The Frances Carlton Condominium

1221 N. Palm Avenue – Sarasota, Florida

About The Frances Carlton

The Frances Carlton Condominium is a beautiful 1924 Mediterranean Revival, 20-unit, 3-story walk-up. The 16 one-bedroom units range in size from 660-724 sf. Of the 4 two-bedroom units, 3 range from 1124-1136 sf, and one is 1395 sf. What makes each of them particularly charming and unique is that instead of being “open” plan, even the one-bedroom units have 6 distinct rooms, plus a walk-in storage room — all with windows. Located on Palm Avenue, Sarasota’s historic setting for posh boutiques and galleries, the Frances Carlton is exceptionally well-located for the convenient enjoyment of the arts, dining, shopping, and the marina. Its same-block neighbors are two of the very best restaurants in town, Sage and Cas’Antica (who both also occupy beautiful, historic 1920’s buildings), and the 5 live theaters of Florida Studio Theatre. The Sarasota Opera House is one block away, and Whole Foods market is just two blocks further. Over a dozen other restaurants are within a 5-minute walk, as is a large, beautiful marina and several luxury hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton and Art Ovation. And just a 20-minute walk down Palm Avenue are the enchanting Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. For all these reasons, the uniquely special Frances Carlton makes for a truly charming home in a beautiful vintage building from the Jazz Age — or the very best European-style pied-à-terre in Sarasota.

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History of The Frances Carlton

Built during the Florida land boom of the Roaring 20’s, this beautiful, historic Mediterranean Revival style building was originally opened in 1924 as furnished apartments for rental to northerners, as is reflected in the vintage wrought-iron gate in front that still shows the name “Frances Carlton Apartments.” Now a condominium, this elegant Jazz Age building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The building was designed by Tampa architect Francis James, and Sarasota architect Alex Browning. Browning was a member of the original Scottish colony that settled Sarasota in 1885. The plan of this 1920’s building was unique in Sarasota. The original announcement from 1924 described the planned building as, “Spanish-Moresque style with tile roof and extended eaves, very much resembling the ancient hostelry of the Pyrenees along the Spanish border of southern France.” It consists of four blocks, the center flanks of each block connected by a stair hyphen. As a result, all units in the Frances Carlton have several windows on all sides — ideal for ventilation before the days of air conditioning. The third-floor sitting area has a staircase leading up to a room designed as an observatory — topped with a mirador. The website Sarasota History Alive notes, “The original plan also called for the innovative addition of a 30′ x 40′ roof garden.”

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