COMMUNITIES

Introducing Little Harbor, the biggest waterfront living experience on Tampa Bay. This one-of-a-kind coastal village presents an enchanting combination of beach, bay, river and harbor-front residential homes and resort-style residences along with a colorful mix of amenities that evoke the grace of a bygone Caribbean lifestyle.

The harmonious blend of Anglo-Caribbean architecture, evokes a gentler time and place, touched with the modern, free-spirited style of vibrant coastal Florida.

All nestled in harmony within a lush, tranquil setting, residents will enjoy a delightful array of natural wonders and amenities set to the rhythm of laid-back tropical charm.

Deep water marina with Yacht Club. Beach Club / Fitness / Dining / Racquet Club. Townhomes and Single Family Homes starting in the low $500K's

Contact Linda for more information

SARASOTA HAPPENING

"It is exciting to see that our downtown will become a place where people truly live and not just work or shop. I support the majority of the concepts planned for Pineapple Square, The Quay and the Benderson project. Let’s hope that our developers can find unique, independent operators with which to populate their projects and not take the easy way out. Now is the time to think about whether we want our downtown to become a cookie-cutter environment or if we want it to be unique destination. I hope we vote for originality!" -Michael Klauber, Co-owner of Michael's On East and President of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

Launch of New Luxury Homes at The Founders Club

Five of the area’s luxury home builders have joined The Founders Club in exhibiting ten new homes that are available within this private, gated community, says Tom Brown, partner with Jay Tallman in U.S. Assets Group, which is developing The Founders Club with The Starling Group. The Founders Club will be hosting the model openings on five consecutive weekends, through March 4-5, with a different builder featured each weekend.

“We chose our builders very carefully and are pleased with the outstanding homes they are creating,” Brown says. They have designed the elegant homes in The Founders Club in adherence with strict architectural and landscaping standards, Brown says, noting that no two will be alike.

The Founders Club encompasses 700 acres, with 425 acres set aside for the golf course and natural preserves. Only 262 homes can ever be built on the grounds. Situated on homesites 200 feet deep, they are strategically nestled around an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by the renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Homes range from 3,200 square feet, with prices beginning from the $400,000s for homesites and from the low $1 millions for home and homesite.

Pineapple Square Goes Before the City Commission

The City Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed Pineapple Square project this afternoon at 2:30pm at City Hall. Pineapple Square is a mixed-use project that calls for the creation of 40-45 additional shops and restaurants in the area around State Street and Lemon Avenue to include a mix of both national and local retailers, residential units, public parking and an innovative architectural breezeway structure. Potential tenants currently include P.F. Chang's, Morton's Steak House, a CVS, Pastry Art (currently on Main Street) and space for additional local retail and restaurants. Those interested in voicing their thoughts on the project and the potential economic benefits to Downtown Sarasota are encouraged to participate in the process by emailing the commissioners today or attending the meeting. For a detailed agenda, visit www.sarasotagov.com.

Thanks to SRQ Magazine for these tidbits

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Making your home more attractive and comfortable couldn't be easier. There are so many new products on the market and most of these products can be researched in depth at your favorite home improvement superstore. Or, you can let your keyboard do the walking by doing a web search for the latest scoop.

Here are a few ideas:

Decks and stairs that are made from a combination of reclaimed plastics and waste wood. They're environmentally friendly and require minimal care.

Home entertainment systems now come pre-wired and zoned, with room to room controls and networked cable television.

Brass doorknobs, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, cabinetry hardware that won't tarnish (not ever!)

Vinyl windows continue to improve with great insulating properties, less leakage, more noise abatement and smoother action. They also add tremendous re-sale value to your home, when that time comes.

Dual paned patio doors with the mini-blinds between the panes. No more rattling, no more attempts at the impossible dusting and no more bending of the slats.

Vinyl fencing that never needs paint and is of no interest to termites. And the styles are improving every day.

Lightweight concrete roof tiles in a variety of lovely styles to grace even the most traditional architecture.

No-leak skylights that are easy to install, some with remote controls.

Vinyl wood planking that's extremely handsome, indestructible and perfect for kitchens, baths, high traffic areas like foyers and kids' rooms.

Acrylic glass block that is lightweight, easy to install and offers the same qualities of privacy and natural light as the original.

These are just a few of the new and exciting amenities for your home, and the list is growing! Check out home improvement and decorating magazines, your home improvement store and the Internet for the latest, most up-to-date extras for your home.