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NEWS

The phrase hidden gem is often used by real estate agents to describe any appealing neighborhood that is not positioned on a major road.

But in the case of Pelican Cove, it is not just hyperbole. The community is hidden, and it is a gem.

Located near Sarasota Square Mall, between Vamo Road and Little Sarasota Bay, Pelican Cove is one of the area's most attractive and unusual developments.

Pelican Cove has been a "Community of Excellence," as recognized by the Florida Community and Association Journal, for the past three years, said Connie Lang, the community's general manager.

The gated, bayfront community sits on 75 lush, forested acres and has 731 condominiums nestled among the woods, well-kept lawns and gardens.

A former owner of the land, May Wilbanks, loved Florida's abundant vegetation. Many of the trees and shrubs throughout the development have identifying labels, giving it the feeling of a botanical garden.

Pelican Cove consists of six informal neighborhoods whose names reflect their location on the property: the Bayhouses; the Harborhouses, along an 87-slip boat harbor; the Grovehouses; the Glenhouses; and the Brookhouses, on Clower Creek.

Except for the Treehouses, which feature town homes with living areas of more than 2,000 square feet, the condos occupy two-story buildings. Altogether, the homes have 23 floor plans.

Although the population consists mostly of retirees, many of them former university professors, CEOs and professionals, Pelican Cove is not a 55-and-older community. According to Missy Cleary, an agent for RE/MAX Alliance Group and the Cleary Group, "There are lots of kids in the swimming pools during season -- children of visitors and grandchildren of the residents. It's a very friendly community."

Because her father-in-law was a resident and started to sell properties there 15 years ago, Cleary knows the area well. "We find that people are attracted to Pelican Cove for its amenities and lifestyle, and its rich cultural and academic appreciation," she said.

There are three clubhouses, which provide a variety of activities. One is Wilbanks' original, Old Florida home on the bay that has been fully restored. The two upstairs suites can be rented by residents to house visiting family and friends.

Another, Harbor House, has a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center and tennis courts, as well as a sculpting studio. The newest clubhouse, the Pavilion, features an auditorium with a stage and a state-of-the-art sound system for concerts, exhibitions and meetings.

There are ballroom/Latin and tap dance classes, cooking classes, a singles club, a computer club, bridge and poker nights, art shows and the popular Pelican Cove University, an adult-education program featuring resident "professors" who teach 20 courses during the season. Residents can join for $3 a year.

For those who like to stay active, the community has miles of walking trails featuring scenic vistas along the mangrove-lined bay shore, plus Tai-Chi and ping-pong programs and water-exercise classes. The six swimming pools, one for each neighborhood, are open to all residents. Kayak and canoe storage is available by the bay.

Pelican Cove also is popular with boaters. The slips in the harbor accommodate vessels up to 40 feet. Fees are about $550 a year for a 20-footer.

"You're right on the Intracoastal Waterway, and can shoot down to Venice or up to Sarasota," Cleary said.

The community is pet-friendly and has a dog run. "You're allowed to have two large pets, which is a big deal in the condo world," she said.

A strong homeowners' association provides on-site management, fulltime maintenance and pest control. It also has an in-house closed-circuit television channel and puts out "The Pelican Cove News" to give residents information about activities throughout the year.

Sales in Pelican Cove have been steady. There were only two short sales and one foreclosure as a result of the housing boom and bust. Last year, from January to August, 29 units were sold; this year saw 31 sales, ranging in price from around $100,000 to $295,000.

"The $140,000-to-$220,000 units were very popular, and some of the water views because they got down under $300,000," Cleary said. "You can't find that anywhere else in the county."

Currently, 26 listings are active; the Cleary Group has nine. They start at $104,000 and go up to $449,000.

"The waterfront condos are the high-ticket items," Cleary said.

Many of the condos are bought by snowbirds who are planning for their retirement.

Eventually, as they get older and sell their house up north, Pelican Cove becomes their home, Cleary said.