Boutique Gulf-Front Luxury with a Story Unlike Any Other
Completed in 2016, Aria is one of Longboat Key's most exclusive Gulf-front condominium communities. Home to just sixteen luxury residences, it was designed for buyers who value privacy, generous living spaces, and timeless architecture over the scale of a traditional high-rise.
Developed by Ascentia Development Group under the leadership of Jay Tallman and designed by GATE Architects, Aria continues Ascentia's legacy of creating some of Sarasota's most admired luxury communities, including En Provence, Vizcaya, Beau Ciel, Orchid Beach Club, and The Founders Club.
What makes Aria truly unique, however, is that its story began long before the first residence was built.
Luxury buyers often compare Aria with neighboring communities such as Water Club, L'Ambiance, Regent Place, and the newer St. Regis Residences. Each offers an exceptional waterfront lifestyle — but Aria occupies a distinct place in Longboat Key's luxury market.
Instead of maximizing the number of residences, Ascentia deliberately limited the community to just sixteen homes. The result is an intimate residential environment where expansive floor plans, oversized terraces, private garages, and beautifully landscaped grounds create the feeling of a private coastal estate rather than a traditional condominium.
The original site plan reflects that philosophy: a separate Residents Club and Wellness Center, a Gulf-front pool, and landscaped pathways connect the community to nearly 300 feet of beachfront, allowing residents to experience the property as a whole.
Long before Aria became one of Longboat Key's premier luxury communities, this property was home to Villa am Meer, one of the island's most significant waterfront estates.
Built during the 1930s for industrialist Morris "Moe" Kahl and his wife Geri, the Mediterranean Revival residence became a local landmark and remained part of Longboat Key's history for decades.
When the property was redeveloped, many assumed the estate would disappear. Instead, Jay Tallman and Ascentia chose to preserve and restore the historic villa, incorporating it into the new community as Aria's Residents Club.
Today, residents enjoy an amenity unlike any other on Longboat Key while helping preserve a small but meaningful piece of the island's architectural heritage.
It is one of the details that makes Aria impossible to duplicate.
Interior living areas generally range from approximately 3,804 to 4,142 square feet, while expansive terraces increase total living areas to more than 8,000 square feet in select residences. Every home includes direct elevator access, private enclosed garage parking, and generous outdoor living designed to maximize Gulf views and natural light.
Pets | Up to two domestic pets (dogs and/or cats) are permitted, subject to the Association's Rules and Regulations. |
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Leasing | Minimum lease term is 90 days. Maximum two leases per calendar year. Association approval is required prior to occupancy. Subleasing is not permitted. |
Parking | Each residence includes private enclosed garage parking. |
Noise | Residents are expected to preserve the quiet enjoyment of the community. |
Architectural Changes | Exterior modifications and alterations affecting the building require prior Association approval. |
Security | Gated community with controlled access. |
Association rules may change over time. Buyers should verify current policies before purchasing.
Aria consists of just sixteen luxury residences.
The community was completed in 2016.
Aria offers four thoughtfully designed floor plans: Asolo, Bohème Beach, Carmen Beach, and Tosca Beach. Each residence features expansive living spaces, generous terraces, and private elevator access.
Interior living areas range from approximately 3,804 to 4,142 square feet, while select residences offer total living areas exceeding 8,000 square feet when terraces are included.
Residents enjoy a Gulf-front swimming pool and spa, the historic Villa am Meer Residents Club, Wellness Center, Guest Suite, private beach access, private enclosed garages, and beautifully landscaped beachfront grounds.
Yes. Aria enjoys nearly 300 feet of direct Gulf frontage with private beach access.
Yes. Owners may keep up to two domestic pets, subject to the Association's Rules and Regulations.
Yes. The minimum lease term is 90 days, with a maximum of two leases per calendar year. Prior Association approval is required before occupancy, and subleasing is not permitted.
Yes. Every residence includes private enclosed garage parking.
Aria combines boutique luxury living with one of Longboat Key's most remarkable preservation stories. The restored Villa am Meer serves as the community's Residents Club, creating an amenity unlike any other condominium on the island.
Yes. Visit the official Aria community website.
Every luxury condominium offers a different living experience. At Aria, floor plan, residence orientation, terrace configuration, Gulf views, building location, ownership costs, and the community's boutique atmosphere can dramatically influence which residence is the right fit. For more than four decades, Pettingell Professionals has helped buyers navigate Sarasota and Longboat Key's luxury condominium market. We've had the privilege of watching many of these communities take shape from the ground up, giving us a unique perspective on what distinguishes one building from another and how individual residences compare throughout the market. If Aria is on your shortlist, we'll help you understand not only which residence best fits your lifestyle, but also how it compares with other exceptional luxury condominium communities throughout Longboat Key and Sarasota.
Today's luxury buyers begin their search long before they schedule a private showing. They compare communities, study floor plans, evaluate amenities, review renovations, and look for trustworthy information before deciding which residences deserve a closer look. That's why we've created one of Sarasota's most comprehensive luxury condominium and residential community guides. Our goal is simple. When someone searches for Aria Longboat Key, we want them to find the most accurate, informative, and complete resource available. More importantly, we want your residence to be part of that discovery. For sellers, this matters. A luxury residence at Aria should never be presented as simply another Gulf-front condominium. It deserves to be positioned within the story of the community, the quality of its design, the exclusivity of its boutique setting, the significance of Villa am Meer, and the lifestyle that ownership offers. Combined with exceptional photography, cinematic video, strategic digital marketing, and more than four decades of experience representing Sarasota's finest properties, we position your residence where today's luxury buyers begin their search. We don't simply market luxury homes. We tell the story behind them, connect the right buyers with the right properties, and represent every client with the level of service that exceptional real estate deserves.
The Pettingell Community Guides were created to provide buyers and sellers with accurate, objective, and thoughtfully researched information about Sarasota and Longboat Key's most exceptional condominium communities, residential neighborhoods, and waterfront enclaves. Every guide is independently researched, regularly updated, and written to help you understand not only the facts about a community, but also the history, lifestyle, architecture, and details that make it unique.
Rather than relying on marketing language or generic descriptions, our goal is to create the most complete and trustworthy resource available for each community we cover. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring Sarasota's luxury real estate market, we hope these guides help you make more informed decisions and discover the communities that best fit your lifestyle.