A Design Trifecta

Legacy Builders introduces three new home designs

by Sue Cullen

Good design is transcendent both in the sense that it transports us beyond an ordinary experience, and also because its principles broadly encompass a multitude of styles and tastes. This axiom comes alive in three custom homes built by Legacy Builders whose designs range from a crisply modern confection to a cheerful coastal-style homage to Key West and a contemporary West Indies home where one can almost experience the spice-scented breezes of Caribbean isles.

Modern architectural design is intricately woven into Sarasota’s history, and the Sandrift by Legacy Builders (941.412.4901/legacybuilderssarasota.com) lives up to the great Sarasota School of Architecture’s heritage. Witness the recognition it gained at the 2017 Parade of Homes, walking away with a Best Overall award along with Best awards for kitchen, master suite, floor plan, architectural detail, interior design, and pool in its category.

The two-story, three-bedroom, three-bath Sandrift home packs a lot of “wow” into 2,477 square feet, a trademark of Legacy Builders’ owners Mike and Wendy Greig. A glass-railed floating staircase, framed by an up-lit, textured wall and a well of white rocks beneath, greets visitors at the front entrance. “People today are looking for things that are beautiful and functional at the same time, and this floating staircase perfectly merges design and function,” says Legacy Builders’ in-house interior designer Sybill Johnson. “The backsplash in the kitchen is glass, which looks very sleek and eliminates grout lines so it’s easier to keep clean.”

Other features of the Sandrift, in the historic and desirable Burns Court area near downtown at 1679 Alderman St., Sarasota, include an elevator, gourmet kitchen with color-changing under-cabinet lighting, and an outdoor living area with a kitchen, 18-foot fire pit, and a stunning pool with a blue glass tile spa and accent wall with two sheer-descent waterfalls that immediately pull the eye outdoors.

A coastal-inspired home at 1750 Fortuna St., west of the Trail and just off Siesta Drive near the North bridge to Siesta Key, has a 3,098 square foot open plan with four bedrooms, four baths, a flex room and loft. “This home has a more of a fresh coastal feel with exterior plank siding, shutters and a metal roof reminiscent of Key West cottages,” Johnson says. “There is a great wine room tucked under the staircase, which has a cable railing, and it has a weathered wood floor throughout, along with wood cladding and beams.”

The kitchen features simple Shaker cabinets and leather finish granite countertops that are low gloss and absolutely invite a visitor to touch them. As with the Sandrift home, equal attention has been given to outdoor living areas. The unique lagoon pool becomes a submerged living area with a high backed “couch” for lounging tucked into one corner and full eat-in table with bench seating along with a raised spa.

Legacy Builders also featured in the Parade of Homes a 2,957 square foot home off Bayshore Drive, at 580 Bellora Way, near the Ringling Museum and with easy access to the city’s cultural venues and downtown. The three-bedroom, three-bath home has an open great room plan with a warm modern feel inside and out. The exterior lines are clean and simple with a West Indies ambiance. The striking entranceway features porcelain tile that looks like wood, but without the maintenance wood requires in this climate.

“Trends across the board are going to clean lines regardless of style, and that is reflected in this home,” Johnson says. “The plan is really spectacular with vaulted ceilings, floating cabinets in the bathroom, and very large format 32” x 32” white tile that gives it a great look, but also has minimal grout lines for easy maintenance. It gives the look of polished concrete, but you don’t have to contend with the cracking.”

The Alderman Street and Bellora Way homes are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the Fortuna Street home may be seen by appointment, Johnson says. “Legacy Builders is a true custom builder. We build out homes based on our clients needs and wants. I don’t think we’ve ever built the same home twice,” she says. “We can build Mediterranean-style homes and trending styles such as modern, West Indies and Coastal. We can build any type of home. Regardless of the style home our clients want, we use the latest, most green way of doing things, and we’re always looking for the latest methods to make things even better. I’m with our clients from start to finish, providing a concierge-level of service, which helps everything flow better and ensures wonderful outcomes.”