REAL Exclusive Magazine

Bonaire At Spice Bay

The Dutch West Indies Meets Siesta Key

By Ed Bertha

West Indies style, specifically Dutch and British, is a style with deep historical roots adapting well to Florida living. It is a popular topic, and a trending style, that new construction is interpreting, specifically in coastal areas of Florida. To me, it is a collection of ideas, most often idealizing function, that are leading to a new reform on architecture. With Perrone Construction’s recent venture, the Bonaire at Spice Bay, they are continuing to define the West Indies construction trend. Let’s visit the West Indies, Spice Bay and the Bonaire.

The West Indies, a group of islands at the intersection of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, have a rich and diverse history, the architecture there is reflected in that history. West Indies architecture, whether it be Dutch, British or French is derived from the old world architecture of the settlers of those islands. The old world styles were adapted to the conditions, lifestyle and available materials found in the Caribbean. The homes became and have remained a very practical adaptation of a formal style, exuding a sense of casual elegance.

Spice Bay, a Siesta Key enclave of 14 half acre home sites, is Perrone Construction’s display of a very defined and architecturally correct rendition of West Indies style. Patriarch Richard Perrone shares, “Ultimately we agreed this area of land (Spice Bay) exuded a natural Florida feel and emanated an old world charm fitting with the architectural styles of the Dutch and British West Indies.” The land that Spice Bay is built on radiates the old world charm Richard refers to with its masses of old oak trees, lush natural foliage and 450’ lineal feet of bay frontage topped by warm tropical breezes.

Before hitting the drawing board the Perrone family spent a significant amount of time researching the West Indies styles and traveling the Caribbean. They not only studied multiple architectural aspects, but the West Indies lifestyles as well that aided in the home’s designs. Son Ryan explains, “We traveled through the Caribbean; Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Puerto Rico. We did it to get a thorough understanding of the architecture, character and detailing of the homes. The lifestyle became just as important as the architecture.” Richard continues, “We looked at styles conducive to ‘Florida Living’ and to a past that we wished to return to. We were interested in developing a home that was very connected from the inside and outside. We’ve built homes for over 33 years and wanted to be at the forefront of bringing in something fresh to Sarasota.”

The homes in Spice Bay sit behind an impressive gated entrance of coral stone. Richard recalls, “Our first stop in the Caribbean was Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The moment I saw the cobblestone streets I knew that was the look we wanted to emulate.” He adds, “The way the cobblestone road meanders throughout the neighborhood, and the similarity of the material to its Caribbean counterpart, are just a couple of the many little things that give Spice Bay its character.” Each home in Spice Bay will be unique as each of the home sites. Four home sites are situated directly on Little Sarasota Bay, all have direct access to the bay and use of the neighborhood’s kayak launch, fishing pier and optional boat slips.

Perrone’s first home in Spice Bay, finished in British West Indies style, garnered national attention, received an Aurora Award for the Southeast United States and was a local Parade of Homes winner. The newly completed home I toured was named after the Caribbean island of Bonaire, and translates to “Good Air”. The Bonaire is a Dutch West Indies interpretation in Perrone’s “Jewel Box” series of homes and the residence already took honors locally as Home of the Year.

The Bonaire is a Jewel Box home and achieves its charm and character through the use of subtle details. Just under 4,000 square feet, every aspect of the home has a point and purpose. One of the many things I most appreciated was the clean lines of the details, and how each worked methodically in the home’s composition. Standing at the front entry, patches of soft green grasses are situated just as carefully as an area rug between the interior sofas. Two sets of large mullion glass French doors flank a wide floor to ceiling clear pane of glass, creating the feeling that there is not a clear division between interior and exterior living. Unique exterior architectural details are seen from the interior, framed by the masses of windows. Interior and exterior spaces meld together and seamlessly extend one to the other. Something very intentionally and thoughtfully created throughout the home by the architect and the Perrones.

I ask Richard about the views and after a pensive moment he looks up and explains, “We wanted this home to speak to indoor and outdoor living. It is more about a lifestyle that we all really value in this region and why many are drawn to Sarasota. In designing this home we focused on the rooms having a view of the exterior space’s architectural details. We wanted to create a continual inside/outside feeling from function and style. The views encourage enjoying the outside, taking in the tropics. We studied current design, specifically interior/exterior utilization and there was a disconnect. Here you look out and see meaningful, beautiful architecture, not just the side of a house.”

Realtor Lynne Koy adds “This home is designed with a view from nearly every room in the house.” She walks to another window and complements, “Viewing this home is art.” I agree with her but the Bonaire is so quiet, modest, soft, and comfortable. Art evokes emotion and this home certainly provokes a feeling of peace, comfort, simplicity and ease; the tropics.

Ironically, with all the details that the Perrones pondered and worked  closely with the architect and interior designer, Richard calls my attention back outside to ask me if I notice something different about the roof. As my eyes make their way to the roof I gaze up the stairwell that has a shape reminiscent of Nautilus and I stop to admire a pattern of four harlequin diamond cutouts at the side of the guest suite second floor terrace.

Richard volunteers “I spent an entire Saturday afternoon drawing those diamonds, laying them out, again and again. I wanted them to be perfect.” And you could see in his expression that he felt a strong sense of satisfaction and pride just in that subtle detail. He’s a big picture thinker that does not neglect even the smallest details, not only those in the home but in the subdivision as well.

Back to the roof he asks, “Do you notice something different about this roof?” On first glance the white tiles are very clean, symmetrical and look very unobtrusive but amazing. My grandfather owned a roofing company so I really felt I should know the answer. I studied the roof closely and was at a standstill with an answer when Richard politely chimed in, “It has no ridge tile.” Ah ha, I thought to myself.

He continued to explain that when roofs are constructed in this manner, they actually cut the tile to fit the roof (similar to installing a tile floor). This process was used on the Bonaire, handcrafting the roof, eliminating the need for the commonly acceptable ridge tile, something very frequently used in roofing. This is just another example of Perrone’s dedication to creating the ultimate West Indies home. “It would have been a very attractive roof even with the ridge tile but that one subtle change really added to the character of the home and brought it closer to its Caribbean counterparts. In our studies of each home we build we look for areas that we can get the most mileage out of a dollar in terms of architectural appeal. On this home that was one of those areas”

While studying the roof system, I notice a very soft repetition of the harlequin diamonds used in the exterior. Again Richard smiles, “Thank you for noticing.” These small details, extremely subtle and minimalistic, just add to the “art” of this property and neighborhood. Elements that I believe bring the wow factor to the Bonaire and Spice Bay.

Builder: Richard Perrone Perrone Construction

Architect: John Cooney Stoffit Cooney Architects

Interior Design & Staging: Pamela Hughes Hughes Design Associates

Landscape Design: Stephen Hazeltine Hazeltine Nurseries

As of press time the Bonaire is pending contract. Click on the link below to view Perrone’s next home in Spice Bay, the British West Indies inspired Antigua.

The Bonaire at Spice Bay
1220 Sharswood Lane, Siesta Key
MLS# A3968053 $2,349, 000
4 BR 4/2 BA – 3,966 Sq Ft A/C

The Antigua at Spice Bay
1214 Sharswood Lane, Siesta Key
MLS #A3973431 $2,200,000
3 BR 3/1 BA – 3,141 Sq Ft A/C

For information on The Antigua at Spice Bay contact:

Lynne Koy
Previews Property Specialist
Broker/Associate, CRB, CRS, GRI
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1
Longboat Key, FL 34228
LKoy@ColdwellBanker.com
(941) 544.5117

Specifications subject to change

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