The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 11 No. 16 - January 19, 2011

REAL ESTATE

La Casa Costiera - a bit of Italy on the Island

Real Estate

SUN PHOTO/LOUISE BOLGER
La Casa Costiera, a boutique luxury condominium in
Holmes Beach, brings Italy's Amalfi coast to the Island.

Have you been to the Amalfi Coast or as the Italians call it Amalfi Costiera? If not, you'll be happy to learn that without packing a bag or buying an airline ticket you can have that glorious Mediterranean experience right in your own back yard.

I last profiled La Casa Costiera at 73 Street and Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach about two years ago, midway between the real estate downturn and the beginning of the recovery. Since this boutique luxury condominium embodies much of what Anna Maria Island is all about, I decided to take another look.

La Casa Costiera is a really unique 12 unit complex directly on the Gulf with a wide expanse of beach at its door. The upscale development was designed by the talented Emily Anne Smith and built by Brent Whitehead, both of whom have done many projects on Anna Maria. Architectural features include arches, interior columns and high ceilings with each unit having a different design and the feel of a home rather than a condo with windows on most sides.

Interior amenities include granite counter tops, wet bars, wine coolers, surround sound, elevators, electric fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, but it's the exterior location that makes La Casa Costiera special. Six of the twelve units have direct water views from their Gulffront terraces or balconies. Two of these are ground level stand alone buildings built on the footprint of what was once part of a Gulffront motel.

The remaining six units front on Gulf Drive with a pool, spa, gazebo and barbeque area separating it from the Gulffront buildings. The units have about 2,000 square feet, most with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, all have balconies and/or terraces. Parking is assigned under building and rentals are permitted.

La Casa Costiera was built in 2005 with units selling between $1,300,000 and $1,560,000. There were no sales in 2010 and currently there are four on the market with local brokers ranging between $1,299,000 and $1,899,000, some being sold furnished and professionally decorated.

For buyers looking for Gulffront luxury who want the feel of a home without the responsibility, La Casa Costiera could be the perfect choice and an opportunity to buy at 2005 prices.

Sunny Italy and sunny Anna Maria have a lot in common. Only the blue waters of Anna Maria can be reached without going through airport security. La Casa Costiera – the Amalfi Coast barefoot style.

Real Estate Transactions
Closed sales between Aug. 2 and Oct. 9, 2010

Anna Maria

721 North Shore Single family $1,100,000
512 Bayview Place Single family 800,000
216 Palm Ave. Single family 699,000
104 Maple Ave. Single family 667,500
309 S. Bay Blvd. Single family 425,000
780 Jacaranda Rd. Duplex 357,500
216 Archer Way Single family 332,500
204 Archer Way Single family 300,000
333 Tarpon St. Lot 300,000

Bradenton Beach

500 Bay Dr. S. Single family $965,200
2317 Ave. C #300 Condo 315,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #165Condo 300,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #166Condo 300,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #164Condo 285,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #161Condo 285,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #264Condo 280,500
501 Gulf Drive N. #103Condo 240,000
1325 Gulf Drive N. #163Condo 239,800
501 Gulf Drive N. #305Condo 227,000
2211 Ave. C Single family 220,000
2311 Canasta Drive Single family 165,000
2412 Gulf Drive. N. #125Condo 160,000
2412 Gulf Drive N. #224Condo 155,000
2412 Gulf Drive N. #225Condo 155,000
1603 Gulf Drive N. #18Condo 150,000
1603 Gulf Drive N. #19Condo 150,000
117 Seventh St. N. #9 Condo 150,000
1603 Gulf Drive N. #33Condo 109,000
107 Sixth St. S. Single family 100,000
2503 Gulf Drive N. #302Condo 100,000
1603 Gulf Drive N. #34Condo 70,000

Cortez

12909 42nd Terr. W. Single family $1,025,000
11900 Cortez Rd. W. RV resort
#10, #17, #28, #45 Multi-units 619,700
4224 Marina Ct. Condo 525,000
3860 Mariners Way #413Condo 274,900
12329 Baypointe Terr. Lot 140,000

Holmes Beach

528 72nd St. Single family $1,450,000
3212 Gulf Drive Single family 1,300,000
616 Hampshire Lane Single family 775,000
3009 Ave. F Duplex 763,500
403 80th St. Condo 595,000
203 76th St. Condo 584,500
525 74th St. Single family 550,000
612 North Point Drive Single family 525,000
303 61st St. #A Condo 510,000
209 69st St. Duplex 480,000
6200 Flotilla Drive #273 Condo 480,000
227 85th St. Single family 440,000
517 70th St. Single family 416,500
203 82 St. Condo 400,000
519 77th St. Single family 400,000
405 N. Harbor Drive Single family 400,000
614 Concord Lane Single family 399,900
506 74 St. Single family 390,000
405 74 St. Condo 375,000
3706 Gulf Drive. Single family 370,000
6250 Holmes Blvd. #70 Condo 355,000
6200 Flotilla Drive #274 Condo 365,000
322 64 St. Condo 350,000
207 55 St. Single family 305,000
4104 6 Ave. Condo 285,200
609 Emerald Lane Single family 285,000
2903 Ave. B Duplex 278,000
3703 5 Ave. #3 Condo 270,000
309 58 St. Duplex 270,000
3207 6 Ave. Single family 260,000
3803 East Bay Drive #2 Condo 260,000
6919 Holmes Blvd. Half duplex 250,000
2805 Gulf Drive Single family 249,000
3702 Sixth Ave. #4 Condo 230,000
504 Key Royale Drive Single family 223,000
2705 Ave. C Single family 200,900
2710 Ave. C Single family 160,000

Source: Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office


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