Gated condominium neighborhood in Sarasota appeals to families | Market Snapshot

Admirals Walk on Clark Road near I-75 is one of Sarasota’s pleasant condominium neighborhoods. Combining great location, excellent amenities and affordability, the gated community has 249 units in two-story buildings and 490 parking spaces. In keeping with the nautical name, the architectural design is New England colonial style with frame construction.

The condos come in 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom floor plans, with living space ranging from 848 to 1,499 square feet. Exterior stairs lead up to the second-floor units.  Many of them have vaulted ceilings or lofts that can be converted into an additional bedroom. Every unit, even the smaller ones, come with their own private washer and dryer, an attractive feature for many buyers.

More than half of the buildings sit on the two lakes with water sparkling fountains. The rest back onto greenbelts and a small natural preserve that is part of the eastern section of the neighborhood. All the exteriors were repainted and redone three-and-half years ago, so everything looks pretty and new.

Admirals Walk created considerable interest when it was developed from 2002 to 2004. Then the recession hit, and everything slowed down.

“During the real estate crash, they were giving condos away. Now the prices are where they should be,” said Gloria Totti-Cervoni, a realtor with Michael Saunders and Company. “You can still get a very good deal there.”

She started selling condos in Admirals Walk in 2004 and likes the community. “For the prices you get a lot,” she said.

Her unit at 5721 Soldier Circle, 104, is a 1-bed, 1-bath condo, priced at $199,000. “It’s great for a vacation getaway or a rental,” she said “My owners have used it that way. They have another, larger condo in the complex for their residence.”

Rental contracts require a minimum of seven months lease. Most residents sing up for a full year or longer “It keeps the community stable,” said Totti-Cervoni. “There is not a lot of turnover.”

The demographics of Admirals Walk include retirees, empty nesters, seasonal residents, and families with younger and older children. “Lot of people have been here for a while because of the location,” said Rachelle Golden, also a realtor with Michael Saunders.

She has a pending sale at 5521 Rosehill Road 203, a 3-bed, 2-batah condo with 1,321 square feet under air and an asking price of $329,900. “It has a nice water view,” she said. “With the way it’s situated in a corner, it is more private than some of the other units.”

Parents appreciate that schools for lower grades, Ashton Elementary and Sarasota Middle, as well as New Gate Montessori, are all less than a mile away. The district high school is Riverview.

Families also like the close proximity of Twin Lakes Park, just a mile to the east on Clark Road. The 123-acre recreational facility is a training base for major and minor league baseball teams. Amenities include has football and soccer fields, a children’s playground, a large picnic pavilion and open space that can be rented for available for special events like family reunions, weddings, corporate picnics, dog shows and concerts.

The Clark Road entrance to I-75 is just a few hundred yards to the east. In the opposite direction. Siesta Key and its world-renowned beaches is a 15-minute drive via the Stickney Point Bridge.

There are restaurants, shops, and banks on the other side of Clark Road at Palmer Crossing, including a Publix grocery store, a Walmart Neighborhood Market, Beall’s, Gecko’s Bar & Grill, Chic Filet and Appleby’s. Not far to the west, across Honore Avenue, the smaller Palmer Plaza has another Publix, Pop’s Bicycle Shop, and the Banyan Café, which serves food and makes delicious hand-crafted chocolate.

Amenities in Admirals Walk feature a clubhouse with a large gym and a heated swimming pool and spa. The community center also has a billiard room, a kitchen, a conference room with internet access, and a small library. “Before Covid, there were lots of activities for residents,” said Golden. “Now they’re gearing up again.”

Membership in the Admirals Walk homeowners association is required, with dues based on a unit’s square footage. For Totti-Cervoni’s condo, the smallest available, the fees are $191 a month. For Golden’s unit, they are $468 a month.  Fees cover all exterior maintenance, upkeep of common areas, and water and sewer.

Currently, Zillow shows six condos for sale in Admirals Walk, ranging in price from $194,900 to $365,000.