$2,150,000
About this home
Step into history and timeless elegance at the House of Ringling, a landmark estate in Sarasota's coveted Whitfield Estates, built in 1918 for Alfred Ringling of the legendary Ringling Brothers. Spanning 4,782+/- sq. ft., this 5BR, 4.5BA masterpiece seamlessly marries Gilded Age opulence with modern luxury. A red brick walkway and expansive front lawn welcome you to this architectural treasure, where an oversized Grand Ballroom with a 21-foot ceiling, Venetian columns and a Renaissance-style coffered ceiling create an awe-inspiring focal point. Original pine floors, 12-inch baseboards and hand-poured antique glass in French windows and doors preserve the estate’s rich craftsmanship, as the reimagined chef’s kitchen is a showpiece, featuring Big Chill appliances, an 8-burner gas stove, Quartzite surfaces, a mother-of-pearl backsplash and backlit cabinets. The primary suite on the lower level offers floor-to-ceiling French doors opening to a private porch and the expansive pool deck. Upstairs, 2 ensuite bedrooms feature partial bay views. Hidden details, including a prohibition-era speakeasy/3rd bedroom at the top of the stairs and a secret room, add intrigue and charm. The home’s walls, crafted from Ringling railway car paneling, echo its storied past. Recent updates, including new plumbing, electrical, HVAC (5 units), and a new roof with extra tie-down straps, ensure modern comfort while preserving historic character. A detached 2-car garage and 2 driveways provide ample space, while the expansive Palm Beach-style courtyard invites relaxation. As one of the first Ringling Brothers homes in Sarasota, this estate offers a rare opportunity to own a living piece of history in a prime location near Sarasota Bay and downtown.
Highlights
Property details
- MLS #
- MFRA4697116
- Property type
- Single Family Residence
- Subdivision
- WHITFIELD ESTATES UNIT 1
- Status
- Active
- Days on market
- 82
- On market date
- June 16, 2026
- Stories
- N/A
- Total bathrooms
- 4.5
- Garage spaces
- 2
- Parking spaces
- N/A
- Lot size
- 0.45 acres
Location
Get directions →Nearby schools
Within 10 miles. School directory data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), accessed via the Urban Institute Education Data API. Local Score is calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate; where a state rating is shown, it comes from that state's own official school report card.
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student:teacher ratio
- 13.7:1
- District
- MANATEE
- Enrollment
- 780
- Student:teacher ratio
- 16.6:1
- District
- MANATEE
- Enrollment
- 33
- Student:teacher ratio
- 5.5:1
- District
- MANATEE
Walkability
Blended score for SARASOTA's center, calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate from two sources: the EPA's National Walkability Index (street network, transit, land-use mix) and Google Places amenity data (what's actually reachable on foot from this point). 60% EPA National Walkability Index + 40% nearby-amenity density (Google Places).
Market position
How this listing compares to current activity in SARASOTA, from live MLS data.
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Data source: Listing information provided by Stellar MLS (mfrmls) via Trestle/CoreLogic. Last updated September 6, 2026.
Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed; all measurements, school assignments, HOA fees, taxes, and feature lists are approximate and should be independently verified. Equal Housing Opportunity.