Luxury condominium towers with sweeping views of the water are a staple of prosperity and refinement in American real estate. To this effect, Manhattan, San Francisco and Miami often come to mind as major cities with waterfront districts that cater to home buyers seeking for the very best in urban dwellings. In Southwest Florida, that district is known as Golden Gate Point in Sarasota.

City life in Sarasota does not come any better than at Golden Gate Point. This upscale neighborhood is actually a 22-acre peninsula that lies at the start of the John Ringling Causeway, just south of Bayfront. There are 14 luxury condominium towers with the best architecture, interior design, lifestyle amenities, and waterfront views in all of Southwest Florida.

Most of the towers that make up Golden Gate were completed in recent years. This neighborhood was sparsely developed during the regional real estate boom; the major revitalization came in 2009 with new brick roads, elegant sidewalks, street lamps, and lush landscaping. Shortly after this major improvement, luxury condo builders felt empowered to complete their creations.

Golden Gate is not a high-rise community. Many of the buildings are not taller than eight levels, and some of them have less than eight units. The idea is to keep population density low while maximizing interior spaces and amenities.

The mid-rise and low-rise condo towers of Golden Gate Point feature a combination of Mediterranean, Caribbean and modernistic architectural designs. Pricing in this neighborhood is greatly influenced by the building, amenities, and views. A two-bedroom and two-bathroom unit that overlooks the marina can be priced under $740K, but a four-bedroom penthouse with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico, private elevator, double balconies, and yacht docking space can be listed at almost $4.5 million.

Golden Gate Point is probably the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in Sarasota. The Downtown area is just a short walk away, which means that the theaters, galleries and museums are never far away. St. Armands Circle and Lido Key are within bike riding distance, and the same goes for the beach at Siesta Key.