Bristol North: Island Condo Living Close to Downtown Venice

by Hunt Brothers Realty

Bristol North is a small condominium community at 210 Park Boulevard North on Venice Island in Venice, Florida, positioned between historic Downtown Venice and Venice Beach. Built in 1970, the 20-unit community offers compact one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences in a low-rise setting, with common laundry, storage and assigned parking represented in current property information. Its strongest lifestyle advantage is location. Restaurants, shops, parks, public recreation and downtown events are nearby in one direction, while the Gulf of Mexico and Venice Beach are nearby in the other, making Bristol North particularly relevant for buyers prioritizing walkable island living.

For buyers comparing Venice Island condominiums, Bristol North offers a different experience from a large resort-style development. The community itself is relatively simple, while much of the recreation and lifestyle value comes from the surrounding island, including Downtown Venice, Hecksher Park, Centennial Park, Venice Beach and access toward the area's walking and bicycling network.

Quick Answers About Bristol North

Where Is Bristol North in Venice?

Bristol North is located at 210 Park Boulevard North on Venice Island. The property sits north of West Venice Avenue in a residential area convenient to both historic Downtown Venice and Venice Beach.

How Many Condos Are at Bristol North?

Bristol North contains 20 condominium residences. Property records identify the community as dating to 1970, giving buyers an established, relatively small-scale alternative to larger condominium developments.

What Sizes Are Bristol North Condos?

Verified property records show one-bedroom Bristol North residences around 554 square feet and two-bedroom residences around 793 square feet. Historical records also show at least one larger corner residence reported at 986 square feet. Buyers should verify the legal living area and configuration of the specific unit they are considering.

Is Bristol North Close to Downtown Venice?

Yes. Historic Downtown Venice is one of Bristol North's principal location advantages. Venice MainStreet identifies West Venice Avenue and the surrounding downtown streets as a district of locally owned restaurants, boutiques, services, parks and community events, with Centennial Park at its center.

Is Bristol North Close to Venice Beach?

Yes. Bristol North is also conveniently positioned for access to Venice Beach, giving owners the ability to combine downtown activities with Gulf Coast recreation. Buyers who intend to walk or bicycle to the beach should personally test their preferred route because comfort depends on weather, traffic, mobility and the beach access point used.

What Amenities Does Bristol North Have?

Current property information identifies common laundry, storage and assigned parking at Bristol North. The community does not need an extensive private recreation complex to provide convenient recreation because public facilities at nearby Hecksher Park include tennis, pickleball, basketball, shuffleboard and other amenities.

What Should Buyers Verify Before Purchasing at Bristol North?

Buyers should verify current condominium fees, budgets, reserves, assessments, insurance, maintenance responsibilities, pet and leasing restrictions, parking, storage, laundry arrangements, flood information and the condition of the specific residence. Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to condominium documents buyers should review before closing provides a useful framework for that review.

What Makes Bristol North's Venice Island Location Stand Out?

Bristol North's location is the community's clearest differentiator. Rather than being positioned solely for beach access or solely for downtown living, the Park Boulevard North address places owners between both environments. That makes everyday trips to restaurants, parks and shops practical while keeping the Gulf shoreline within the broader neighborhood.

Venice MainStreet describes historic Downtown Venice as a district extending beyond West Venice Avenue to include Tampa Avenue, Miami Avenue, Nokomis Avenue, Nassau Street and other connecting streets. Restaurants, boutiques, cafes and services are distributed through this compact district, with Centennial Park serving as a central public space.

For a Bristol North buyer, this means the surrounding island functions almost like an extension of the community's amenity package. Instead of relying exclusively on private facilities, owners can use nearby parks, beaches, shops, restaurants and cultural destinations.

How Walkable Is Bristol North to Downtown Venice?

Bristol North is well positioned for buyers who want to make walking or bicycling part of their Venice Island routine. Current and historical property listings consistently emphasize the community's proximity to both Downtown Venice and the beach, while official downtown information confirms that shops, restaurants, parks and community destinations are concentrated within the island's historic core.

