Lands End

Lands End occupies one of the most distinctive corners of Longboat Key, a gated enclave of just twelve residences at the island's northern tip. The homes are custom, contemporary designs set among dense tropical landscaping along a natural bayou off Sarasota Bay, a setting that draws wading birds and excellent fishing right to the doorstep. Though the residences live like single-family homes, the community is structured as a condominium association, keeping grounds care off the owner's plate.

Shared amenities are woven into the landscape rather than laid out around a clubhouse. A community pool and a tennis and pickleball court sit hidden in the trees, and common docks on the bayou give owners water access for boating and fishing. The overall feel is quiet and naturalistic, a slice of Old Florida that has become rare on the island.

The setting borders historic Longbeach Village, so the Shore, Mar Vista, and Whitney's are all within an easy stroll, and the Gulf beach is a short walk across the island. Anna Maria Island sits just across the pass to the north, with the rest of Longboat Key's shops and dining down Gulf of Mexico Drive to the south.