Emerald Harbor in Longboat Key is a luxurious, vintage neighborhood that evokes the feeling of an Old Florida seaside community. Emerald Harbor was envisioned five decades ago by developers who wanted to create an upscale boating community.

These days, Emerald Harbor is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Longboat Key. Whereas other communities in this barrier island focus on providing a resort lifestyle, the ambiance at Emerald Harbor is that of a suburban enclave for boaters. The neighborhood is located next door to a marina, but many of the homeowners here enjoy private docking space.

The predominant architectural styles at Emerald Harbor include Florida ranches, Mediterranean estates and Key West homes. Most of the 83 properties feature waterfront views; the rest look out into a mangrove that protects the harbor from tropical storms.

Real estate sales activity at Emerald Harbor is moderate. Homeowners tend to hold on to their properties, but a handful of motivated sellers can be found at any given time. Pricing starts at $815K for a three-bedroom, two bathroom Florida ranch complete with a swimming pool, private docking space and a boat lift protected by a concrete seawall.

House hunters looking for spectacular real estate will certainly find it at Emerald Harbor. A mid-2015 listing of a remodeled, three-bedroom and four-bathroom Mediterranean estate with 4,378 square feet of interior space and a semi private canal was priced at $1.85 million. A couple of premium lots are also available for those who wish to build a spec home.

Emerald Harbor residents mostly enjoy boating, fishing and walking to the nearby Longboat Key beach. The closest shopping center includes a Publix GreenWise Market, located just a few minutes south. For even more shopping and entertainment, there’s St. Armands, Bradenton Beach and Sarasota, which are less than 20 minutes away.