Longboat Key Real Estate
Longboat Key is both a town and a barrier island located between Anna Maria Island to the north and Lido Key to the south, just off Florida's central west coast. The lower end of Long Boat Key is directly west from downtown Sarasota across Sarasota Bay. Longboat Key features a wide variety of homes, from luxurious condos to golf course townhomes, and stately beachside residences.
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Longboat Key Community Information
Longboat Key has two road access points via bridges at the north and south ends of the island. State Road 789, also known as the Gulf of Mexico Drive, connects these by running the entire length of the island. Taking the bridge south to Lido Key, you'll pass the Lido Shores area on your way to St. Armands, and then either the rest of Lido Key or downtown Sarasota to the east.
There is a central village at the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Bay Isles Parkway. In this area, you can find the town hall, post office, and the Shoppes of Bay Isles shopping center with Publix, CVS, and Chase Bank.
The north half of the island is situated in Manatee County, while the south is in Sarasota County.
Longboat Key History
The first Europeans to see Longboat Key were likely Spanish explorers and pirates. Over time, the island became home to various squatters, fishermen, and farmers. Official settlement began in the late 19th-century, but the land was still primarily used for farming fruits of various kinds.
Road access came in 1929 with a bridge to St. Armands. During WW2 the island was used for bombing training.
Previously named "Longbeach", the town changed its name to Longboat Key in 1955. Largescale development began to gain speed from the 1960s onwards.
Homes and Properties on Longboat Key
There are approximately 8,800 housing units on Longboat Key. Most of these are either single-family homes or apartment condos.
Apartment condominiums on Longboat Key are usually built within mid to high-rise buildings, and come with a variety of amenities like pools, tennis courts, clubhouses, docks, and golf courses. The single-family homes on Longboat Key tend to be older - some as much as 45 years old - built in a variety of Florida beach home styles, from modern to traditional. These homes typically boast beach access and lush properties. In more recent years, older housing stock has been torn down and replaced with luxurious contemporary builds, complete with all the modern luxuries.
Longboat Key Amenities
Longboat Key offers the best of island living in Florida. There are miles of fine, white-sand beaches, canal, and beachside homes complete with docks and lanai pools, and a variety of exclusive country club facilities like boat moorings, tennis courts, and golf courses.
The Longboat Key Club has a number of courses distributed through the southern portion of Longboat Key.