Building for a coastal town like Longboat Key is always an exciting venture for builders in the area. Many of these local builders have decades of experience building homes perfectly suited to the climate and coastal conditions of Florida. There is also no shortage of architectural styles, from mid-century to farmhouse, that builders are able to adapt to the coast’s unique sites.
If you are looking to build a new home in the area, we’ve compiled a list of the best custom home builders in Longboat Key, Florida to help you realize the coastal paradise home of your dreams. Our editorial team chose these builders based on their background, experience, and unique ability to navigate building challenges in Florida.
Perrone Construction
7045 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
Perrone Construction is renowned in Sarasota for its expertly crafted luxury waterfront homes. The firm, founded by Richard Perrone in 1980, has achieved its success by expertly managing a select group of artisans, craftsmen, architects, and niche experts who share the firm’s dedication to refined luxury. As a result, the firm was recently named Builder of the Year 2020-2021 by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gulf Coast Chapter. Aside from its industry recognition, Perrone Construction also has a reputation in Sarasota for its unrelenting pursuit of excellence in design, quality, and experience, from the onset of design, throughout the management of tradesmen, the materials used in construction, the level of detail in its finishes and the overall client experience. Having built Sarasota’s finest waterfront homes for over four decades, Perrone Construction brings the coastline a kind of quality that leaves a legacy.
Image provided by listing agent Alan Atchley. Photography by Alex Baeckmann.
One great example of the firm’s work on Longboat Key is the Acqua Vita home, one of the most sought-after residences on Longboat Key. Classic, timeless, and stately, the Acqua Vita or “water of life” is a spectacular culmination of form and function which was designed by architect Cliff Scholz and built by Perrone Construction in 2017. The architecture is Georgian based and European in nature creating an air of simple elegance. Special details in the millwork and columns set the tone. Of the over 11,000 square feet of luxury living area, the entire upper floor with over 2,800 square feet is solely dedicated to the master suite for the ultimate retreat of big views and generous spaces. The glass encapsulated circular living room deviates from more traditional Georgian architecture and was designed to capture panoramic views of Sarasota Bay. The Florida lifestyle highlights easy movement from inside to outdoor living featuring upper and lower terraces, creatively designed free-form pool and spa, and multiple outdoor ‘conversation’ areas, including fire pit and logia. Originally built as a speculative home, Acqua Vita has since sold twice – initially setting a record for the highest price paid for a Longboat Key bayfront property in 2017 and recently selling in 2021 for $9.1M.
MGB Fine Custom Homes
205 N Orange Avenue, Ste 203, Sarasota, FL 34236
For MGB Fine Custom Homes, being consistently voted one of Sarasota’s best builders is the result of its commitment to elevate the homes of the region to a luxurious standard. Aside from luxury, the firm is a big believer in sustainability and prioritizes it in its construction processes. At the heart of the firm’s practice are hard work and a firm dedication to tailoring challenging sites to clients’ needs and desires.
An example of the firm’s work on a residential project is this sunny custom home in Longboat Key. The nature-loving owners wanted their home to be light, playful, and spacious enough to accommodate their extended family. The result of their collaboration with MGB is a casual and welcoming home that takes advantage of the sub-tropical breeze, views of passing sailboats, the connection to the outdoors, and a neighboring pod of dolphins. The main living space houses a great room/covered porch, two bedrooms and baths, and a large studio for the artist-in-residence. The separate guest house on the property has two more bedroom suites and a light kitchen, as well as a second laundry room with plenty of storage.
Nautilus Homes
7126 S Beneva Road, #201 Sarasota, FL 34238
Nautilus Homes is a full-service general contractor specializing in the construction of new custom waterfront homes on the keys and estates of Sarasota. Aside from new construction, the firm also caters to extensive and historic remodeling, landscaping, as well as managing design services, all of which the firm also offers to international and out of state clients. The Nautilus Team is headed by Ryan Perrone, a second generation waterfront custom home builder in Sarasota. Ryan is the first and only certified Florida Master Builder in the Sarasota area. Interested clients can find out more about Nautilus Homes through the firm’s website, nautilus-homes.com.
Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on a luxurious waterfront home. Bildhaus, as the home is fondly called, was designed to be respectful of the scale and context of the neighborhood. At the same time, Nautilus Homes wanted to maintain privacy and provide a light, airy, and expansive space for the residents. The result of balancing all these project requirements is a stately exterior, a steel entry door, a chiseled stone block, a beautiful raw concrete landing, and wood siding. The glass garage doors with their perfectly placed lighting elements are also a visual feast. Inside, viewers will find notable features such as an expansive living room and kitchen with 16-foot ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and 10’ by 21’ sliding doors which open to reveal the modern covered outdoor living space, outdoor kitchen, and pool area.
Trinity Construction & Design LLC
2017 Fiesta Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231
Established in 2010, Sarasota-based Trinity Construction & Design LLC is a custom home building firm with a focus on home building and renovation. The firm was founded by president Michael Cocozza, who has committed the firm to integrity, transparency, organization, and quality. This philosophy has enabled the firm to build homes of distinction throughout Sarasota and create long-lasting relationships with clients and trade partners.
