Luxury Custom Homes in Sarasota
Sarasota's premier custom home builder for $1M-$25M+ barrier island estates, waterfront properties, and architectural masterpieces. From the world-famous beaches of Siesta Key to the exclusive enclaves of Longboat Key and Bird Key, we bring exceptional craftsmanship to Florida's cultural coast.
Sarasota's Premier Luxury Home Builder
Florida Construction Specialists brings the same precision, project management expertise, and quality control that defines our commercial construction work to Sarasota's most discerning homeowners. We specialize in luxury custom homes from $1.5 million to over $25 million, with particular expertise in barrier island properties on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key.
Sarasota represents Florida's cultural heart, where world-class arts institutions meet pristine Gulf beaches and sophisticated architectural traditions. From the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture to today's contemporary coastal designs, our team understands the unique requirements of building in these prestigious communities - including coastal construction permits, hurricane hardening, and the expectations of homeowners who appreciate both design excellence and technical precision.
Luxury Home Specialties
Barrier Island Estates
Gulf-front and bayfront properties on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key with private beach access and deep-water docks
Sarasota Modern Architecture
Mid-century modern and contemporary designs inspired by the renowned Sarasota School of Architecture, featuring clean lines and indoor-outdoor living
Smart Home Estates
Fully integrated smart home technology including Crestron, Savant, and Control4 systems for lighting, climate, security, and entertainment
Arts District Living
Sophisticated urban estates near The Ringling, Selby Gardens, and downtown cultural venues reflecting Sarasota's artistic heritage
Why Build a Custom Home in Sarasota?
- World-Class Beaches: Siesta Key's quartz crystal beach consistently ranks #1 in the U.S., while Longboat Key offers 12 miles of pristine Gulf shoreline
- Cultural Excellence: The Ringling Museum, Selby Gardens, Van Wezel, and Sarasota Opera make this Florida's cultural capital with a sophisticated arts scene
- Barrier Island Living: Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key offer exclusive waterfront addresses with Gulf and bay access
- Architectural Heritage: The Sarasota School of Architecture pioneered Florida modernism, and today's builders continue this tradition of design excellence
- Strong Value Appreciation: Sarasota's barrier island properties have seen exceptional appreciation, with premium lots commanding $2M-$10M+ before construction
Start Your Project
Schedule a consultation to discuss your luxury home vision, barrier island lot selection, or current property.
(813) 420-7561Residential Services in Sarasota
Sarasota's Premier Barrier Islands & Waterfront Communities
We build in Sarasota's most exclusive barrier island communities and waterfront neighborhoods, each offering unique character, exceptional beaches, and unparalleled Gulf Coast lifestyle.
Siesta Key
World-famous for its quartz crystal beaches, Siesta Key offers Gulf-front estates and bayfront properties ranging from $3M-$25M+
Longboat Key
Exclusive 10-mile barrier island with Gulf-to-bay estates, private golf communities, and some of Florida's most prestigious addresses at $2M-$30M+
Bird Key
Sarasota's most prestigious address with deep-water canal lots, direct bay access, and architectural homes ranging $3M-$15M+
Lido Key
Between downtown and the Gulf, Lido Key offers beachfront living with St. Armands Circle shopping and dining at $2M-$20M+
Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores
Historic waterfront neighborhood with bay views, mature landscaping, and mid-century modern homes near The Ringling at $1.5M-$8M+
Casey Key
Ultra-exclusive 8-mile barrier island south of Siesta Key with Gulf-front estates, celebrity homes, and ultimate privacy at $5M-$40M+
Sarasota Luxury Home Construction Costs
Sarasota is a premium luxury market with construction costs reflecting the exceptional quality and coastal construction requirements. These ranges reflect typical barrier island and waterfront projects - actual costs depend on specific design, location, and specifications.
| Project Tier | Price Range | Typical Size | Cost Per SF | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Luxury | $1.5M - $3M | 3,500 - 5,000 SF | $400 - $500/SF | 16-20 months |
| Mid-Range Luxury | $3M - $7M | 5,000 - 9,000 SF | $500 - $650/SF | 18-24 months |
| High-End Luxury | $7M - $15M | 9,000 - 15,000 SF | $650 - $750/SF | 22-28 months |
| Ultra Luxury | $15M+ | 15,000+ SF | $750 - $850+/SF | 28-40 months |
* Costs as of 2025. Does not include land, design fees, or soft costs. Barrier island and Gulf-front properties may have significant additional costs for seawalls, docks, coastal permits, and enhanced hurricane protection systems.
Our Barrier Island Building Process
Building a luxury custom home on Sarasota's barrier islands requires specialized expertise and meticulous planning. Our proven 6-phase process ensures your vision becomes reality while navigating coastal construction requirements.
