McClellan Park, a historic and highly desirable neighborhood west of Osprey Avenue, stands out for its unique features. This West of Trail community, with its 108 homes, offers a diverse architectural palette. The tree-lined streets present a unique blend of housing options, from updated vintage Florida homes to modern contemporary estates, making it a standout neighborhood for its residents and potential homebuyers.
In 1916, McClellan Park was proudly called Sarasota's Garden Spot, which still resonates today and reflects its vision as a nature-inspired community. The McClellan sisters, Katherine and Daisietta of Massachusetts, were the masterminds behind this historical neighborhood, developing 56 acres between Orange Avenue and Sarasota Bay. Their vision introduced a new style of residential living with gently curving roads that showcased bay views.
An accomplished photographer, Katherine, with an eye for beauty and aesthetics, created a sales brochure to market properties featuring water views, cement sidewalks, shade trees, and shell-covered roads. In 1916, lots for sale ranged from $500 to $2,500. An Indian mound on the property inspired Katherine to use Seminole words (Illehaw, Mietaw, Okobee) when naming the roads that marked the entrance. At the time, a clubhouse was the hub of social life and hosted various events, from elegant teas to lively dances. The development offered water, electricity, septic tanks, and recreational amenities, including tennis courts and a fully equipped yacht basin. These amenities and the area's natural beauty made McClellan Park a paradise for those who sought an active lifestyle. However, initial lot sales were slow, leading to reduced prices. In 1923, many unsold lots were sold to the Bacheller-Brewer Corp.
McClellan Park blossomed into a desirable neighborhood that surely has fulfilled the vision of the McClellen sisters. It blends charm with evolving architectural styles and embodies the tranquility they had in mind.
Today's residents of McClellan Park enjoy the convenience of being close to Morton's Gourmet Market, the Southside Elementary School, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and restaurants and shops in Southside Village. The downtown district is easily accessible with its cultural venues, events, entertainment, shopping, and dining, and the beaches are just a stone's throw away, making it a practical and enjoyable place to live.
Are you ready to explore life in McClellan Park? We can help. Single-family homes are priced between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.
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