Punta Gorda Isles Real Estate – A Waterfront Paradise
In 1958, P.G.I., Inc., recognized as one of Florida’s premier developers, began planning the communities of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles by carving channels through the mangrove “forest” of Punta Gorda. They engineered our 52-plus miles of concrete seawall saltwater canals, creating what MONEY MAGAZINE calls the “idyllic” neighborhoods of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles. Shortly after the final phase of construction was completed in 1982, the State of Florida recognized the value of securing the coastlines, and legislated powerful regulations against future development of mangrove coastline areas. Development of communities like the Isles can never occur again.
The Isles offer both single-family and multi-family homes in the form of condos, villas, and duplexes. Most of the properties are situated on saltwater canals that lead directly to Charlotte Harbor and then on to the Gulf of Mexico, less than an hour away by powerboat. The remaining home sites are spread out over two beautiful golf courses and a small attractive greenbelt area. Centrally located commercial sectors provide the services residents need most such as banking, legal, dry cleaning, shopping, etc.
Our canal system is legendary. It is over 52 miles long, each canal is a minimum of 100 feet wide with depths averaging at least 12 feet. The concrete seawalls are maintained by the city to ensure continued structural integrity. Daily tidal flows flush clean, salt water throughout the waterways bringing in hundreds of species of fish, most of which are “go-o-od eating”.
Beyond the perimeters of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles lies Charlotte Harbor, formed by the confluence of the Peace and Myakka Rivers. It is one of America’s 10 cleanest bodies of water and covers an area of approximately 129 square miles. Charlotte Harbor is a great cruising ground for both sail and powerboat enthusiasts. For the fisherman there is no finer place to catch tarpon, grouper, snapper or snook on the entire west coast of Florida.
In lieu of the high-density towering developments that have blighted other Florida waterfront communities, our officials chose to keep this shoreline as pristine as possible. No high-rises here. By Florida standards this is a rural community. Thousands of acres have been acquired and dedicated as a nature preserve so that future generations may continue to enjoy this area’s natural beauty.
Punta Gorda Isles real estate encompasses a peninsula surrounded by beautiful Charlotte Harbor, while Burnt Store Isles, a little further south, lies nestled quietly off Alligator Creek, a natural passage bordering the mangrove preserve. Both communities are bound by enforced deed restrictions, intended to maintain the lush, tropical appearance and increasing real estate values, some of which include tile roofs, sodded lawns, under-ground sprinklers, and minimum/maximum square footage requirements for Punta Gorda Isles homes.
At the harbor’s edge, and the entrance to Punta Gorda Isles, is the ever-popular Fishermen’s Village and Yacht Basin. The Village features a broad spectrum of boutiques, restaurants and yachting adventures to suit everyone’s pleasures. Comfortable rental units and a 98-slip marina are available.