Condo on the Bay places established condominium living directly on Sarasota Bay, combining two 18-story towers, 20 marina suites, extensive waterfront recreation and convenient access to downtown Sarasota. Its mix of large balconies, boating facilities, pools, racquet sports and multiple residence configurations gives buyers far more to compare than simply floor level and asking price.

Located along Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota, Florida 34236, Condo on the Bay occupies more than eight acres directly on Sarasota Bay. Hunt Brothers Realty identifies the community at 888 Boulevard of the Arts, while the two principal towers are associated with 888 and 988 Boulevard of the Arts. The community dates to 1982 and remains one of the more substantial established condominium properties along Sarasota's downtown bayfront.

Buyers can explore current Condo on the Bay properties with Hunt Brothers Realty to review live availability as individual residences enter and leave the market.

A Bayfront Community With More Than Two Towers

The high-rise towers are the most visible part of Condo on the Bay, but they do not tell the entire story. The condominium association states that the community consists of two 18-story towers and 20 marina suites on more than eight acres directly on Sarasota Bay.

The marina suites give Condo on the Bay a residential format that differs from a strictly high-rise development. Buyers can therefore encounter tower residences as well as lower-profile waterfront homes within the same broader community.

The two tower associations were established in 1982, according to current Florida corporate records. Tower I and Tower II remain separate legal condominium associations within the larger Condo on the Bay setting, an important distinction when buyers review governing documents, budgets and property-specific obligations.

The Strongest Purchase Depends on the Individual Residence

Condo on the Bay offers enough variation that buyers should avoid evaluating the community as though every unit were interchangeable. Tower, floor plan, floor level, orientation, renovation, bathroom configuration, balcony, parking and potential boating rights can all materially change the ownership experience.

A useful comparison should include:

• Tower residence versus marina suite
• Interior square footage and actual floor plan
• Bedroom and bathroom configuration
• Floor level and view corridor
• Balcony size and sun exposure
• Renovation history and permits
• Windows, doors and mechanical systems
• Parking and storage rights
• Boat-slip or marina rights when applicable
• Association budget and reserves
• Insurance and flood considerations
• Current assessments or planned capital work
• Pet and leasing restrictions

Availability changes continuously. View current Condo on the Bay listings and community information with Hunt Brothers Realty to compare properties that are actually on the market.

Floor Plans Give Buyers Several Ways to Live on the Bay

Condo on the Bay is not built around a single repetitive condominium layout. The association publishes multiple named floor-plan stacks for the towers as well as two separate marina-suite configurations.

Tower floor plans are identified by names including Cezanne, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir and Van Gogh, while the marina suites use Chopin and Mozart plans. The association also identifies the corresponding tower stacks for each configuration, reinforcing that unit position within the building is closely connected to layout and exposure.

Current and recent market offerings demonstrate how much residence size can vary. Two-bedroom, two-bath condominiums have appeared at approximately 1,288, 1,555, 1,642 and 1,729 square feet, while larger three-bedroom residences can extend beyond 2,300 square feet. Combined residences can be considerably larger.

For buyers, that variation makes bedroom count only the beginning of the comparison. Interior square footage, bathroom configuration, balcony geometry, exposure, renovation history and the relationship between living areas and views can all differ from one unit to another.

Large Balconies Make the Waterfront Part of Daily Living

Hunt Brothers Realty highlights large private balconies as one of Condo on the Bay's defining residence features. In the towers, those outdoor areas extend the living space toward Sarasota Bay, the marina and the downtown skyline.

Orientation matters. A residence facing broadly toward Sarasota Bay can deliver a different visual experience from one emphasizing marina, city or mixed water-and-city views. Higher floors generally open longer sightlines, while lower residences can create a closer connection to the waterfront grounds and boating activity.

Buyers should evaluate the view from the actual living room, primary bedroom and balcony rather than relying only on a listing description. Sun exposure, neighboring structures and balcony depth can influence how usable an outdoor space feels throughout the day.

Two Pools, Pickleball, Tennis and Fitness Expand the Amenity Package

The current condominium association amenity list is considerably more detailed than a basic pool-and-fitness offering. Condo on the Bay maintains recreational facilities on both the north and south sides of the property, creating multiple places for exercise and waterfront recreation.

• North and south swimming pools
• Four lighted pickleball courts
• A lighted tennis court
• North and south exercise facilities
• North and south sauna rooms
• Meeting and social rooms
• Libraries for tower residents
• Sky lobbies in the towers
• Concierge service in Tower I and Tower II
• Covered parking
• Electric-vehicle charging
• 24-hour staffed security gatehouse
• Night security

These amenities are spread across an established waterfront property rather than concentrated onto a single resort deck. That layout gives Condo on the Bay a different feel from newer condominium towers where nearly every shared feature is grouped on one amenity level.

Boating Is More Than a View at Condo on the Bay

Condo on the Bay offers direct Sarasota Bay access. The association identifies boat docks on both the north and south sides of the property, with lifts allowed at the docks, along with kayak racks and lifts and fishing piers.