Discovery & Site Analysis
Initial consultation, barrier island lot analysis, coastal permitting assessment, and design direction with your architect
Pre-Construction
Detailed budgeting, coastal constructability review, value engineering, and marine-grade specification development
Permitting
City/County permits, FDEP coastal construction permits, Army Corps dock permits, and environmental compliance coordination
Foundation & Structure
Deep foundations, helical piles for barrier islands, reinforced concrete construction, and hurricane-rated roof systems
Systems & Envelope
Impact-rated windows and doors, marine-grade electrical, whole-house generators, and building envelope completion
Finishes & Completion
Premium interior finishes, smart home integration, pool and outdoor living, landscaping, and final inspections
The FCS Difference in Sarasota Luxury Homes
Our commercial construction background brings unmatched project management capabilities to barrier island residential construction. We apply the same rigorous quality control, scheduling discipline, and documentation standards that define major commercial projects - essential for the complex logistics of building on Sarasota's keys.
- Barrier Island Expertise: We understand coastal construction permits, FDEP requirements, and the unique challenges of building on Sarasota's keys
- Always Prime Contractor: We never subcontract our management responsibility - you get direct accountability for your investment
- $10M+ Bonding Capacity: Financial strength to handle the largest Gulf-front estates and barrier island projects
- Premium Trade Relationships: Long-standing relationships with Sarasota's finest specialty contractors who understand luxury finishes
Why Sarasota Homeowners Choose FCS
Uncompromising Quality
Every detail matters in a Sarasota luxury home. Our quality control processes ensure premium finishes, precise millwork, and flawless execution that meet the standards of Florida's most discerning homeowners.
Design Collaboration
We work seamlessly with Sarasota's premier architects and designers, including specialists in Sarasota Modern and contemporary coastal design, providing constructability review and value engineering.
Coastal Expertise
Our experience with FDEP coastal permits, Army Corps dock approvals, hurricane hardening, and barrier island logistics ensures your Gulf-front or bayfront home is built to the highest standards.
Sarasota Luxury Custom Homes FAQs
Common questions about building luxury custom homes in Sarasota, Florida's barrier islands and waterfront communities.
Florida Construction Specialists builds luxury custom homes throughout Sarasota's most prestigious areas including Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, Casey Key, Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores, Harbor Acres, and downtown Sarasota. We specialize in barrier island construction with expertise in Gulf-front, bayfront, and deep-water canal properties. Our projects range from $1 million to over $25 million.
Luxury custom homes in Sarasota typically require 16-28 months for construction, depending on size, complexity, and barrier island logistics. A 5,000 SF home may take 16-20 months, while 10,000+ SF estates often require 24-28 months or more. Barrier island construction may add time due to material delivery logistics and tide-dependent work. Design and permitting can add 6-12 months, with Sarasota County and city permits averaging 4-8 weeks.
Sarasota is a premium luxury market with construction costs typically ranging from $400-$850+ per square foot depending on finishes, features, and location. Gulf-front barrier island properties command the highest prices. Entry-level luxury ($1.5-3M) averages $400-500/SF, mid-range luxury ($3-7M) averages $500-650/SF, and ultra-luxury ($7M+) can exceed $700-850/SF with premium finishes, impact systems, and coastal construction requirements.
Absolutely. Barrier island construction is our specialty. All FCS luxury homes exceed Florida Building Code wind resistance requirements with enhanced specifications for coastal exposure. We incorporate impact-resistant windows rated for large missile impact, reinforced concrete or ICF construction, Miami-Dade approved roofing systems, whole-house generators, flood-resistant design, and breakaway walls where required. Our homes are engineered to withstand major hurricanes while maintaining architectural elegance.
Yes, Gulf-front construction on Sarasota's barrier islands is a specialty for FCS. These projects require extensive expertise including FDEP Coastal Construction Control Line permits, Army Corps of Engineers permits for seawalls, sea turtle lighting compliance, dune preservation requirements, and strict setback adherence. We have completed numerous Gulf-front estates on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key.
The Sarasota School of Architecture was a mid-20th century modernist movement known for clean lines, indoor-outdoor living, native materials, and designs adapted to Florida's climate. Architects like Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell pioneered this style. FCS works with architects who specialize in authentic Sarasota Modern design, as well as contemporary interpretations. We have experience building both faithful restorations of mid-century homes and new construction inspired by this iconic regional style.
Waterfront permitting in Sarasota requires coordination with multiple agencies. We navigate City of Sarasota or Sarasota County building departments, FDEP for coastal construction permits, Army Corps of Engineers for dock and seawall permits, SWFWMD for stormwater management, and local environmental reviews. For barrier islands, we also coordinate with town governments on Longboat Key. Our pre-construction team handles all permitting to ensure compliance and minimize delays.
FCS is always the prime contractor on every project - we never subcontract our management responsibility. Our $10M+ bonding capacity allows us to handle the largest barrier island estates. We maintain long-term relationships with Sarasota's finest specialty contractors who understand the precision required for luxury finishes. Our commercial construction background brings superior project management, detailed scheduling, and rigorous quality control to residential projects. We also have specific expertise in coastal construction that many residential-only builders lack.
Build Your Sarasota Dream Home
From Gulf-front estates on Siesta Key to sophisticated Sarasota Modern homes, FCS brings exceptional craftsmanship to Florida's cultural coast. Schedule a consultation to discuss your barrier island or waterfront vision.
