Gasparilla Rd. Lot #14, $295,000
739-2 S. Harbor Drive, 3/2.5, $1,150,000
1684 Jose Gaspar Drive, 4/4.5, $2,695,000
361 Lee Avenue, 2/2, $795,000
Price Changes
Sea Oats 251 From $765,000 To $735,000 (-$30,000)
Sea Oats 344 From $749,000 To $699,000 (-$50,000)
Seagrape 14 From $1,050,000 To $975,000 (-$75,000)
Closings:
1651 Jose Gaspar Dr. Listed @ $3,950,000 Sold for $3,500,000 on 7/27/10
280 Seabreeze Court Listed @ $395,000 Sold for $375,000 on 7/30/10
Pending listings
Boca Grande Club 29A
Price changes
9850 NW Gasparilla Pass $3,400,000 to $2,975,000
Boca Grande Club 38B $850,000 to $750,000
Sea Oats 316 $795,000 to $749,000
Sea Oats 135 $750,000 to $735,000
311 Palm Ave in the village of Boca Grande $899,000 to $849,000
320 East Railroad Ave $799,000 to $694,500
Closed sales
1820 Jack Point Lane $2,350,000
415 Rock Dove Drive $1,650,000
“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s model shows southwest Florida’s shoreline is least likely to see tar balls and oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill; a less than 1% chance according to the new federal computer model.” (7/3/2010) New Listing(s) on Island: 420 Gulf Blvd, Sundown #16, 2/2, $790,000 BG Club BC206, 1/2, $395,000 Price Change 2280 E. Railroad, From $4,250,000 to $3,950,000 (-$300,000) On Island Closings: 250 Harbor Dr., Listed @ $1,995,000 Sold @ $1,770,000 6/28/10 1820 18 Street West, Listed @ $875,000 Sold @ $800,000 6/29/10 748 Seaboard Line Lane Listed @ $890,000 Sold @ $820,000 on 6/30/10 |
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| Carol Stewart | Gasparilla Properties | (941) 276-1162 |
5000 GASPARILLA RD # BC206, Boca Grande, FL | Best priced beachfront 1 bedroom 2nd floor condo in the Boca Grande Club. |
| 1BR/2BA Condo | | offered at $395,000 | | Year Built | 1984 | | Sq Footage | 828 | | Bedrooms | 1 | | Bathrooms | 2 full, 0 partial | | Floors | 1 | | Parking | 1 Uncovered spaces | | Lot Size | Unspecified | | HOA/Maint | $465 per month |
DESCRIPTION
| Best priced beachfront 1 bedroom 2nd floor condo in the Boca Grande Club. This nicely furnished condo boasts 2 full baths, hurricane glass throughout, and fabulous views of the Gulf of Mexico. The Boca Grande Club amenities include 3 swimming pools, a fitness center, yoga, organized tennis, and private beach front restaurant. Mandatory Boca Grande Club membership, with a $10,000 initial fee - $2835 annual fee. |
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| PROPERTY FEATURES
| - Central A/C | - Central heat | - Living room | | - Dining room | - Refrigerator | - Stove/Oven | | - Washer | - Dryer | - Balcony, Deck, or Patio |
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COMMUNITY FEATURES
| - Guest parking | - Clubhouse | - Fitness center | | - Swimming pool(s) | - Tennis court(s) | - Gated property | | - Secured entry | - Elevator | |
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OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES
| - Beach front on the Gulf of Mexico |
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| ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
 Beach |  Kitchen |  Bedroom |  Living |
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| Contact info: |  | Carol Stewart | Gasparilla Properties | (941) 276-1162 | For sale by agent/broker |
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Posted: Jul 1, 2010, 10:53am PDT |
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The "Still Pristine" campaign will continue its second week of 30-second television spots to address consumer misperceptions and reassure visitors that the Gulf oil spill is not affecting our area's coastline and islands.
Presenting the Real Estate News for the Week Ending 06/25/2010
This newsletter is delivered to e-mail addresses in my address book each week and is filled with links to slideshow tours, my blog, my website, and more! I encourage you to “GO GREEN” and save paper by joining my e-newsletter group. You can unsubscribe at any time and I do not share your personal information with anyone. To subscribe, please call me or send an e-mail to me at cstewart@gasparillaproperties.com.
New Listings On-Island:
970 Palm Ave #123, Silver King Condos, 3/2, $795,000
1160 11 Street East, 2/2, $550,000
On-Island Closings:
370 East Railroad #5, listed @ $150,000 Sold at $150,000 – 6/11/10
Sales Pending On-Island:
New Listings Off-Island:
Cape Haze Resort 8405-207, 2/2, $108,900
Off-Island Closings:
Sales Pending Off-Island
Price Changes:
Back on Market
For more information on these recent developments, or real estate in general, please call me toll-free 877-462-2622 or direct 941-276-1162.
Carol Stewart, CRB, RSPS, e-PRO REALTOR ®
Broker/Owner of Gasparilla Properties, Inc.
cstewart@gasparillaproperties.com
www.BocaGrandeBroker.com
| Carol Stewart | Gasparilla Properties | cstewart@gasparillaproperties.com | 941-276-1162 |
423 Green Teal Drive, Boca Grande, FL | REDUCED! Charlotte Harbor Waterfront Home |
| 3BR/2BA Single Family House | | offered at $995,000 | | Year Built | 1999 | | Sq Footage | 1,548 | | Bedrooms | 3 | | Bathrooms | 2 full, 0 partial | | Floors | 1 | | Parking | 2 Car garage | | Lot Size | 9,360 sqft | | HOA/Maint | $0 per month |
DESCRIPTION
| Best priced bayfront single family home in North Bay. Wonderful views of Charlotte Harbor. See the sunrise and moonlight over the bay from this sunny one level home. Bright and cheerful three bedroom, two bath home with wood floors, tall windows, open deck and screened porch. Spacious two-car garage with plenty of extra storage space. Four Boca Bay pools, competitive tennis, Gulf of Mexico beachfront club, and more await in this beautifully landscaped community on Gasparilla Island. |
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| PROPERTY FEATURES
| - Central A/C | - Central heat | - High/Vaulted ceiling | | - Walk-in closet | - Hardwood floor | - Tile floor | | - Office/Den | - Dishwasher | - Refrigerator | | - Stove/Oven | - Microwave | - Washer | | - Dryer | - Laundry area - inside | - Balcony, Deck, or Patio | | - Yard | | |
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COMMUNITY FEATURES
| - Garage parking | - Clubhouse | - Fitness center | | - Swimming pool(s) | - Tennis court(s) | - Lake | | - Gated property | | |
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OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES
| - Gasparilla Island Seven Miles w/Bridge to the Mainland | | - Walking/Biking Trails the Length of the Island | | - Golf Cart Community | | - Tropical Setting Surrounded by Blue Green Water and Beautiful Beaches |
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| ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
 Front Exterior | .jpg) Screened Porch | .jpg) Living Room | .jpg) Open Patio |  Pass Club | .jpg) Side Parking |
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| Contact info: | | Carol Stewart | Gasparilla Properties | | 941-276-1162 | For sale by agent/broker |
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Posted: Jun 24, 2010, 6:11am PDT |
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