Most of us can easily spot new Florida and new communities. But “real” Florida is intricately woven into a mosaic of hidden places. Whether you’ve found a special fishing spot, a cool freshwater spring, a quiet pine forest, a secret cache of coastal sand dollars or a “yet to be discovered” restaurant featuring the freshest seafood anywhere, you know when you have found the real thing. Florida has so many treasures and finding them is one of the many joys of living here.

Florida’s west coast offers the old and new, authentic and charming. One of the most beloved “real” Florida secrets is Cortez Village. Situated in Manatee County, near Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, less than an hour south of Tampa, Cortez is the last remaining Florida fishing village.

Only a bridge away from the sparkling blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and white sandy beaches of Anna Maria Island, Cortez Village hugs the shore of the mainland on the northern end of Sarasota Bay.

There’s real Florida & There’s new Florida

Hunters Point4515 125th Street, Cortez, Florida 34215

Premier Sotheby’s International RealtyThe Plaza at Five Points50 Central Avenue, Suite 110Sarasota, Florida 34236

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully.

Terry Hayes941.302.3100terry.hayes@sothebysrealty.comdiscoverannamaria.com

hUnTers PoinT aMeniTiesFloor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, custom woodwork and built-in cabinetry, elevator, granite countertops, climate-controlled pantry, security and intercom systems, gardens and fruit trees, screened-in porch, weathered wood boardwalk, 3 docks, lift system and watercraft garage, wraparound terraces and balconies, swimming pool, underground lawn sprinkler system and more.

Offered at $3,949,000premiersir.com/id/a3970087

Originally settled in the late 1880s by families who carved out a hardy, tough Florida living, Cortez is a place that embraces its heritage as a maritime community. Fishermen and locals can often be found building and refurbishing boats when they aren’t fishing.

As in days of long ago, Cortez continues to exist as an “Old Florida” outpost, anchored by a nearby 95-acre wildlife preserve, a local historical museum dedicated to preserving its cultural heritage and some of Florida’s best, and freshest, seafood restaurants.

a hoMe oF Place & Privacy It is in this real Florida setting that Premier Sotheby’s International Realty presents the property, Hunters Point, referring to the community’s original name, before it became Cortez Village.

Along the bayfront on the southwest side sits Hunters Point, a two-acre sanctuary and compound that blends the old and new with stunning architectural design, lush grounds and spacious waterfront views. The Hunters Point estate is a place for those who want authentic Florida living while enjoying the modern comforts of a main residence, detached guesthouse, four separate “real Florida” cottages, three deepwater docks and three additional lots, all within one unique estate.

Mesmerizing water views will carry you to a personal nirvana. Fish jump, pelicans glide by, shore birds meet the low tide under a sky of puffy white clouds reflected in the calm bay waters. In the distance a parade of boats navigate the Intracoastal Waterway. You’ll be forever tempted to jump into your boat for a five-minute ride into the sparkling blue Gulf of Mexico.

reFlecTing TradiTion & valUesThe main home and guesthouse were conceived, designed and

developed by the owners, a European couple in conjunction with talented architect Jack West and renowned builder Brent Whitehead. The team incorporated characteristics and features that reflected the couple’s ideals and values. Beginning with a core family value of “community,” the couple chose to embrace and commit to the neighborhood and residents through active volunteerism and outreach.

Continuing their mission, they maintained a commitment to the surrounding environment by designing a home with state-of-the-art energy saving concepts incorporating an abundance of windows and sliding glass doors opening the living spaces to sunlight and tropical breezes.

A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace provides a central area to lounge and enjoy family time. Custom woodwork and built-in cabinetry are common throughout the home focusing careful attention to its minimalistic design and soothing ambiance. The home also features amenities such as heated bathroom floors, granite countertops and sleek home appliances including a climate-controlled pantry. Even an indoor elevator makes the upper level accessible without climbing the stairs.

The lush semi-tropical outdoor landscape is perfectly matched to the level of comfort and ease of the indoor environment. Lovely landscaping reflects the value of the natural Florida environment while offering a shady canopy of gardens, fruit and flowering trees that create a personal paradise. Step outside or enjoy the view from the ground level screened-in porch. You might want to pick a mango off the tree or even a delicious Florida orange right from the yard.

Main Residence, Detached Guesthouse, 4 Cottages and 3 Additional Lots11 Bedrooms, 9 Full Baths and 1 Half Bath4,101 Square Feet Under Air

Careful consideration was given to the property’s 500 feet of Intracoastal Waterway frontage. Large boulders were carefully placed amongst the native Florida mangroves. Weathered wood boardwalks to the docks create a pleasing and environmentally-friendly transition from habitat to nature. Deepwater docks, lift systems and a watercraft garage will support a broad and diverse range of boating activities.

Outdoor areas are designed to provide a range of views to inspire, renew and relax. Wraparound terraces with aqua blue water views create a peaceful retreat. Take a morning dip in the pool and soak in the Florida sun on the many balconies surrounding the home. A spiral staircase leads from one breathtaking view to another.

charlie’s Fish caMPRespecting the past, the owners chose to combine the old with the new by retaining and refurbishing the existing “fishing”

cottages. Called Charlie’s Guest Cottages and Fish Camp, these small Florida Cracker homes have been refurbished with pine wood floors and a fun, comfy cottage décor complete with private dockage and views of the surrounding waterways. The charm of the cottages combined with the main home creates the perfect balance for an ideal compound.

venTUring oUTHungry for dinner? Walk to two of the freshest seafood restaurants in all of Florida—the Star Fish Company

and the Cortez Kitchen. Both dish out the fresh local seafood Florida is so well known for—especially here. Choosing which one first will be your only chore.

Walking through Cortez Village you’ll soon get to know locals by name as they stroll by or pass on their bicycle. You may meet some who live in the small, quaint nearby waterfront Cortez Park, considered one of Florida’s oldest trailer parks. These residents, who have their own culture and style, add to the character and charm of Cortez and its unique “sense of place.”

Once settled in Cortez you may not feel the need to venture further, but if you do your first stop may be a visit to the barrier island of Anna Maria, with its own separate history, charm, shops and restaurants. It’s just across the bridge.

At the end of the day, whether you have ventured out or not, you will want to find your favorite spot to watch the setting sun and soft palette of clouds filling the sky. As light fades and stars begin to twinkle, you can breathe in the salty air and think to yourself, “I have found my real paradise.”