Sand Key Real Estate Transactions - May 2008

The following sales closed in May 2008. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS

Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market
1401 Gulf Blvd #116 / Sand Key Condo Bayside / $220,000 / 112
1270 Gulf Blvd #508 / Harbour Light Towers/ $295,000 / 22
1270 Gulf Blvd #1702 / Harbour Light Towers / $389,000 / 31
1250 Gulf Blvd #902 / Landmark Towers / $400,000 / 30
1250 Gulf Blvd #406/ Landmark Towers / $430,000 / 213
1290 Gulf Blvd #1803 / Lighthouse Towers/ $430,000 / 168
1430 Gulf Blvd #306 / Sand Key Condo South/ $445,000 / 46
1660 Gulf Blvd #302 / Dans Island / $755,000 / 135
1580 Gulf Blvd #501 / Ultimar III / $1,050,000 / 80

Average Sales Price $490,000
Average number of days on market 93
Number of properties sold: 9
For more Sand Key Real Estate information & a Free CMA for your Sand Key Condo call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800, or visit SandKeyProperty.com

Cabana Club Plans Submitted

Revised plans were resubmitted June 11 for the refurbishment of the Cabana Club on Sand Key. Originally built in the 70s, the Cabana Club was purchased by Legg Mason Real Estate Investors as part of their development plans coinciding with the restoration of the Belleview Biltmore . Now known as the Belleview Biltmore Cabana Club, plans call for a 38-room Victorian-style boutique hotel with ground level parking, and new restaurant . The Cabana Club,which includes a restaurant and pool, has been available to guests of the Biltmore since 2002. Plans call for transportation to and from the Cabana Club site via van and boat launch from the main hotel.

Morton Plant Mease Triathalon

The Morton Plant Mease Triathlon on July 13 will include a 1/3 mile open water swim in the Gulf, a 13-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run ending in Sand Key Park. The race begins at 7 a.m. at Sand Key Park. To register, visit www.mpmf.org/triathlon/home.asp. $4,000 will be divided among the top finishers. Everyone who finishes the race will receive custom medals and custom plaques will be awarded to the top five finishers in each category.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions - April 2008

The following sales closed in April 2008. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS

Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market
1351 Gulf Blvd #118 / Bayside Gardens / $200,000 / 210
1270 Gulf Blvd #1404 / Harbour Light Towers/ $300,000 / 504
1400 Gulf Blvd #809 / Sand Key Condo South / $365,000 / 264
1460 Gulf Blvd #506 / Sand Key Condo South / $385,000 / 25
1501 Gulf Blvd #305 / Sand Key Condo South / $350,000 / 88
1651 Sand Key Estates Ct #42 / Harbourage/ $420,000 / 218
1621 Gulf Blvd #802 / Isle of Sand Key/ $510,000 / 222
1180 Gulf Blvd #1904 / Grande on Sand Key / $580,000 / 69
1520 Gulf Blvd #307 / Ultimar / $530,000 / 107
1560 Gulf Blvd #1703 / Ultimar III / $600,000 / 127
1170 Gulf Blvd #603 / Grande On Sand Key / $674,000 / 55
1310 Gulf Blvd #PH G / Crescent Beach Club / $750,000 / 176
1350 Gulf Blvd #502 / Utopia / $835,000 / 257


Average Sales Price $500,000
Average number of days on market 179
Number of properties sold: 13
For more Sand Key Real Estate information & a Free CMA for your Sand Key Condo call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800, or visit SandKeyProperty.com

Pepper Fest This Weekend

The 2nd annual Pepper Fest will be held at Sand Key Park on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.

Hotel Density Debate Ended With Compromise

At the April 17 City Council meeting more than 300 people came to City Hall to hear the council debate a proposed hotel density increase in the city, most of whom live in Sand Key. Many spoke about how more hotel rooms at the Marriott and Sheraton would ruin their view and their neighborhood.

Last year Pinellas County approved a boost in hotel room density to encourage developers to build hotels instead of condos. Cities like Clearwater, which wants more mid-price hotels, are deciding whether to adopt the county density plan which would let builders add 50 to 150 percent more hotel rooms per acre.

Clearwater Vice Mayor and long time Sand Key resident George Cretekos made a motion to reduce the proposed increase in density by 10 percent, which is lower than the county desity plan. The council unanimously approved his motion.

City Council opted to reduce the number of rooms allowed by the county by 10 percent and not to apply the rules to any land zoned commercial, eliminating the chance a developer would build a hotel on such property.
However, the council did sign off on a plan allowing land zoned "tourist" receive higher hotel room density. Instead of 50 rooms per acre, developers can now build 70 units on parcels of less than an acre; 90 units an acre on 1- to 3-acre parcels and 110 units an acre on parcels larger than 3 acres.

Whale Sighted Off Sand Key

Photo by CJ Peppe
A whale was spotted about 500 yards off Sand Key, just south of Clearwater Pass.

There are whales out in the Gulf, but experts say it's very rare to see them so close to shore because the prefer cooler, deeper waters. Pictures were sent to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see if experts there can identify the type of whale it was.