Downtown's central public space, Centennial Park, is at 200 West Venice Avenue. The City of Venice identifies the park as being surrounded by shops and restaurants and equipped with a gazebo, pedestrian walkways, picnic areas, restrooms and an interactive fountain.

Walkability should still be evaluated personally rather than treated as a universal measurement. A buyer should walk the routes to the restaurants, beach access, grocery options, parks or cultural destinations that matter most and consider heat, rain, intersections, traffic and individual mobility.

What Public Recreation Is Near Bristol North?

Hecksher Park gives Bristol North residents access to an unusually broad range of public recreation without requiring those facilities to be maintained as part of the condominium itself. The City of Venice identifies Hecksher Park at 450 West Venice Avenue with pickleball and tennis courts, basketball, racquetball and handball courts, shuffleboard, a playground, picnic facilities and lighting for night play.

This is an important distinction when comparing condominium communities. A development with extensive private amenities may charge owners to maintain those facilities through association expenses. Bristol North buyers can instead evaluate a simpler private community while having substantial municipal recreation nearby.

The City of Venice also maintains a broader park system with walking and bicycling opportunities, including Venetian Waterway Park. Venice MainStreet notes that the Venetian Waterway Park and Legacy Trail network connects directly with Downtown Venice, expanding recreational options beyond the immediate island blocks.

What Are Bristol North Condos Like?

Bristol North consists primarily of compact condominium residences suited to buyers who prioritize location over extensive private square footage. Verified current listings show one-bedroom, one-bath residences around 554 square feet, while historical and rental records document two-bedroom, two-bath layouts around 793 square feet. A larger corner configuration has also been reported at approximately 986 square feet.

Unit condition varies. Some residences have undergone kitchen, bathroom, flooring, electrical, HVAC or other improvements, while others may retain older finishes. Screened or enclosed porch areas have also appeared in individual property records, but buyers should not assume that every residence has the same outdoor space or interior configuration.

Does Bristol North Have Private In-Unit Laundry?

Current property information identifies a common laundry facility for the community. Buyers should verify the laundry arrangement for the specific residence and review association rules before assuming that private laundry equipment can be installed or modified.

Is Storage Available?

Storage is identified as a Bristol North association amenity in current property information, and historical listings have described individual storage areas associated with residences. The exact storage rights and dimensions should be confirmed for the specific unit because they can materially affect how comfortably a compact condominium functions.

How Does Bristol North Compare With Other Venice Island Condos?

Bristol North is best compared by location, scale and simplicity rather than by an extensive amenity list. Buyers seeking a pool, larger private balcony, elevator, garage or more elaborate common facilities may prefer another Venice Island community. Buyers prioritizing compact living near both Downtown Venice and the beach may view Bristol North differently.

For example, Las Palmas condos on Venice Island offer another low-rise island option with a community pool, while Gulf N Bay condominiums provide another choice near the Gulf and Intracoastal Waterway. Buyers can also compare Bristol North with Coco Palms on West Venice Avenue, an established community positioned between Downtown Venice and the Gulf.

The better choice depends on how a buyer ranks square footage, private amenities, beach proximity, downtown access, parking, association expenses and building condition.

What Should Buyers Know About a 1970 Venice Island Condominium?

An established condominium should be evaluated beyond the appearance of the individual unit. Bristol North dates to 1970, so buyers should understand the condition and maintenance history of shared building components as well as any renovations inside the residence.

Historical MLS information reported roof and exterior-painting work completed in 2017, but buyers should obtain current records rather than relying on an older listing to assess present building condition. Review recent association meeting minutes, budgets, financial statements, reserve information, insurance documentation and records of completed or proposed capital projects.

Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to buying a condominium with a pending special assessment explains why buyers should evaluate both the assessment and the underlying work, association finances, reserves and building condition.