That physical access distinguishes the community from downtown condominiums that overlook Sarasota Bay without providing boating infrastructure. Owners interested in kayaking, fishing or keeping a boat close to home have facilities integrated into the property itself.

Boat-slip rights still require individual verification. Buyers should determine whether a slip is included with a particular residence, separately assigned, leased or subject to availability. Vessel dimensions, lift requirements, utilities, insurance provisions and current dock rules should also be reviewed directly with the association before purchase.

Bayfront, Not Beachfront: A Distinction Worth Understanding

Condo on the Bay is directly on Sarasota Bay, not directly on a Gulf of Mexico beach. That difference shapes the ownership experience.

The community emphasizes bay views, boating, fishing and proximity to downtown Sarasota. Buyers prioritizing direct access to Gulf sand should compare it with properties on Lido Key, Longboat Key or Siesta Key instead.

Hunt Brothers Realty identifies Lido Key and Longboat Key among the nearby Gulf beach destinations. Reaching those barrier islands requires traveling from downtown across the local causeway network rather than walking directly from the condominium onto a Gulf beach.

Downtown Sarasota Begins Just Beyond the Waterfront

One of Condo on the Bay's strongest location characteristics is the combination of waterfront space and proximity to Sarasota's urban core. Boulevard of the Arts connects the property with U.S. 41 and downtown streets, while Sarasota's bayfront cultural and recreational destinations are nearby.

Hunt Brothers Realty specifically highlights access to The Bay Sarasota, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Bayfront Park, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Opera House, the Rosemary District and the Ringling Causeway, among other downtown destinations.

The Bay is particularly relevant because it expands the public waterfront environment surrounding this part of downtown Sarasota. For a Condo on the Bay owner, the location therefore combines private condominium amenities with access to a much broader bayfront park and cultural district.

The Marina Suites Offer a Different Alternative to High-Rise Living

The community's 20 marina suites deserve separate attention because they provide a different physical relationship to the waterfront than an 18-story tower residence.

The association identifies two marina-suite floor plans, Chopin and Mozart. Their lower-profile setting places them closer to marina activity and the grounds, creating a different sense of scale from an upper-floor condominium with broad elevated views.

Buyers comparing a marina suite with a tower residence should consider privacy, outdoor exposure, elevation, parking, floor plan and water proximity separately. The governing association and applicable documents should also be confirmed because the marina suites have their own condominium association structure.

Pets and Leasing Require Association-Level Verification

Hunt Brothers Realty currently identifies pets as permitted subject to association guidelines and states that lease restrictions apply. Those statements should be treated as starting points rather than permanent rules.

Condo on the Bay includes multiple associations, and policies can be amended. A buyer should review the current declaration, bylaws, rules and regulations for the exact residence under consideration before relying on information from an older listing or third-party property page.

Pet limits, lease duration, leasing frequency, application procedures and guest requirements should all be verified directly with the applicable association. Hunt Brothers Realty is not affiliated with the condominium associations.

Association Finances Belong Near the Top of a Buyer's Checklist

For an established Florida waterfront condominium, the residence itself is only part of the purchase analysis. Buyers should also understand the financial and physical condition of the applicable condominium association.

Review the current budget, reserve information, recent financial statements, insurance coverage, structural inspection documentation, maintenance records and any pending or approved special assessments. The official Condo on the Bay website currently maintains resident areas for financial documents, maintenance reports, project updates, wind and flood information and special-assessment information, underscoring the range of building-level issues that owners may need to monitor.

Because fees and assessments can change, historical monthly amounts should not be treated as permanent. Current association documents and transaction-specific estoppel information provide a more appropriate basis for a purchase decision.

The Bay Park Adds Another Dimension to the Location

Condo on the Bay's position near The Bay Sarasota gives owners access to a major public waterfront destination in addition to the condominium's private amenities. Hunt Brothers Realty specifically identifies The Bay among the nearby parks and recreation destinations associated with the community.

That creates a broader outdoor environment than the condominium property alone. An owner can use the community's pools, racquet facilities, marina and waterfront areas while remaining close to public walking routes, open spaces and programming around Sarasota's bayfront.

For buyers comparing downtown condominium locations, proximity to these waterfront public spaces may be just as relevant as distance to restaurants or Main Street.

Condo on the Bay Brings Boating and Downtown Sarasota Together

Condo on the Bay occupies a distinctive position in the Sarasota condominium market. Its two 18-story towers and 20 marina suites sit on more than eight acres directly on Sarasota Bay, supported by two pools, pickleball, tennis, exercise facilities, concierge service, covered parking, docks, kayak facilities and staffed security.

At the same time, the development's early-1980s origins make property-specific and association-level due diligence especially important. Individual residences vary in layout, condition, floor level, view, parking and renovation history, while marina and association rights should always be confirmed independently.

Explore Condo on the Bay real estate with Hunt Brothers Realty to review current availability and compare this established bayfront community with other downtown Sarasota, boating and waterfront condominium options.