One of the most luxurious enclaves of Sarasota is hidden by mature oak trees and located west of I-75. Beneva Oaks is a gated community within a very quiet district near Gulf Gate Estates, this is a neighborhood where you will not find row housing or cookie-cutter architecture; instead, you will find a diversity of real estate that includes Mediterranean mansions, Modern estates, Key West homes, and even properties built in the California Coastal style.

The Beneva Oaks neighborhood has always favored upscale, custom-built creations. When the first home sites were developed in the mid-1980s, only the most prestigious local builders were contracted. This is a community where you can find elaborate swimming pools and even private tennis courts overlooking ponds. The neighborhood is platted for 49 home sites, and two lots are still available in case you want to build your dream spec home. In late 2018, a 40,946 square feet lot was listed for $425K.

One section of Beneva Oaks is more opulent than the other, and this is where the most elegant estates have been built. A palatial four-bedroom home with six bathrooms and nearly 4,600 square feet of interior sits on a 1.21 acre lot; this is a property that includes a swimming pool complete with a guest house, a grand staircase, natural stone flooring, granite counter tops, hardwood flooring in a studio overlooking a tropical garden, designer kitchen, and butler’s pantry. This particular listing was priced for $1.1 million in November 2018, but it is open to negotiation.

Beneva Oaks is a very quiet and intimate enclave, but it is not isolated by any means. A quick trip north on Beneva Road takes you to a Clark Road shopping district filled with cafes, Mexican restaurants, craft breweries, and the Livingston’s Amusement Center, a classic Sarasota family attraction. Clark Road also takes you to Stickney Point Road to the west, and this means being able to reach the Siesta Key beaches in less than 20 minutes.