Sarasota
Sapphire Shores in Sarasota
Sapphire Shores is a historic bayside neighborhood of single-family homes in north Sarasota near The Ringling and New College, where 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes, midcentury ranches and new builds stand along palm-lined Bay Shore Road.
At a glance
Sapphire Shores at a glance
Sapphire Shores is a historic bayside neighborhood of single-family homes in north Sarasota near The Ringling and New College, where 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes, midcentury ranches and new builds stand along palm-lined Bay Shore Road.
- Median asking price
- $2.30M
The area
Living in Sapphire Shores
Overview of Sapphire Shores
About Sapphire Shores
Sapphire Shores is one of Sarasota's historic bayside neighborhoods, a horseshoe of about 184 homes in north Sarasota next to The Ringling museum and near New College and Ringling College. Its streets, Woodland, Acacia, Sapphire, North Shore Drive, South Shore Drive and Brywill Circle, are divided by a broad, palm-lined stretch of Bay Shore Road.
The neighborhood was laid out in 1924 and 1925 with deed restrictions requiring Mediterranean, Moroccan or Italianate designs, and the homes built before the 1926 crash still stand. Building picked up again around 1949 with ranch-style houses, so the streets today blend 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes, midcentury ranches and newer custom homes. Homes have sold for about $880,000 to $7.6 million in the last two years.
Sun Circle Park sits within the neighborhood, and The Ringling's museums and bayfront grounds are steps away. Much of Sapphire Shores lies in a flood zone, which shapes renovation and insurance planning on older homes.
What to know before you buy in Sapphire Shores
- I will confirm the HOA and any CDD fees, what they cover, and whether a transfer fee applies at closing.
- If you may want to rent the home out, I will review the rental and lease rules with you.
- We will look at drive times to work, to SRQ, and to the beaches at the hours you would actually travel.
Buying in Sapphire Shores? I would be happy to walk you through everything before you make an offer. Email me or call me at (813) 394-3313.
Sapphire Shores FAQ
Where is Sapphire Shores?
Sapphire Shores is in north Sarasota on Sarasota Bay, next to The Ringling museum grounds and close to New College and Ringling College. Its horseshoe of streets, Woodland, Acacia, Sapphire, North Shore Drive, South Shore Drive and Brywill Circle, is split by a wide, palm-lined stretch of Bay Shore Road.
What styles of homes are in Sapphire Shores?
The 1924 and 1925 deed restrictions called for Mediterranean, Moroccan or Italianate homes, and the original homes from that era still stand. Most building came after 1949, when ranch-style homes were added, so the streets mix 1920s Mediterranean Revival houses, midcentury ranches and newer custom homes.
Are there homes on the water?
Sapphire Shores borders Sarasota Bay, and its streets include North Shore Drive and South Shore Drive. Over half of the neighborhood is in the FEMA A flood zone, where federal rules limit how much can be spent renovating an older home, so I will review the elevation and flood details with you for any home you consider.
Is there a neighborhood gathering place?
Sun Circle Park sits within the neighborhood and has hosted a spring art festival, and neighbors have organized a beautification committee and an annual picnic.
Do you have a question about Sapphire Shores that is not answered here? I would be glad to help. Email me or call me at (813) 394-3313.
Climate
Weather, month by month
Average high and low in °F, and rain in inches, for each month.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
- Janhigh 72.5°low 52.3°2.8 in
- Febhigh 74.9°low 54.6°1.9 in
- Marhigh 78.2°low 58.1°2.9 in
- Aprhigh 82.5°low 62.7°2.5 in
- Mayhigh 87.5°low 68.2°2.6 in
- Junhigh 90.0°low 73.6°7.1 in
- Julhigh 91.1°low 75.2°7.4 in
- Aughigh 91.5°low 75.3°9.1 in
- Sephigh 90.2°low 74.1°6.0 in
- Octhigh 86.3°low 68.3°2.8 in
- Novhigh 80.0°low 60.1°1.8 in
- Dechigh 75.2°low 55.2°2.3 in
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NOAA National Hurricane Center, https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/); June through September is the rainy season, with most afternoons bringing a short thunderstorm.
NOAA climate normals, 1991 to 2020, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals), as reproduced in the Sarasota, Florida climate table (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasota,_Florida); read 2026-10-04.
Nearby
More communities in Sarasota
For sale now
Sapphire Shores homes for sale
I would be glad to send you new Sapphire Shores listings as soon as they come on the market, often before they reach the major portals. Ask Janelle
Updated October 13, 2026
Market now, as of October 13, 2026
- Homes for sale
- 7
- Median asking price
- $2.30M
Every quarter
Prices in Sapphire Shores
These are the homes sold in Sapphire Shores from July to September 2026, by closing date.
- Homes sold
- 2
With fewer than 3 sales in the quarter, I do not show a median.
| Sales | July to September 2026 | July to September 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Homes sold | 2 | 1 |
| Median sale price | Fewer than 3 sales | Fewer than 3 sales |
| Median price per sq ft | Fewer than 3 sales | Fewer than 3 sales |
On October 13, 2026, 7 homes were for sale in Sapphire Shores, at a median list price of $2.30M and a median $701 a square foot.
