Sarasota’s 90-year old luxury home, Casa del Carnevale, has officially been listed for $17.5 million. Located at 139 South Washington Drive in the prestigious St. Armands neighborhood, the Mediterranean-style abode includes five bedrooms, six-and-half bathrooms, a three-car garage, a private elevator for second floor access and an elegant 65 foot saltwater pool and spa. The home will also be sold fully furnished.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own an exquisite piece of Sarasota’s history,” said listing agent Judy Kepecz-Hays in a statement to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
History meets modern luxury
Originally built in 1936 by Midwestern industrialist Charles E. Leigh, the estate has only been home to four residents since its construction. One being Leigh’s daughter, Marion McKennon, who added the home to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. The home’s Italian name, Casa del Carnevale, directly translates to “Carnival House–” paying homage to not only Sarasota’s circus history, but the home’s niche design choices. These include various paintings depicting Venetian carnival scenes, which can be found around the residence.
In 2003, the estate went through a major renovation after it was bought by unknown buyers for $3 million. Architect Wm. Thorning Little and builder Pat Ball led the six-year design and 14-month reconstruction process, in an effort to elevate the home’s Mediterranean Revival-style.
The final product expanded the home from 4,000 to around 10,000 square feet under roof space. Upon purchasing the property for $10.6 million in 2020, the current owners are responsible for renovations of their own. In 2021 they added a new dock and boat lift, along with an updated kitchen and butler’s kitchen.
Amenities for the modern buyer
Set on three lots, the estate is made up of almost 7,200 square feet of living space and 171 square feet of waterfrontage overlooking the Sarasota Waterway. Luxury features range from a nanny’s quarters, walk-in wine and billiards room, to a full-sized office space and custom arched French-style doors made with impact-glass for hurricane safety and unobstructed views.
According to the listing’s official website, Casa del Carnevale consists of multiple terraces that provide a perfect outdoor retreat and entertaining area, which are complemented by stunning garden water vistas and a central courtyard. “Casa del Carnevale is more than simply a unique home — it’s a charming, inviting, living museum of craftsmanship, legacy, elegance, with modern-luxury conveniences,” Kepecz-Hays says.
Historical versus history making: Sarasota’s luxury market milestones
Casa del Carvenale’s listing may be a staple of Sarasota’s colorful history, but it comes off the heels of the record-breaking sale of another Venetian-influenced estate. Earlier this month, “Serenissima,” a partial estate located at 845 Longboat Club Road, was sold for $30.3 million making it the most expensive sale in the region.
Despite concerns over the current state of Florida’s housing market, luxury listings still remain hot.
