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        <title>Sarasota Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/st-armands-real-estate/</link>
        <description>Read the Sarasota real estate blog and news presented by John Allen. View the latest information at our real estate blog for Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and Casey Key Florida.</description>
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            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>History of St Armands Circle</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
St Armands Circle is an exclusive island located just off the coast of Sarasota, Florida that provides an unforgettable experience to visitors from around the world. Over 130 exclusive shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants surround a large European-style roundabout with a park in the middle.

The Beginning

Charles St. Amand, a French pioneer, purchased a Florida mangrove island located just west of the fishing village of Sarasota in 1893. The three tracts of land totaled about 131 acres. St. Amand settled in this area where he fished in the surrounding waters and raised produce. Land deeds later misspelled his name as &ldquo;Armand&rdquo; and the name eventually stuck. The island is today called St. Armands Key.

Circus Magnate John Ringling Develops the Concept

In 1917, the leading circus magnate in the country, John Ringling bought all of St. Armands Key, Bird Key and Lido Key. Ringling dreamed of a shopping plaza designed around a roundabout similar to those found in European cities. Luxury homes and resorts were planned for the area around Ringlings visionary &ldquo;Circle.&rdquo;

The John Ringling Causeway is Built

In the 1920s, crews of workers dredged St. Armands, Bird and Lido Keys canals. Sea walls were constructed along with sidewalks and streets. There was no bridge to access the islands so Ringling decided to&nbsp;build one. The connecting causeway to St. Armands from Sarasotas mainland was started in 1925 and completed a year later. Ringling opened the bridge and the John Ringling Estates himself by leading a parade across the causeway to St. Armands Circle where one of his circus bands performed. 

Real estate sales in Sarasota on opening day exceeded the $1 million estimate. Soon after the opening of the causeway, the Depression hit and Sarasotas real estate market collapsed and the Circle fell on hard times along with the entire country. In 1928, Ringling donated the Causeway to Sarasota County because he could no longer afford to maintain the bridge.

In the 1940s, investors, once again, set out to develop St. Armands. Restaurants were opened as well as a gas station. It took another 10 years or so before St. Armands shops and restaurants began to see some hope. By 1960s, St. Armands Circle was thriving and remains one of Floridas outstanding shopping centers, similar to famous Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Visitors and residents experience excellent dining, world-class shopping and an array of seasonal events, arts and crafts exhibits as well as musical performances by many local entertainers.

Take an afternoon and spend it on St. Armands Circle, where you can &ldquo;shop til you drop&rdquo; or wander through the Circles palm-lined streets and view outstanding Italian statuary from Ringlings own collection. Be sure to spend a few minutes in the Center of St. Armands Circle and enjoy Sarasotas Circus history brought to us by John Ringling.

Are you interested in exploring current listings? Visit our St Armands real estate section for more information and to view MLS listings for homes and condos surrounding St Armands Circle. Home prices start in the $400,000's and go up to over $8 million.
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            <pubDate>Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:40:44 -0400</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/sarasota-mls-search-tools-available-at-buysarasotacom.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>Sarasota MLS Search Tools Available at BuySarasota.com</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Searching the Sarasota MLS for homes and condos? Our sophisticated Sarasota real estate search system provides you the opportunity to search by Sarasota neighborhoods, condominiums or you can search the area with our Map Search or MLS number. 


We try to make searching for the Sarasota MLS easy, and our high powered real estate search engine leads you right to listing details, photos and virtual tour of homes and condos in Sarasota that meet your criteria. We also cover Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key and Casey Key.


Sarasota Neighborhood Search 


First, if you need neighborhood suggestions, check out our extensive Sarasota neighborhoods section first where you'll find detailed information on many of Sarasota's most popular communities. If you prefer maintenance-free living, head over to our comprehensive Sarasota condominiums section.


Start your MLS listing search by entering your neighborhood/subdivision or condo name into the search box, add a price range, provide us with as much information as you like: number of bedrooms and baths, approximate square footage and a construction date. Save your search in our system by checking the &quot;Save This Search As&quot; box, and well automatically send updates and new Sarasota MLS listings as soon as they hit the market. 


Sarasota MLS Map Search 


Many users enjoy using our powerful Sarasota MLS Map Search tool. Type in an area of the city, add a minimum and maximum price, insert the type of property, and add your bedroom preference. Scroll your cursor over the map until you reach a &ldquo;house&rdquo; icon. Details of the listing and picture the property are present. This Sarasota MLS search is fun, and youll be searching and dreaming for hours. 


Sarasota MLS Number Search 


If youve been watching a particular MLS listing and have the listing number, you can use our MLS number search. Just insert the number and hit the &ldquo;search&rdquo; button for quick access to the listing information. Time short for you? 


Tired of filling in blanks in a Sarasota MLS search forms, send John Allen a personal email or give him a call at 941-544-6467. Were ready to assist you in your search for a Sarasota home, and our team at Allen Real Estate Services, Inc. strives to find you the best property. Our agents cover all Sarasota County real estate including luxury waterfront properties as well as gated golf course communities. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:30:20 -0400</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.buysarasota.com/blog/st-armands-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>john@buysarasota.com (John Allen)</author>
            <title>St Armands Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
In 1917, John and Mable Ringling had a vision of making St. Armands real estate and the Circle a shopping and residential mecca when they purchased this mangrove key. Ringling constructed circular streets, a wooden bridge from the Sarasota mainland across Sarasota Bay from the land. Circus elephants were used to help in the construction of the streets and the bridge. The depression hit, and Ringling gifted the land to the City of Sarasota. The dream died for the Ringlings, but decades later, St. Armands got a second look from developers and present-day St. Armands was reborn.


Today St. Armands circular and palm lined streets remain as in Ringlings vision. In the center of St. Armands is a circular park honoring circus stars showing off Sarasotas rich circus heritage. The park is a popular spot for car shows, concerts and art events. Statues from Ringlings collection are sprinkled through the shopping area of St. Armands Circle.


Adding to the allure of St. Armands are hundreds of galleries, specialty shops, spas, restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors. Browsing on St. Armands Circle is a &ldquo;must&rdquo; for any visitor to Sarasota. This is the most &ldquo;happening&rdquo; spot!


St Armands Real estate showcases luxury St. Armands homes for sale surrounding the Circle and presents a beautiful backdrop for prestigious tropical estates and a few small &ldquo;old&rdquo; Florida style bungalows. Cascading fountains grace entrances to some palatial waterfront estates just off St. Armands Circle. Blooming bougainvillea drapes over walled properties providing privacy for many wealthy residents of St. Armands Key.


Two close-knit keys bordering St. Armands are Lido Key and Bird Key. Lido Key is a short walk from St. Armands and is home to one of Sarasotas famous beaches. If you are considering St. Armands real estate, take a look at Lido Key real estate as well. Lido Keys beachfront condos provide an alternative offering of maintenance-free beach living.


Bird Key homes are mostly built on water. This small enclave of homes is a boating community, and Bird Key residents have access to a world-class Yacht Club, as well as the close proximity to world-famous St. Armands Circle.


If you need more information on Lido Key, or Bird Key real estate or would like to search for Bird Key homes for sale, visit our main website or contact John Allen at 941-544-5467 for assistance.
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            <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 11:58:29 -0400</pubDate>
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