Click here to see our Real Estate Junkie discussing this Spanish Gem on ABC7.
It is thought – but not yet proven – that it was designed by the famous architect of the Ca’d Zan, Dwight James Baum. It has the same roof tiles that the Ringling mansion has and the same attention to detail, but on a much smaller and more manageable scale. The present owners have updated it a way that retains as many original touches as possible. There are beamed ceilings, colored glass windows, original tile in the bathrooms, and the yard contains some wonderful and ancient Cuban laurels.
The layout is somewhat eccentric but can work for a variety of purposes. The main house has a living room – with a magnificent fireplace – a sun room/den, two bedrooms, two baths, an updated kitchen, and a formal dinning room with an amazing mural of an all-girl orchestra serenading you during dinner. (BTW, it was painted by one of the owners, whose mother actually led the orchestra.)
There’s also a wonderful heated pool in an enclosed garden – it was added about 10 years ago but blends perfectly.
Out back is a guest cottage or office, with two rooms, a little kitchen and another bath.
The house is full of hand-painted motifs over the windows, French doors, wrought iron balconies, old wooden gates and doors. I’ve never seen a house in Sarasota that had so many original features still intact and beautifully maintained, or either added later but so well done you can’t tell that they aren’t original.