Best-Kept Secret in Sarasota Real Estate: Central Park II
People often ask me about the ‘next great’ area of Sarasota—and I point out the up-and-coming Rosemary District, the possibilities of Gillespie Park…but in the back of my mind I can’t help but think of one of the best ideas of all that is right under our noses.
Central Park II is that condo complex you’ve driven by a hundred times. It’s on Tamiami Trail, near Sarasota Ford, across from the two-story Publix and at the fork of 41/301.
I don’t think the view from the street does it justice. It looks from the road like a hodge-podge of apartments with a lot of railings. But when you drive in, you quickly find out a) they are actually condos, b) it is reasonably-priced for such a central location and c) it backs up to the Hudson Bayou—so it’s a split-personality: You access the place from a busy street but it quickly becomes peaceful as you sit in one of the Adirondack chairs on the back dock and watch the manatees float by.
Prices: I sold a condo here for $500,000 a few years ago. Now that same-size condo might sell in the mid-$200’s. What’s changed? Everything. The post-Covid spike is over, interest rates are higher, hurricanes have caused insurance and monthly fees to increase and, in some cases, that tragedy across the state on Miami Beach where the condo building collapsed caused a domino effect that impacts places like Central Park II. (For the record, CP II has a healthy reserve fund and passed the newly required Milestone inspection.)
Location: If you were to cross the street in any direction, prices immediately go up. Yet—thanks in part to a little-known side gate—you can get into downtown Sarasota in a matter of minutes. It’s half a mile from: the bayfront to the west, Main Street to the north, the Legacy Trail to the east and Sarasota Memorial Hospital to the south. Publix is across the street and Payne Park is next to it.
Floor Plans: Central Park II is a series of one- and two-bedroom layouts. The largest is a 1226 square foot 2-bedroom 2.5 bathrooms two-floor townhouse. The smallest is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo that’s under 600 square feet. There are some great options in between, including two-bedroom ground floor units and one-bedroom two-story lofts.
Amenities: One of my friends said, “This is like a resort!” There is a well-lighted heated swimming pool and adjacent hot tub…a lighted court for tennis and pickleball—and such an active community for that, there is a sign-up sheet. There’s an adjacent clubhouse with a work-out room, library, kitchen, TV, meeting area, restrooms with showers and an attached community mailroom with an active bulletin board that advertises the clubs and committees available.
There’s also a dock for fishing or launching kayaks. There’s kayak and bike storage for a nominal annual fee.
Rental Policy: You can rent condos here for a minimum of a month. Rents range from $1500 to more than $5,000 pending the time of year, size of condo and length of lease. Buying a condo here is a terrific investment.
Did I mention I can help you buy a condo here? I’m currently listing two, and I’ve helped clients buy and sell 35 condos in Central Park II since 2021.
Am I a big fan of Central Park II? You bet.
Facebook page: Central Park II Sarasota
Ray Collins is a former TV news anchor, elected official, travel writer and now in the top 2% of Realtors in the Sarasota region. www.RayCollinsRealEstate.com
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