Bay Isles' Signature Luxury Condominium Community
Some condominium communities are defined by their location. Grand Bay is equally defined by its vision. When Bay Isles was master planned, the intention wasn't simply to create another waterfront condominium development. The goal was to establish a residential community that would combine exceptional architecture, generous residences, expansive views, and resort-quality amenities within one of the finest locations on Longboat Key.
The result was Grand Bay. Rather than constructing a single tower, the community was thoughtfully developed as six residential buildings positioned along Sarasota Bay and the Harbourside Golf Course. Their placement allows nearly every residence to enjoy sweeping views of the bay, championship golf, tropical preserves, or the downtown Sarasota skyline, while generous spacing between the buildings preserves privacy and openness.
Some condominium communities are defined by their location. Grand Bay is equally defined by its vision.
Grand Bay has long been considered one of the premier condominium addresses within Bay Isles, attracting buyers who want spacious residences without sacrificing convenience or amenities.
Even the smallest residences in Buildings Five and Six offer generous living areas of approximately 1,300 square feet, while many residences throughout Buildings One through Four exceed 2,500 square feet. The penthouses are among the largest condominium residences on Longboat Key, rivaling many single-family homes in both scale and outdoor living space.
Grand Bay also occupies one of the highest elevations within Bay Isles, allowing many residences to capture panoramic vistas extending across Sarasota Bay, the Harbourside Golf Course, downtown Sarasota, and, from select homes, the Gulf of Mexico. A recently renovated clubhouse, resort-style pool, Har-Tru tennis courts, and private Bay Isles Beach Club membership round out one of the strongest amenity packages on Longboat Key.
Grand Bay represented an important evolution in the development of Bay Isles, introducing larger residences, more expansive amenity spaces, and a master plan that emphasized both luxury and privacy.
Rather than repeating identical buildings throughout the property, the architects introduced the Antigua, Biscayne, and Cayman layouts, each designed to maximize natural light and panoramic views through expansive walls of glass and oversized terraces.
Buildings Five and Six later introduced the Aruba, Bimini, and Capri residences, offering somewhat smaller floor plans without sacrificing the same quality of construction or spectacular setting. Nearly every residence occupies a corner or semi-corner position, maximizing natural light and unobstructed views.
Over the years, Grand Bay has continued to evolve, most recently with a comprehensive renovation of the clubhouse.
Buildings One through Four generally offer the community's largest standard residences, with living areas ranging from approximately 2,143 to 2,925 square feet. Buildings Five and Six were designed with somewhat more modest, yet still spacious, residences ranging from approximately 1,276 to 1,380 square feet. At the top of several buildings, penthouse residences offer approximately 4,413 square feet of interior living space and nearly 9,756 square feet of total area including terraces.
Pets | Up to two household pets (dogs and/or cats, or one of each) are generally permitted, subject to the Association's Rules and Regulations. Pets must be leashed on the common grounds. Guests and tenants may not bring pets. |
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Leasing | Minimum lease term is one month. Residences may be leased no more than three times per year, subject to Association approval. |
Parking | Each residence includes assigned parking. Guest parking is available in designated areas. |
Noise | Residents are expected to preserve the quiet enjoyment of the community, particularly during evening and overnight hours. |
Architectural Changes | Exterior modifications and many interior renovations affecting the building require prior Board approval. |
Beach Club | Ownership includes membership to the private Bay Isles Beach Club. |
Association rules may change over time. Buyers should verify current policies before purchasing.
Grand Bay consists of 272 luxury condominium residences spread across six residential buildings.
The community was developed in phases during the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the signature luxury condominium communities within Bay Isles.
Original floor plans include Antigua, Biscayne, Cayman, Aruba, Bimini, and Capri, along with several penthouse layouts. Mirror-image versions of many floor plans were also offered.
Living areas generally range from approximately 1,276 square feet in Buildings Five and Six to approximately 2,925 square feet in Buildings One through Four. Penthouse residences offer approximately 4,413 square feet of interior living area and nearly 9,756 square feet of total area including terraces.
Residents enjoy a recently renovated clubhouse, heated swimming pool and spa, fitness center, Har-Tru tennis courts, library, beautifully landscaped grounds, on-site management, Bay Isles Beach Club membership, and optional membership opportunities at the Longboat Key Club.
Yes. Grand Bay is located within the gated Bay Isles community.
Yes. Ownership includes membership to the private Bay Isles Beach Club on the Gulf of Mexico.
Yes. Owners may generally keep up to two household pets, subject to the Association's Rules and Regulations.
Yes. The minimum lease term is one month, with a maximum of three leases per year, subject to Association approval.
Grand Bay combines exceptionally spacious residences, multiple original floor plans, panoramic Sarasota Bay and golf course views, a recently renovated clubhouse, and one of the most comprehensive amenity packages within Bay Isles. Its generous building spacing, expansive terraces, and luxury lifestyle have made it one of Longboat Key's premier condominium communities for more than three decades.
Yes. Visit the official Grand Bay Association website. Additional information is also available on the Bay Isles community page.
Every luxury condominium offers a different living experience. At Grand Bay, building selection, floor plan, residence orientation, elevation, terrace configuration, bay and golf course views, renovation quality, and proximity to the clubhouse can all influence which residence is the right fit. Buildings One through Four offer noticeably different living spaces than Buildings Five and Six, while penthouse residences represent an entirely different ownership experience. Understanding those differences is often just as important as choosing the right view. For more than four decades, Pettingell Professionals has helped buyers navigate Sarasota and Longboat Key's luxury condominium market. We've watched communities like Grand Bay evolve over time and understand the subtle differences between its buildings, floor plans, views, and locations within Bay Isles. If Grand Bay is on your shortlist, we'll help you identify not only the residence that best fits your lifestyle, but also which building and floor plan best matches your long-term goals.
Today's luxury buyers begin their search long before they schedule a 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 Grand Bay 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 beautifully updated Grand Bay residence should never be presented as simply another condominium within Bay Isles. It deserves to be positioned within the story of the community, the quality of its renovation, its floor plan, the lifestyle it offers, and the enduring appeal of one of Longboat Key's most prestigious condominium communities. 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.