Sarasota waterfront home listed for nearly $15M

A spacious waterfront estate in Lido Shores has hit the market for $14.9 million.

The house at 1157 Westway Drive spans more than 9,100 square feet. It has six bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half-baths. Some of the highlights, according to a statement, are a library and a billiards room. 

Water views are present throughout the home, which includes multiple terraces. The property overlooks the gulf, with 247 feet of western-facing shoreline. It was designed by Sarasota architecture firm Seibert Architects.

Image courtesy of Poff Media Group

Image courtesy of Poff Media Group

The 1.34-acre property was publicly listed this week, the first time since it was built in 1974. In its more than 50-year history, it has had two owners, “both recognized for their enduring contributions to the Sarasota community,” according to Melodie Palmer, the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty agent who is representing the property. Past owners include Joseph Penner and Ira Barsky. 

“Joseph Penner made a lasting contribution to Sarasota through his development work, including what was formerly known as the Penner Building, now One Sarasota Tower,” Palmer says in an email. Barsky co-founded the Animal Rescue Coalition in Sarasota in 1999 after retiring from a career in business.

Part of the appeal of the property is the opportunity to create a legacy estate, according to Palmer.

“The site once included a tennis court, which the Barsky family later transformed into expansive lawn space, illustrating how the property has evolved to meet the needs and preferences of its owners over time,” Palmer says. The next owners may have a different vision for the grounds, whether for recreational amenities, guest accommodations, gardens or green space.

Image courtesy of Poff Media Group

“What we consistently see at this price point is that buyers want options,” Palmer says. “Privacy and security are extremely important, particularly because many luxury buyers are purchasing a second or third residence. They are looking for a home that serves as a retreat for family and friends while also offering flexibility for how they live today and in the future. What makes this property so compelling is that it offers something that is becoming increasingly rare: choice.”

In June, a residence in Lido Shores sold for $13.37 million, approximately 0.4 mile from the Westway Drive estate. About 0.6 mile away, another Lido Shores home was listed for nearly $13 million this spring.