Ballentine Manor Estates- Sarasota, FLFormerly a pineapple plantation, Ballentine Manor Estates was named after Frederick Ballentine, a prominent real estate broker from New Jersey. In 1925, Ballentine purchased 119 acres south of Whitfield Estates which were ideally situated on the widest section of Sarasota Bay. The focal point of the subdivision was a bay front drive designed to provide all lot owners an unobstructed view across the bay and was marketed for its estate-size lots. Houses built on interior lots were to cost no less than $7,500 and homes that faced the bay were to cost at least $15,000. The architecture was restricted to Spanish, Moorish and Venetian with tile roofs and had to be approved by the developer before construction began. During the first year, development progressed as planned, but because of poor access to the site the ability to market the property was severely hindered. In 1926 the land boom had collapsed which left all development in Florida at a standstill for two decades. Unlike most, Ballentine did not lose his property through foreclosure and was able to complete his subdivision in 1950. Mr. Ballentine’s foresight to create large lots and open up the bay views for all residents in the neighborhood has proven to be the subdivision’s most sustaining quality. | More Local Area InformationThe jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is a vibrant and dynamic area known for its rich history, culture and award-winning beaches. From al... Read moreWhen people choose Florida as a vacation destination, the reason is almost always traceable to the state’s warm, year-round, sunny climate; it... Read moreWhitfield Estates, Florida, also known as a “dream city” to local residents, was officially established in 1926, though extravagant plan... Read moreSiesta Key, a barrier island the runs parallel from mid-town to southern Sarasota, is one of the most popular places to live or visit on Florida’... Read moreLongboat Key and its sister islands St. Armand’s, Lido & Bird Keys, serve as the northern barrier islands for the Sarasota area. Bordered to the wes... Read moreNestled just to the south of Tampa Bay, Bradenton is a quickly growing area with a rich history. Taking advantage of the wonderful location, man... Read moreLocated along the shores of the Manatee River, the town of Ellenton is set directly between Sarasota and St. Petersburg. It is an ideal location fo... Read moreCasey Key, Florida, is a barrier island that shares waterways with its neighbors, the Island of Venice to the south and Siesta Key to the north. A... Read moreBeautiful and historic Palmetto, Florida, is located in Manatee County, just north of the Manatee River and nestled along the Gulf of Mexico. Tw... Read moreThe town of Bradenton Beach, Florida is incomparable to any other in the U.S. Because of its exclusive location on the southern end of Anna Mari... Read moreThe northernmost in the chain of barrier islands off the southwest coast of Florida, Anna Maria Island, FL. is home to three separate villages – Ann... Read moreLocated to the south of Sarasota, Venice is a very distinctive town with an almost double-identity. The mainland is an area of economic growth an... Read moreThe biggest “little city” in Florida, North Port is one of the state’s most newly-developed areas. Encompassing over 120 square miles, the city i... Read moreOne of the most beautiful “small towns” in Florida, Englewood is a Gulf-front community set along the border of Sarasota and Charlotte counties... Read moreLocated between Fort Myers and Sarasota, our service area, including Port Charlotte, North Port, Punta Gorda and Englewood, offers an array o... Read moreManasota Key is a charming barrier island just north of Charlotte Harbor and west of Englewood. A truly unspoiled location, the island has n... Read moreLocated along Lemon Bay, just southwest of Englewood in Charlotte County, Grove City is a small town of less than 2 square miles. Originally a lemo... Read moreA charming and historic village on the Grand Barrier Island of Gasparilla, Boca Grande is located midway between Sarasota and Ft. Myers. It sit... Read morePunta Gorda is now a destination, not a pass-thru community. It has been cited in the past by the travel and news industry as being one of the “Bes... Read moreTampa, Florida provides its residents with one of the most sought-after lifestyles in the nation. It’s easy to see why Tampa natives love livin... Read more |
