Gracewater Sarasota: New Construction Between Downtown & the Beaches
- Audra Lane
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
If you've been house hunting in Sarasota and feeling stuck between “too far from everything” and “too expensive to be close to everything,” Gracewater is worth a look. This new gated community sits just minutes from downtown Sarasota, with easy access to SRQ airport, the area's famous beaches, and the shops and restaurants of University Town Center (UTC). Few new communities in the area can match that combination of location and convenience.
Why the Location Works
Gracewater's biggest selling point might simply be where it sits. Downtown Sarasota's restaurants, galleries, and waterfront are a short 3-mile drive away, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is close enough to make travel painless. Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Lido Key are all within easy reach for beach days, and UTC (University Town Center) covers pretty much every shopping and dining need in between. It's the kind of central spot that lets residents skip the long commutes that come with a lot of new development further out.
The community itself is built around water, too. Thirteen lakes wind through the property, so many home sites end up with a water view rather than a view of a neighbor's backyard.
Something for Everyone: Three Builders, Three Styles
What makes Gracewater stand out is the mix of builders on site, each bringing a different kind of home to the table:
David Weekley Homes is building paired villas — an efficient, low-maintenance option with open-concept layouts, 2 to 3 bedrooms, and 2-car garages. These are a strong fit for buyers who want a lock-and-leave lifestyle without sacrificing style, whether that's downsizers, snowbirds, or first-time buyers who want to be in a well-located community without taking on a large single-family home. Pricing starts from the $430s before options, making this a strong value play for the location.
Privada Homes is building single-family homes with available pool options, aimed at buyers who want more space, a private backyard retreat, and room to grow. These homes lean into the indoor-outdoor Florida lifestyle that draws so many people to Sarasota in the first place. Privada Homes offers single-family residences ranging from the high $500s up to $1M, depending on options.
Lee Wetherington Homes, a well-established and highly rated local builder, is bringing 12 custom estate homes to the community — a great fit for buyers who want more square footage, more customization, and a higher-end finish level in a central Sarasota location. As a custom builder, pricing varies by plan and options — reach out to me for details.
Between the three builders, Gracewater covers a wide range of budgets and lifestyles inside one gated entrance, which is unusual for a single community.
Amenities Built for Relaxation and Everyday Life
Gracewater's amenity package is centered on its clubhouse, Pura Vida, which anchors the community's social life. Residents can expect:
• A zero-entry, resort-style pool with cabanas
• A state-of-the-art fitness center
• Pickleball courts
• A dedicated dog park (Peppa's Park)
• An on-site Lifestyle Director who organizes community events
Many homes throughout the community also come with upgraded standard features — think 10-foot ceilings, impact windows and doors, quartz countertops, and tankless water heaters — the kind of details that are often costly add-ons elsewhere. And Gracewater's HOA supports a maintenance-free lifestyle, handling lawn care and landscaping so homeowners can spend more time enjoying the community's amenities than tending to yard work.
The Bottom Line
Gracewater offers something a lot of single-builder communities can't: real variety without asking buyers to compromise on location or amenities. Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance villa, a family home with a pool, or a custom estate, you have your own path into this community — and all of it comes with the kind of Sarasota location that's getting much harder to find in new construction.
Want to Explore What is Available at Gracewater?
New home sites and builder inventory can change quickly. I can help you compare current availability, pricing, incentives, and floor plans across all three builders—and make sure you have your own representation when you visit. Call or message today and I'll provide you with the most up-to-date information!
I can't wait to help you plan your new home by the sea. 🌊 - Audra Lane, REALTOR®, CIPS | Preferred SHORE
Connect: https://linktr.ee/AudraByTheSea
© 2026 Audra by the Sea | Audra Lane, LLC
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