REAL Exclusive Magazine

Granada Park

West Of Trail, Sarasota

Sarasota’s Best Kept Secret, Not For Long

By Ed Bertha

Layout by Christian Lunardi

Located on four plus acres near the corner of Bay Street and Osprey Avenue is Granada Park. Conveniently tucked between downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key’s white sand, Granada Park is a private gated community of 25 home sites with mature trees and a focal point lake with a mesmerizing fountain. Originally started in late 2007, only nine homes were built leaving 16 lots to be filled.

Then MGB Homes (also known as My Green Buildings), a luxury home builder, co-owned by Stephen Ellis and Grant Castilow stepped in. “We don’t typically build in communities,” says Ellis. “But as exclusive builders here, we can control the quality, so we felt it was a good fit for us.”

Originally, Granada Park was planned as a multi-use development with homes, a clubhouse, as well as, three-story condo and apartment buildings. Over the past two plus years, MGB, has redone the landscaping, constructed a pool and cabana, built two new homes, and fashioned a model home (which recently went under contract).

“The reason it took so long is that we had to track down all the individual property owners and banks to get them to sign off. Then we could close out, re-plat, and begin construction,” Ellis shares. Through the re-platting process, the condo association was disbanded and a homeowners’ association installed, resulting in an increase in homeowner value around $100,000 per home.

Granada Park is based on “cluster housing” where the homes are built on small lots and are close to each other. This takes some careful planning, but MGB has risen to the occasion. Under their guidance, the development is now permitted for family homes and continues the coastal craftsman style of homes originally envisioned. Of interest, Granada Park has one of the highest walkability scores, 65, of any new neighborhood in Sarasota. Walkability scores are calculated based on the distance to amenities such as grocery stores, schools, parks, libraries and restaurants.

MGB’s homes feature design elements such as porches, tapered columns and all are two stories. Many of the homes have complete outdoor living areas on the second floor. The recently sold “Hibiscus” model had a second story summer kitchen, sitting area with an incredible view and fireplace that is absolutely charming. If that’s not enough, the home included extra storage space. MGB’s version of a “Florida Basement” is a large air-conditioned attic room with over 7 feet of headroom to store seasonal items and memorabilia!

MGB offers 7 predesigned home plans, or you can custom build. MGB’s Granada Park homes hover around the $1 million plus price point and range from 2,400 square feet to over 3,000 plus square feet. All feature open living areas and are beautifully crafted. With MGB at the helm all homes include built in smart and green components. Granada Park is an alternative to the new downtown condo craze, with more space and no upstairs/downstairs neighbors, for the same or less investment.

In contrast with other construction where the second story is fabricated from plywood, MGB uses solid concrete construction throughout. Inside, the cabinets are custom made with solid wood, doors are solid core and the “Smart Home” automation controls lets the owners manage lights, music and air conditioning throughout the house from an iPad.

MGB’s eco-friendly features include impact-resistant windows and an attic that maintains 80 degrees, even when the summer sun is beating down. Each home comes with Florida Green Building Coalition certification representing reduced operating and maintenance expenses, better indoor air quality, durable construction techniques and improved resale value. These homes are well built, hurricane hardened and will stand the test of time. Don’t wait to preview Granada Park as the remaining lots are going fast.

Granada Park, grab your bike and ride to Siesta Key for sunset and then Southside Village for socializing. It’s just a short pedal away.

Granada Park
MGB Fine Custom Homes
3839 Pomegranate Place
Sarasota FL 34239
(941) 552.9936

granadapark@michaelsaunders.com
Granada Park web site

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