These figures are closed sales of homes (no land) in Stellar MLS, in the places this page's home search covers. Medians and the lowest and highest sales require at least 3 homes.
I update these figures every quarter from MLS sales. This is the July to September 2026 quarter, and the next update is in January 2027.
Keep reading
Guides from Janelle
· 5 min read
Relocating, Downsizing, or Moving Remotely to Sarasota: Your Questions Answered
My answers to the questions people ask most about downsizing to a condo, selling and buying at the same time, and buying a Sarasota home by video call.
· 4 min read
Selling in Sarasota or Bradenton: Pricing, Marketing, and Strategy Questions
How I price a Sarasota or Bradenton home, help you sell a vacation home you have owned for years, and market a luxury listing, answering the questions sellers ask me most.
· 5 min read
Homes for Sale in Sarasota FL: What Your Budget Buys in 2026
Homes for sale in Sarasota FL: what single-family homes, townhomes, and condos cost in 2026, where to look, and how I would begin your search.
· 6 min read
Living in The Founders Club, Sarasota: A Guide for Buyers
What life in The Founders Club in Sarasota is like: the gate, the homes, what they sell for, the club decision, and how I would approach your search.
New listings
Get new Sapphire Shores listings first
New Sapphire Shores listings often sell within days. Tell me what you are looking for, and I will send you new and coming-soon homes as soon as they come on the market, often before they reach the major portals. If you would rather talk, call or text me at (813) 394-3313.
Reviews
What clients say
-
Janelle is fantastic. We recently were able to sell our home in one week at 1% over asking price. I believe that the professional photos and staging coupled with Janelle helping us price competitively led to this success. We closed in one month and are so very grateful for Janelle and her help with the sale of our property.
Google, October 7, 2026Sold a home
-
I highly recommend Janelle Mertins She is extremely knowledgeable, honest, and incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. She is also very responsive and even made herself available after hours when needed. After working with several agents in the Sarasota area, Janelle truly stood out. Her professionalism and dedication made all the difference.
Google, April 7, 2026 -
Janelle did a great job selling our house. We have worked with 4 realtors over the past 19 years in FL, and she was by far the best. She is very knowledgeable about the real estate market, and was great at communicating with us throughout the sales process. Her responses to our emails and texts were very detailed and timely. She was also very proactive with recommendations on how to get our house ready for sale, and she went above and beyond to make sure our house was sparkling clean and staged appropriately to make sure our house stood out compared to others. The video she created for our...
RateMyAgent, July 20, 2025Sold a home in Bradenton
Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte
Areas served
Sarasota 97 communities
The Founders Club, Laurel Oak Estates, Artistry, Paver Park, Rivo Lakes, Skye Ranch
Lakewood Ranch 57 communities
Monterey at Lakewood Ranch, Lake Club, The Isles, Country Club East, Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, EverCreek at Lakewood Ranch
Venice 37 communities
Aria, Sawgrass, Gulf View Section of Venice, Waterford, Golden Beach, Venezia Park
Bradenton 81 communities
The Concession, Shaws Point, Waterlefe Golf & River Club, Legends Bay, Rosedale, SeaFlower
Parrish 51 communities
Aberdeen, Ancient Oaks, Aviary at Rutland Ranch, Bella Lago, Broadleaf, Canoe Creek
Islands & Beaches 80 communities
Palmer Ranch 33 communities
Hammock Preserve, Arbor Lakes, Arielle, Bella Villino, Botanica, Cobblestone
Wellen Park 26 communities
Everly, Antigua, Avelina, Boca Royale, Brightmore, Esplanade at Wellen Park
Lido Key 8 communities
Lido Shores, Lido Beach Club, Orchid Beach Club, Lido Surf and Sand, L'Elegance on Lido Beach, Key Tower South
Siesta Key 24 communities
Siesta Isles, Ten35 Seaside, Point of Rocks, Sanderling Club, Siesta Breakers, Siesta Gulf View
Punta Gorda 6 communities
Babcock Ranch, Pirate Harbor, Harbour Heights, Burnt Store Isles, Punta Gorda Isles, The Estates on Peace River
Longboat Key 31 communities
Sabal Cove, Sleepy Lagoon, Corey's Landing, Longbeach Village, Country Club Shores, Veinte
Port Charlotte 4 communities
Riverwood, South Gulf Cove and Harbor West, Grassy Point Estates, South Bayview Estates
Anna Maria Island 15 communities
Casanas, Bay Palms, Ilexhurst, Key Royale, Luana Isles, Cortez Beach
Englewood and Cape Haze 10 communities
Cape Haze, Anglers Club at Boca Grande, Palm Island Estates, Placida Harbour Club, Don Pedro Island, Englewood Shores
Janelle Mertins · Compass
Would you like to see Sapphire Shores in person?
Call or text me directly whenever it suits you, or send me a note about the home, community, or move you have in mind.