One example of the firm’s work is this home on Siesta Key. The clients for this project had always hoped for their dream home, but they hit a bump in the road when the original builders they hired were unable to achieve their desired quality. Trinity stepped in and worked with the clients on every little detail of the home. As a result of their partnership, Trinity and the clients were able to complete the 5,000-square-foot home in only 12 months, with the owners even acting as the project’s interior designer.
Nutter Custom Construction
3534 S Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239
Nutter Custom Construction has over three decades of experience in high-end residential construction. Whether remodeling or constructing a new home, the firm has a strong team ready to serve the areas of Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. The firm, owned by Terence Nutter, offers comprehensive services from site selection through to construction completion. Its concierge-level services reflect the efficiency with which the Nutter team works on every project.
One excellent example of the firm’s work is this bayfront home. Twin palm trees flank the entrance to this island home, whose serene blue shade is evocative of the peaceful and refreshing waters in front of the house. Inside, you will find that same trace of blue in the fixtures of the home, from carpets to throw pillows, from seats to paintings. By the backyard pool, water shoots out from the mouth of a gator statue, which adds just the right amount of Floridan character to the home. In all, the home exudes an air of island living, blending indoor and outdoor spaces catering to a distinctively Floridian lifestyle.
Anchor Builders
235 N. Orange Avenue, Ste 100, Sarasota, FL 34236
Anchor Builders was founded in 1989 by Roy Dupois to build elegant custom homes for discerning clients. The firm is discerning in the projects it takes on, only building a conservative number of homes each year in order to uphold its consistently high quality and ensure Roy’s hands-on involvement with the project throughout the entire process.
As a result of this practice, the firm has built homes of distinction across Sarasota. An example of its work is this custom home in Bradenton. The Martinique Model is a 5,857-square-foot structure, with 4,007 square feet of living space. The home was designed by Riley Interior Design, who provided exquisite decor with unmatched architectural detailing. Some of the home’s most notable features include a Grand Room, a kitchen, a dining area perfect for entertaining guests, en-suite guest bedrooms with walk-in closets, an oversized study, a custom-built bar and buffet in the dining room, and an outdoor living area with a matching outdoor kitchen.
Brista Homes
1656 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Brista Homes was founded by Mark Ursini, a builder who was involved in the construction business at a young age and comes from a family of builders. Mark’s company is committed to family values and dedicated to building and developing custom homes and full-house remodels in the Longboat Key-Sarasota area.
One great example of the firm’s work is this custom home in Bird Key. Beneath a myriad of plants and greenery is a vibrant coastal home, whose entry is flanked by two palm trees that sway with the breeze. Brista Homes was hired by Seaward Development and worked in collaboration with architect Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects and designer Linda Mixon Design. The home was completed in 2020. It features a contemporary style with clean lines throughout the home. Inside, a blue motif is also present, evoking the ocean from within the confines of the home.
Classic Homes by Clayton, Inc.
5760 Myakka Valley Trl, Sarasota, FL 34241
Duane Clayton, a LEED Accredited Professional and owner of Classic Homes by Clayton, Inc. got his start in the construction industry at the age of fifteen. Since then, he has cultivated his passion for construction and channeled it into building and renovating custom homes, additions, and outdoor living spaces. To date, Duane has built hundreds of homes in the Sarasota area, working with local architects, national home builders, and a prominent local builder in the area. Duane has since built homes in Ashley, Turtle Rock, Timberlake, Cherokee Park, Myakka Valley Ranches, The Paddocks, and other West of Trail locations.
Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on an award-winning project. This home in Sarasota has approximately 3,640 square feet of living space. Although it looks simple from the outside, the home has a number of amenities on the inside. It features four bedrooms, three full and two half bathrooms, a study, a game room, an outdoor living room with a fireplace, an upper balcony that opens up to an outdoor living area with another fireplace, an outdoor kitchen, a pool, and a spa with a linear fire pit. The home won Gold for Best Overall Home $1 to $2 Million in the 2017 SRQ Home of the Year awards. The master bath also won the best feature in the 2017 Sarasota-Manatee Parade of Homes.
Heritage Builders of West Florida, LLC
2055 Constitution Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34231
Known throughout Sarasota as a preeminent builder of luxurious custom homes, Heritage Builders constructs homes with timeless designs, open floor plans, and high standards of quality. When working with the firm, clients are free to choose their future home’s plan from one of the firm’s proven house plans. They also have the option of going for a fully unique and customized home that is specific to their own project needs and desires.
One great example of the firm’s work is on this West Indies-inspired custom home. “The Antigua” is a 3,773-square-foot structure located in the exclusive Oyster Bay Area on Camino Real. The home’s West Indies-inspired architecture delivers clean lines and the highest level of interior finishes. It features an expansive great room, four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and a custom pool/spa and outdoor living area. Other notable features of the home include rich hardwood floors, porcelain tiles, plush carpeting, 8′ solid core doors, custom hardwood cabinets, quartz and granite counters, and Low E impact rated windows with vinyl frames and Icynene insulation.
