Surrounded by four bodies of water, Lido Key is a barrier island located just to the west of downtown Sarasota. This picturesque community offers pristine white sand beaches and a wide array of outdoor activities. Residents and visitors enjoy an abundance of recreational activities from deep sea fishing, bicycling, sailing to kayaking or paddle boarding along with manatee and dolphin in the clear azure waters surrounding the island. In the evening take in the spread of the spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Mexico and the distant lights of Sarasota’s shoreline.
Popular St Armands Circle offers residents and visitors elegant boutiques and award winning restaurants and is a short drive or walk from Lido Key homes. Lido Key’s mild weather invites the visitor to linger in the circle for home made ice-cream or specialty shops. Over 130 stores and restaurants of St Armands Circle ensure that everyone will find something of interest.
Residential opportunities on Lido Key range from architecturally significant Sarasota School of Architecture, custom homes, high end luxury condominiums to classic Florida beach Bungalows.
Development of Lido Key started when John Ringling bought Lido Key in the 1920s. He envisioned that the Island would become an international shopping destination with Lido Key as the residential extension.
While America was pulling itself out of The Depression, John Ringling and Owen Burns were building the Lido Beach Casino beautifully designed by architect Ralph Twitchell. Host to numerous Big Bands and Hollywood starlets and boasting of a ballroom for dancing, dining room for fine dining, a cocktail lounge for proms and political rallies and a swimming pool as well as the beach, Lido Beach Casino was the focal point of Sarasota’s social life. The casino was demolished in 1969 and the Lido Beach Pavilion now sits on the site – the Casino’s swimming pool is the only piece that remains.
