Bimini Cove waits for the word
tom vaught | sun
A new sign stands in the entrance to what was originally
planned to be Villa Rosa in a one block square
of canalfront homesites.
ANNA MARIA – One of the victims of the bad economy on Anna Maria Island was Villa Rosa, a full city block of home sites bordered by canals on three sides and South Bay Boulevard on the other. It stood for years with one unoccupied luxury home finished.
As the economy started to recover in the past year, Murray Realty of Sarasota, took over the property, hoping to develop the lots into luxury homes. The city’s attempt to stop the proliferation of ground-level homes being torn down and new structures being built for use as rental properties put a hitch in their plans, but owner John Murray said they have been in touch with Anna Maria Building Official Bob Welch about whether their project would be derailed and he indicated the homes they have planned would be allowable when the moratorium is retracted.
“We have plans finalized for a model home, and it does not fall under the new regulations,” he said. “The fact that our new home designs fit the parameters of the types of homes the city commission appears to want tells you something.” he said, indicating the homes are not too large for the size limits that were adopted.
Murray is offering 14 canal front lots ranging from $399,900 to $487,900 and several floor plans ranging from 2,750 to 3,200 square feet, but they are not limiting their offerings to that.
“Because we are a custom home builder, we can offer any kind of design a homeowner might want,” he said, “as long as they fit what the city’s regulations allow.”
Each of the lots will have the ability to have a dock onto a canal, making them perfect for people looking for luxury homes. Bimini Cove will have a homeowner’s association to take care of the public areas, Murray said.
“There appears to be a demand for these types of homes,” he said. “We believe this is a perfect niche market for the Island.”
Murray recently met with 10 local Realtors and showed them the plans. He said they got an enthusiastic reaction. Murray said they hope to have the model home and sales office going by Thanksgiving of this year.
For more information, log onto http://www.murrayrealtyflorida.com/bimini-cove.