Some of the most spectacular real estate in Southwest Florida can be found in a single neighborhood in Manatee County. House hunters looking for refined and stately properties should strongly consider visiting Esplanade on the Bay, a special collection of upscale single-family homes located within the prestigious IMG Academy.

Esplanade on the Bay in Bradenton offers prospective home buyers a charming lifestyle. This neighborhood was born in the 1990s as an effort by developers to offer a refined golf and country club lifestyle to residents of Bradenton. To this effect, the exclusive El Conquistador gold and racquet club is located next door to Esplanade on the Bay. Most of the original lots have been developed; however, a single lot listed for $129K was still available in 2015.

There are more than 30 luxury estates at Esplanade; 12 of them are considered to be the most desirable in Manatee County as they feature sweeping views of the Sarasota Bay. The rest of the properties are tucked away in green areas that are meticulously landscaped. A typical home in this community features four bedrooms and three bathrooms; interior spaces generally measure anywhere between 3,700 and 6,000 square feet.

The architectural styles at Esplanade on the Bay are predominantly based on Caribbean and Mediterranean residential designs. These are very attractive homes with special features such as swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, balcony studios, playgrounds, gazebos, private docks, guest houses, four-car garages, and more. For these reasons, the properties here are typically listed at more than $1M.

Residents of Esplanade on the Bay enjoy a great location. This gated community is located only minutes away from Downtown Bradenton, the beaches and the barrier islands of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Most of the families who reside here have ties to the IMG Academy and El Conquistador Country Club. Many of these families come from abroad and stay in Florida while their children attend IMG Academy; as a result, property values and real estate sales tend to be steady in this neighborhood.