St. Armands Real Estate

A popular destination for dining and shopping, St. Armands, Florida, is a barrier island just off the coast of Sarasota in Sarasota County. It is connected to the mainland by two bridges and is a popular spot to visit for anyone visiting the area, with its more than 130 stores in St. Armands Circle, catering to shoppers and visitors of all walks. 

In the early part of the 20th century, the key was just an island full of mangroves. In 1893, Charles St. Amand, a French man, purchased parts of the island and built a home there. The island is named after him, though the spelling differs. The famed circus man John Ringling purchased property on the island in 1917 and began a development there, including the circular shopping center. Work was begun in 1925 to construct the bridge connecting the key to island. 

St. Armands key is very tiny, but it is connected to the larger Lido Key, full of beautiful public beaches for visitors to enjoy during the day. The key has some of the area's finest restaurants, boutiques and galleries. There are many events held in the circle throughout the year, from art fairs to car shows and more. The circle also now features statues recognizing the Sarasota Circus Hall of Fame

Just a short drive away, also on Lido Key, is the Mote Marine Laboratory at City Park, with an aquarium and research facilities. The key is also less than five minutes away from downtown Sarasota, which offers a multitude of attractions from theaters, a symphony and an opera to fishing, movies and museums. For travelers, coming into St. Armands is most conveniently accessed by flying into the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The area features several colleges and universities, both private and public, and the Sarasota County Public Schools system oversees public K-12 schools in the area.