Eason Builders Group
6812 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228
Based in Longboat Key, Eason Builders Group is a full-service custom home builder with a decade of experience building elegant custom homes, waterfront retreats, vacation rentals, and investment properties. The firm is owned and operated by Scott Eason, a builder who began his career as an assistant project manager for a Sarasota-based construction firm. Under Scott’s leadership, the firm collaborates with a team of like-minded designers, engineers, surveyors, and architects who, like the firm, are committed to a singular vision and dedicated to the process.
One example of the firm’s work is this custom home, pictured below. The project was completed in collaboration with Beacon Design and Tanya Burley Designs. The home’s symmetry is underlined in the landscaping, where two tall palm trees flank the entryway. At the center of the driveway, you can find bottle palm trees and other flora, rendering the home a lively, tropical haven. Inside, you will find more traditional wooden fixtures, high ceilings, and barn doors that slide to reveal a bedroom. Outside, there is a refreshing pool and more bottle palm trees to emphasize the hope’s tropical luxury.
D.E. Robinson Construction Group
2208 Sunnyside Place, Sarasota, FL 34239
D.E. Robinson Construction Group is a luxury custom home builder that specializes in high-end waterfront residences in Sarasota, Casey Key, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Siesta Key, Nokomis, and Venice. The firm is experienced in building large complex custom projects and is a coastal, barrier island, and a Waterfront Construction specialist. D.E. Robinson is also experienced in working with the Department of Environmental Protection.
One example of the firm’s work is this custom home in Casey Key. Per guidelines and requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection, this home was built on top of concrete piles in order to remain supported in the event of catastrophic flooding and erosion. The home has 51 concrete piles, each 18″ in diameter, that extend to 35 feet below grade. The walls on the ground floor garage area are breakaway walls, designed to fall in the event of flooding to allow large waves to pass beneath the living floors above. The home also features an elevated pool supported by concrete piles and a residential elevator with stops on all three floors.
Allegra Homes
2344 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
The Sarasota-based Allegra Homes was established with family values at its core. Founder Robert T. Allegra wanted to both start a business to operate with his sons and to build custom homes for friends and neighbors. Today, the firm continues to build beautiful custom homes in Sarasota, Siesta, Bird Key, West of the Trail, and East of the Trail.
One example of the firm’s work is this 3,348-square-foot home with 2,551 square feet of living space. The home has three bedrooms, three baths, and a two-car garage and features a courtyard entry, a den/office, a master suite with triple sliders that lead to a lanai, two walk-in closets, double vanities, a water closet, a large shower, a lanai with a summer kitchen and additional covered sitting area, a bonus/game room, a great room with ceiling volume and a cupola, an open island kitchen with a walk-in pantry that adjoins the dining area, an en-suite second bedroom, and a laundry room off the two-car garage.
Bluewater Construction
Longboat Key, FL 34228
Bluewater Construction has over thirty years of experience building custom homes in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, and Anna Maria Island. The firm specializes in luxury waterfront homes and has earned a reputation for unparalleled personalized service and craftsmanship.
Pictured below is an example of the firm’s work on a residential project. This home in Longboat Key is the perfect picture of luxury. Situated at the bayfront, the home has a warm, Mediterranean feel, courtesy of its pitched tile roof and villa-like appearance. Inside, some amenities include a sitting room, a well-stocked bar, a cozy home theater, a living room with immense ceiling volume, and a kitchen with ornate light fixtures. The dominant motif is brown, the color of tree bark, which adds to the natural, tropical, and earthy feel of the home.
Jonas Yoder Custom Homes
905 Ponder Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232
Jonas Yoder, the founder of Jonas Yoder Custom Homes, started building custom homes in 1978. His focus, since the beginning, was on achieving construction excellence and building long-lasting customer relationships. Today, as Jonas works with his son Travis, they continue to build relationships with clients and with respected trade partners in the area. Some of those partners have been working with JYCH for 25 years or more.
One great example of the firm’s work is this peaceful blue cottage. Here, the ocean is never far away from your mind, because the serene hues of the paint, coupled with the indoor/outdoor lifestyle that the home’s plan promotes, are always there to remind the owners of their tropical living style. Inside, you will see classic white kitchens and bathrooms with marble countertops and a Great Room with wooden beams on the ceiling. Muted brown wood tones cap off the flooring, making the homeowners feel like they are always walking on the earth.
Ross Built Construction
305 67th St West, Bradenton, FL 34209
Based in Bradenton, Ross Built Construction is a custom home builder specializing in residential coastal construction. The firm serves Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Sarasota, and Bradenton. Led by owner Greg Ross and his team of highly-skilled professionals, Ross Built Construction is prepared to do any job or project and provide high-quality results on time.
One example of the firm’s work is the Blue Heron home in Holmes Beach. In this home, a subtle nautical theme reigns in the different shades of blue and crisp whites that deck the finishes and furnishings of the home. Its use of windows and open spaces, especially with its gorgeous back patio that opens up to the waters behind the house, makes the home brighter and more lively, as light pools into the corners of the home. And with the home’s exterior appearing sleek, structured, and solid, the openness of its back to 180-degree water views certainly comes as a pleasant and welcome surprise for guests and visitors of the home.
