Most Sarasota condos blur together. Two bedrooms, two baths, a lanai, and you’re done. But tucked away on Golden Gate Point sits a penthouse that throws that playbook straight into the bay.
Ray Collins, Global Luxury Realtor and former TV news anchor, recently toured a property that reads less like a typical condo and more like a custom-built resort someone accidentally left behind. The numbers alone hint at why: nine thousand square feet spread across three levels, with a four-car garage and exclusive rooftop access—amenities you’d sooner find in a private mansion than in a high-rise building.
The story gets richer when you learn the backstory. Twenty-plus years ago, the building’s developer designed these top floors as his own personal residence. When he moved on, the next owner—who apparently had the largest yacht moored at the adjacent marina—scooped up the penthouse primarily to keep his collection of expensive cars steps away from the dock. Call it the ultimate commute shortcut. The result? A rarely-lived-in, exceptionally preserved space with minimal wear.
Step off the private elevator (yes, code-protected), and you’re greeted by a 180-degree sweep of Sarasota Bay, with Lido and Longboat Keys stretched across the horizon. The ceiling soars twenty-five feet high, and the guest bathroom alone is opulent enough to stop you in your tracks—complete with a ceiling-mounted bathtub faucet that cascades like a waterfall.
The primary suite occupies the tenth floor and reads like a high-end spa retreat. Picture an oversized clock: you enter at the 6, with the bedroom at the 2, a sprawling walk-in closet at the 4, and dual bathrooms bookending the space at the 8 and 10. It’s resort living above the water, with no daily hassle in sight.
But wait—there’s one more level. The rooftop belongs entirely to this unit, outfitted with a private kitchenette and unobstructed views perfect for Sarasota’s summer fireworks season. In a market where square footage and exclusivity usually mean compromises elsewhere, this penthouse refuses to play that game. The price tag of $6.9 million reflects that rarity.
