1044 Virginia Dr, Sarasota, FL 34234

$459,000

Reduced By $40,000
last change 4/14/2025

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Home Description

Rare 1941 PECKY CYPRESS "Jewel Box" bungalow with cedar interior/metal roof on botanical garden like double lot in historic Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores neighborhood. Two blocks to Indian Beach Park on beautiful Sarasota Bay for swimming, sunsets or to drop in your kayak. Newer homes DO NOT have this level of materials/craftsmanship. Unique 84-yr old home has NO drywall: Exterior is old-growth "rough hewn pecky cypress", walls are old-growth CEDAR (hence the very light wonderful scent when you first walk in) and floors/ceiling are southern pine. These are the highest quality woods. New homes are poorly made with particle board and Chinese drywall. Best of both worlds: charming, private and close to everything! It's 287' to Ringing College of Art & Design, 1.5 miles to downtown, mins to gulf beaches, world class dining, nightlife, comedy club, etc. USF, New College, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center + Ringling Art Museum are just down the street. This home sustained NO water or wind damage in Hurricane Milton. Parcel is approx. 13' AMSL and home is elevated 2'. There are 60+ stands of Kanapaha (aka Wong Chuk or Royal) bamboo as wind breaks to protect home. Kanapaha is hardy to -20 degrees, grows 60' tall and is incredibly dense when mature. With existing bamboo/trees/privacy fence, home has protection from high winds. Vintage jewel box cottages are difficult to find and expensive. Walk across the street for authentic Cuban, Pho, Italian, funky brew-pub, coffee shop, etc. Your new home in paradise awaits your touches. You'll love your charming, relaxing vintage home in eclectic, funky North Sarasota. Need to catch a flight? It's 1.6 miles to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Recent $5K fire-place renovation. Convenient 1 hour drive to Tampa/St. Pete. Why PECKY CYPRESS? Distinctive Aesthetic: It has natural, irregular pocketing or hollow streaks caused by a fungus that attacks the trees heartwood. This creates a weathered, textured look that gives homes a warm, old-world character; Durability & Rot Resistance - Cypress is naturally resistant to rot, moisture, and insects (especially cockroaches/termites), making it ideal for humid or wet environments like FL; Because of its resistance to decay, pecky cypress requires less upkeep compared to other wood types; It has Unique, High-End Appeal - Its not mass-produced like other woods, so it adds a custom, one-of-a-kind touch to homes, making them feel more luxurious and distinctive. WHY is it called a JEWEL BOX ? The term is used to describe small, charming cottages that, despite their modest size, are rich in character and aesthetic appeal. They're compact containers that hold precious itemshighlighting their status as treasured gems in the community. The moniker emphasizes the unique beauty and cherished status of these cottages, celebrating the architectural heritage of Southwest Florida. Another benefit of PECKY CYPRESS? This home has no cockroaches. Why? Cockroaches avoid pecky cypress because of the natural oils and resins that repel them. Also, unlike damp, decaying wood that cockroaches thrive in, pecky cypress is dry and resistant to rot, making it an unfavorable environment. Because of these qualities, pecky cypress was historically used for paneling, ceilings, and cabinetry in Florida homes, especially in places where people wanted a rustic look while keeping pests away.