What Should Buyers Review About Bristol North's Condo Association?

Current listings identify Bristol North as condominium ownership with association approval required. They also report association-provided services such as water, sewer and trash, while other items have appeared in historical records. Buyers should obtain the current budget and governing documents to establish exactly what today's fees include.

A practical review should include:

Current condominium assessments and payment schedule
Exactly what the regular assessment includes
Current operating budget and recent financial statements
Reserve information and capital planning
Current, pending or recently completed special assessments
Master insurance coverage and applicable deductibles
Owner versus association maintenance responsibilities
Current pet policies
Current leasing restrictions and approval requirements
Assigned parking rights and vehicle restrictions
Storage rights
Laundry rules and facilities
Recent association meeting minutes

Recent individual listings report that pets are not permitted and that leasing restrictions apply, but buyers should confirm the current rules directly from governing documents before relying on those statements. Association policies can change, and the governing documents control over marketing descriptions.

What About Flood and Insurance Considerations?

Insurance and flood review are important for any coastal condominium purchase, including a Venice Island property. Buyers should verify the current flood-zone information for Bristol North, understand what the association's master insurance covers and determine what separate unit-owner coverage may be appropriate for the individual residence.

Do not treat the association's insurance as a substitute for property-specific insurance research. Coverage, deductibles, premiums and underwriting requirements can change. Buyers should obtain current insurance information from the association and review property-specific coverage and costs with a qualified Florida insurance professional before making a purchasing decision.

Who Should Consider Bristol North?

Bristol North may be particularly relevant for buyers who want a compact Venice Island condominium and place greater value on location than on a large private amenity package. Its position between Downtown Venice and the Gulf gives residents access to many of the activities that define island living without requiring those amenities to be contained inside the condominium complex.

Bristol North may deserve consideration if your priorities include:

Living on Venice Island
Convenient access to historic Downtown Venice
Proximity to Venice Beach
A small 20-unit condominium community
Compact one-bedroom or two-bedroom living
Nearby tennis, pickleball, basketball and other public recreation
Assigned parking and shared storage
A location where walking and bicycling can be part of everyday island life

Buyers who need substantially more interior space, private garages or extensive on-site recreation may find another community better aligned with their priorities. Hunt Brothers Realty's condo, townhome and single-family home comparison can help buyers evaluate broader property-type differences.

Is Bristol North Worth Considering?

Bristol North is worth comparing for buyers seeking an established, small-scale Venice Island condominium near both Downtown Venice and the Gulf. Its 20-unit size, compact floor plans and straightforward shared facilities make the community substantially different from larger resort-style condominiums, while its location provides access to many of Venice Island's most useful amenities outside the property itself.

The final decision should be based on the individual residence and current association information. Interior condition, association finances, reserves, insurance, assessments, flood information, parking, storage, pet and leasing policies and total ownership costs can all affect whether a specific Bristol North condo fits a buyer's plans.

Explore Venice Island Condos With Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty can help buyers compare Bristol North with other Venice Island condominiums based on location, beach and downtown access, floor plan, property condition, parking, association considerations and current availability. Explore Las Palmas condos, compare Gulf N Bay condominiums, review the Hunt Brothers Realty Florida Buyer Resource Center, or contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss current Venice Island opportunities.

Informational notice: This article provides general real estate and condominium information for educational purposes and is not individualized legal, financial, tax, insurance, lending, inspection, engineering, construction, title or association advice. Condominium fees, reserves, assessments, insurance, flood information, maintenance responsibilities, pet rules, leasing restrictions, parking, storage and other requirements can change. Buyers should review current governing documents and property-specific information before making a purchasing decision. Legal and ownership questions should be reviewed with a qualified Florida real estate attorney or appropriate title professional, insurance matters with a qualified insurance professional, financial and tax matters with the appropriate qualified professionals, and property or building condition with qualified inspectors, engineers, contractors or other appropriate professionals.