Harbor Acres

Should Sarasota decide to hold a “Best Neighborhood in Town” contest, Harbor Acres can easily emerge as one of the top candidates, with its ideal location between Sarasota Bay and the Tamiami Trail elevating this community among the leading choices.

Known as “West of the Trail” in the Sarasota real estate market, this coveted strip is just minutes away from downtown Sarasota and at the same time hosts many of the city’s amenities as well. The corridor of South Orange Avenue, which borders Harbor Acres, serves as the community’s link to the city center. 

Picks of Inland and Waterfront Sarasota Homes

Harbor Acres exudes additional charm as an idyllic post-World War II development platted with 171 home sites meticulously laid out in the natural peninsulas within the property. Its canals were dredged and widened to make these waterways navigable for large boats. The lots in this community range in size from one-third of an acre to a full acre, and over half of these sits on the waterfront.

There are three main sections at Harbor Acres, two of which comprise the waterfront residences clustered at Harbor Drive and at Hillview Street and its appending Vista Drive. The third section generally consists of the inland houses including those along the row fronting Orange Avenue.

Ranch-Style Sarasota Home for Sale

Many of the community’s inland residences are original builds in Harbor Acres, custom Florida ranch-style dwellings that have been expanded and updated over the years. Plenty of the first homes in the community have also been torn down to give way to new construction.

Harbor Acres homes for sale which are of newer vintage would typically be found on Harbor Drive. For mansions, prospective buyers can try searching for available listings at Vista Drive which has larger lots and abound with taller trees.

Eclectic and Friendly Residents

These residences combine in a friendly neighborhood with meandering low-traffic streets that offer a perfect setting for residents to meet and socialize as they exercise, walk friendly dogs, and bike with friends and family.

Residents of all ages have found comfort in the community’s varied home styles and sizes.  Bayfront Sarasota homes for sale in Harbor Acres typically feature a floor plan of about 6,400 square feet designed with five bedrooms, five full baths and a half-bath. Available inland dwellings can be relatively smaller, with a floor area of approximately 1,600 square feet featuring two bedrooms and two baths.

Harbour Acres properties get an added boost from their proximity to the Hillview District. This locality, which is also popularly known as the Flower Streets, hosts several classy clubs, shops and dining venues. Alternative choices are also just east of Harbor Acres at the Southside Village.

The health care facilities of Sarasota Memorial Hospital are likewise close to Harbor Acres. In fact, many of the doctors in this hospital have settled in this community to the point that Sarasota old-timers often refer to this neighborhood as “Doctors’ Acres.” Be that as it may, Harbor Acres has also attracted plenty of top company executives, businessmen, professionals, empty-nesters and retirees drawn by this community’s bayfront charm and idyllic character.