Towles Court is a small historic neighborhood and arts district in Sarasota, Florida, located near Laurel Park and Downtown Sarasota. Known for its 1920s cottages, bungalows, mature landscaping, art studios, and intimate streets, Towles Court offers a distinctive residential setting within Sarasota’s urban core.
The neighborhood’s modern identity was shaped by a major restoration effort beginning in the 1980s and a formal artist-colony revival in 1995. Today, Towles Court includes historic residences, live-work properties, studios, professional spaces, restaurants, and redevelopment opportunities while retaining much of the architectural character that made the enclave distinctive.
Towles Court Homes & Live-Work Properties
Towles Court contains a small collection of historic homes, cottages, bungalows, duplex-style properties, and mixed residential or live-work spaces. Properties vary considerably in age, condition, size, permitted use, and level of renovation.
Depending on the property, buyers may find original hardwood floors, wood siding, porches, fireplaces, built-in cabinetry, courtyards, mature gardens, detached structures, studio space, offices, guest accommodations, and updated kitchens and bathrooms.
Because many Towles Court properties date to the early 20th century, buyers should carefully review roofing, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC equipment, windows, foundations, additions, historic alterations, drainage, insurance considerations, and other property-specific improvements.
1920s Sarasota History
Towles Court traces its roots to Sarasota’s 1920s development boom. The Towles subdivision was platted during this period, and surviving homes from the mid-1920s remain part of the neighborhood today.
Early residences reflected the modest scale and practical design of Sarasota’s bungalow and cottage architecture, with front porches, smaller footprints, wood-frame construction, and outdoor spaces suited to Florida’s climate.
Over time, the neighborhood became part of the broader residential area surrounding Laurel Park and downtown Sarasota.
The 1995 Artist Colony Revival
By the late 20th century, portions of Towles Court had deteriorated and several older homes required substantial restoration. Developer N.J. Olivieri began acquiring and rehabilitating properties during the 1980s, helping establish the foundation for the neighborhood’s later arts-focused revival.
In 1995, Towles Court was formally repositioned as an artist colony where painters, sculptors, craftspeople, and other creative professionals could live and work in restored historic cottages and studios.
The combination of historic architecture, art studios, restaurants, gardens, and pedestrian-scaled streets helped establish Towles Court as one of Sarasota’s distinctive creative enclaves.
Towles Court Today
Towles Court continues to have a visible arts identity, although the neighborhood has evolved from the more formally structured artist colony of the 1990s.
The former neighborhood homeowners association and art-related deed restrictions were dissolved in 2020. Today, properties may function as residences, studios, professional spaces, restaurants, or other permitted uses depending on zoning and property-specific approvals.
This evolution has created a more flexible mixed-use setting while preserving the historic scale, landscaping, architecture, and creative character associated with Towles Court.
Bungalows, Cottages & Historic Architecture
Towles Court is best known for its collection of early Sarasota cottages and bungalows. Architectural details may include wood-frame construction, front porches, gabled roofs, traditional windows, hardwood floors, modest setbacks, and landscaped courtyards.
Some properties have been substantially renovated while others retain more original materials and layouts. Later construction and redevelopment also exist, including homes designed to complement the neighborhood’s historic appearance.
Buyers interested in significant exterior modifications or redevelopment should review current City of Sarasota zoning, permitting requirements, and any property-specific historic considerations before purchasing.
Towles Court Art Center & Third Friday Art Walk
The Towles Court Art Center continues the neighborhood’s creative tradition from its location on Adams Lane. Working artists maintain studios in the area and display painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, mixed media, and other work.
Towles Court is also associated with Sarasota’s Third Friday Art Walk tradition, which provides opportunities to visit studios, meet artists, and experience the neighborhood’s creative atmosphere during scheduled events.
Studios, participating artists, event schedules, and seasonal programming can change, so visitors should review current Towles Court Art Center information before attending.
No Traditional Mandatory HOA
Towles Court is not a modern master-planned community with a mandatory neighborhood HOA, clubhouse, pool, or recreational amenity package. Current property records commonly show no recurring neighborhood association dues.
City of Sarasota zoning, permitting, business-use regulations, rental rules, historic considerations, and property-specific restrictions may still apply. These requirements can be especially important for buyers considering live-work use, redevelopment, short-term rentals, or commercial activity.
Downtown Edge Setting
Towles Court occupies a transition area between residential Laurel Park and Downtown Sarasota. Portions of the neighborhood fall within Sarasota’s Downtown Edge environment, helping support the combination of residential, professional, artistic, and neighborhood-scale commercial uses found throughout the area.
Because permitted uses can vary by property and zoning classification, buyers with specific plans should verify current City of Sarasota regulations before purchasing.
Near Laurel Park & Downtown Sarasota
Towles Court is located near Laurel Park and within convenient walking or biking distance of many Downtown Sarasota destinations.
Restaurants, cafés, galleries, theaters, professional offices, shopping, and cultural attractions are nearby, while the neighborhood’s smaller streets create a more intimate residential environment than Sarasota’s larger downtown condominium corridors.
Near Payne Park, Selby Gardens & Sarasota Bay
Payne Park is nearby and offers trails, open green space, recreation, playground facilities, and connections to the Legacy Trail.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Sarasota’s downtown bayfront are also convenient, providing access to waterfront parks, gardens, boating, restaurants, and cultural activities.
Residents can travel west toward Lido Key and St. Armands Circle or south toward Siesta Key for Gulf beaches and coastal recreation.
Similar Sarasota Communities
- Laurel Park – A historic downtown-adjacent neighborhood with bungalows, renovated residences, newer infill construction, parks, and walkable city access.
- Burns Court – A historic Downtown Sarasota district known for Mediterranean-influenced architecture, restaurants, theaters, shops, and residential properties.
- Gillespie Park – A historic Sarasota neighborhood near downtown offering bungalows, renovated homes, newer redevelopment, and neighborhood parks.
- Bungalow Hill – A small historic Sarasota neighborhood with early homes, Craftsman influences, mature landscaping, and proximity to downtown and Southside Village.
- West of the Trail – A broader collection of established Sarasota neighborhoods known for historic architecture, mature landscaping, luxury homes, and convenient access to downtown.
Community Slideshow at Towles Court Sarasota
Towles Court Homes for Sale | Sarasota Florida
View current Towles Court homes for sale below. Because the neighborhood is small, available inventory can be limited and may include historic cottages, restored bungalows, live-work properties, studio spaces, later construction, and redevelopment opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towles Court
Where is Towles Court located?
Towles Court is located near Laurel Park and Downtown Sarasota, generally around Adams Lane and Morrill Street between South Osprey Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
When was Towles Court developed?
Towles Court traces its residential history to Sarasota’s 1920s development boom. Several surviving cottages and bungalows date to that period.
Why is Towles Court known as an arts district?
Towles Court was revitalized as an artist colony in 1995, when restored cottages and bungalows became live-work studios for artists and other creative professionals. The neighborhood continues to support an active arts presence today.
Does Towles Court have an HOA?
Towles Court does not currently operate as a traditional mandatory homeowners association community. City zoning, permitting rules, business-use regulations, rental requirements, and other property-specific restrictions can still apply.
What types of properties are found in Towles Court?
Towles Court includes historic cottages, bungalows, duplex-style properties, live-work spaces, artist studios, professional uses, renovated residences, later construction, and occasional redevelopment opportunities.
Interested in Towles Court or other historic Sarasota neighborhoods near downtown? Contact Wendy Lynn | eXp Realty for help comparing historic homes, live-work properties, renovation history, zoning considerations, redevelopment opportunities, and other Sarasota real estate options.
