Sculptural Midcentury Art Unveils Across 5 Acres in Florida Lists for $22 Million

It’s not often that an architect is given a blank canvas and told to dream big—but that’s exactly what’s happening in Longboat Key, FL, where a mid-century masterpiece is now unfolding on 4.58 acres.

The 6,891-square-foot waterfront home, listed for $22 million, was designed by the architect. Carl Abbott-youngest member of the original Sarasota School of Architecture.

“It’s a well-built and wonderfully designed house that fits that mid-century style. It’s not cold or sterile modern, but nice, warm, natural modern,” said the co-listing agent. Katy McBrayerwho, once Montana Taplinger, in association with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

Abbott was able to “reveal the house the way he would have wanted it if he had had the space to do all his work,” McBrayer added.

“It was the first time he was able to do that, so he was very happy.”

Almost 5 acres meant that Abbott had plenty of room to build a large and unique sail.

“He was able to take the house and present it in different places,” McBrayer explained. “Many times, they are forced to put one story on top of the other, and here, you are able to open the rooms to expand all ideas.”

That means some rooms seem to float on top of huge columns. They all have high ceilings and large windows to make for a great view.

“[The architect] it was able to maximize the views and every room has an amazing view,” said McBrayer. “Lots of natural light throughout the home and the placement of the windows throughout, the light comes in beautifully throughout the day.”

This home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, which are the basements of some of these homes.

The listing price includes the adjacent lot, which McBrayer is building a large single-family parcel on Longboat Key.

“[The lots are separate] because that allows one to build a different building, like a guest house, so that you can build a different house in it to live in for multiple generations, or an au pair, or help, or that kind of thing,” he explained.

The vastness of the universe doesn’t feel local.

“Finding 5 acres inside Sarasota is almost impossible, but finding 5 acres in one of our keys is really impossible, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase,” McBrayer said. “This is one of the few big places left.”

The unique indoor space flows into the outdoor spaces, with a lagoon-style pool wrapping around the house.

“It was built to a level so that when you sit in the great living room or in the great room, when you sit down, it almost looks like the lake is coming into the water view,” he said, adding that the windows are placed in the home to have several views of the lake as you walk inside.

There is also a dock with two boat lifts and deep water access.

Sellers are looking to downsize and dispose of their assets, which they completed in 2008.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life. It’s a piece of art. I just don’t think of it as a home, really,” McBrayer said. “The dealers are very creative and so is Carl Abbott, so it’s a piece of art in itself.”

A piece of art perfect for the new collector.

“The perfect buyer is someone who wants to buy an estate for a long-term family, who appreciates land, and wants privacy,” said McBrayer. “Someone is into that mid-century modern design and would appreciate that and love the quality of gems over quantity.”