One of the best and most prestigious neighborhoods in Southwest Florida also happens to be the oldest in Sarasota. The history of Bayview Heights Sarasota coincides with the history of the city as one of the first major agricultural centers of the Sunshine State. This is where an early citrus magnate started building a Southern mansion in 1874; the home, which still functions as a residence today, is known as the Bay View Cottage.
As its name suggests, Bayview Heights is a neighborhood that sits along the shoreline of the Sarasota Bay. At one point, this was the downtown district where the post office was located. By the time World War I ended, Bayview Heights featured mostly residential zoning.
Quite a few of the properties in Bayview Heights Sarasota meet the criteria to entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The bungalows and cottages with exterior wood siding tend to sell very quickly to buyers interested in historic homes. If you are looking for Old Florida charm ambiance, you will certainly find it in this neighborhood; the mature trees, brick-paved roads and winding sidewalks give Bayview Heights plenty of character.
Aside from the Southern mansions and Old Florida cottages, you can also find ranch-style homes and waterfront Mediterranean estates complete with private docking space and fishing piers. Pricing starts under $1.1M for the historic homes, most of which have been extensively renovated and upgraded over the years. A custom-built mansion with four bedrooms, six bathrooms and more than 4,106 square feet of interior was listed for $5.3 million in early 2025. Latest pricing Bayview Heights Sarasota Florida will be found below if there is inventory.
Plenty of shopping and entertainment can be found in the Hillview district just a few blocks north. Driving to Downtown Sarasota or to the beach takes less than 10 minutes. Some of the favorite activities among residents of Bayview Heights include walking through the nearby historic neighborhoods of McClellan and Cherokee Park as well as watching the sun set over the nearby Sarasota Bay.
