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SRQ DAILY Aug 6, 2014

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"We are excited to be selected as a home builder in The Lake Club and are committed to delivering exceptional homes in this prestigious community along with the exemplary customer service our clients have come to expect."

- Steve Murray, Murray Homes
 

[Real Estate]  Luxury Market Interest Surging
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Murray Homes, a luxury homebuilder in Sarasota, has turned most of its attention toward waterfront properties in the region, but on Tuesday announced it would expand into Lakewood Ranch, building homes in the exclusive community The Lake Club. Officials with the company say in recent months, demand for higher-end homes in the inland community has surged. 

“We are confident the Lakewood Ranch community will benefit from our customer-centric approach and 20 years’ expertise in the luxury home building market,” said Steve Murray, president of Murray Homes.

The move is just the most recent signal from builders and real estate leaders that the luxury market in Southwest Florida has entered a period of high-cost transactions. Murray Homes, which will be the exclusive builder in Staysail Court in The Lake Club, will sell homes with a starting price range of $1.2 million (on land that will cost an additional $250,000 or more). The first model will open in Spring 2015.

But there is plenty of attention for high-end builders and buyers for projects both near and far from the water. KJIMS Homes, in partnership with Homes by DeRamo, has a spec home under construction on Siesta Key (pictured) that should be finished in December and listed for $3.7 million. "It's a beautiful piece of property on Roberts Point, and we’re extremely confident the timing is right to find a buyer who's looking for luxury on the water," says Jeanie Donahue, sales director for KJIMS Homes. The two-story home will have five bedroom suites, each with a full bathroom, and the second floor will have three covered balconies. 

And that may be one one of the modest mansions under construction on Siesta. Karen Melk earlier this year sold a home for a record $10.25 million. Melk, who built the home with her husband, listed the home as a Realtor with Michael Saunders and Company, which said the sale turned out to be the all-time highest residential sale ever on the key.

Melk said since Christmas, Sarasota has seen a surge in interest from buyers interested in homes costing $7 million or more. "They show up and could spend as much as $14 million or $15 million," Melk said. "That confidence has returned and people feel good about investing in Sarasota at that level." Melk feels good enough about the state of the luxury market she and her husband are now building another home on Siesta and expect to get more than $10 million for that project as well. 

[Good Bite]  Taste of Summer and Truffle Nights

Take advantage of the new three-course summer menu at Andrea’s while you can. Chef Andrea Bozzolo prides himself on being a master craftsman of northern Italian fare, meaning he does it all by hand. The artisanal quality of his food can be found in the freshly made pasta with semolina flown in from Italy to the rustic bread basket (that is by far the best in town) served with a trio of accoutrements: cilantro hummus, olive tapenade and truffle butter.

The chef invited me in to try his three-course summer menu. It showcases several of his most notable dishes, like the delicate beef tenderloin carpaccio wrapped around three kinds of local and organic greens, fresh homemade pastas, including his melt-in-your-mouth beef and veal ravioli and his highly requested, fontina and mushroom stuffed chicken. The summer menu runs Mondays-Thursdays for $27.95 and includes a choice of appetizer, entree and the desserts of the day. 

Starting Monday, Andrea's will have Truffle Night every Monday through August 31. The chef gave us a sneak preview of one of his upcoming dishes, fresh asparagus, Stilton and a fried egg topped with freshly shaved truffles and served in an individual frying pan. Overflowing with truffle goodness, this dish shouldn't be missed. 

[Exec Moves]  Metzger Joins RE/MAX Alliance Group

Greg Metzger has joined the Sarasota office of RE/MAX Alliance Group as a member of the Chris and Harvey Bernstein team. After completing a degree in business economics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Metzger realized his childhood dream and was signed by the Oakland A’s baseball organization as a catcher. For 13 years afterwards, he was involved in trading and finance within the oil and gas industry. He is an experienced real estate investor and has been investing in the Sarasota area for quite some time. 

Re/Max Alliance Group

[Real Estate]  Property Purchased by TGM Associates

TGM Associates has announced the acquisition of TGM Palm Aire, a two and three-story garden style property, totaling 286 units in 16 buildings situated on 31.8 acres, in Sarasota.  TGM Palm Aire offers resort style amenities and 5 modern floorplans with average apartment square footages of 1,043 feet. TGM Palm Aire represents one of the highest quality multifamily assets in the Sarasota market, which is one of the most sought after markets in the Tampa Bay region.   

TGM Palm Aire

[Recognition]  Princeton Review Notes New College

The Princeton Review announced Tuesday it had placed New College of Florida in the top 15 percent of all four-year institutions nationwide for the 13th consecutive year. The book already recognized New College with the No. 2 national ranking among public colleges for quality and affordability in its annual “150 Best Value Colleges” listing, released in February. 

New College of Florida



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SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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