Welcome to the home of Aaron & Lori Sudbury. They invite you to enjoy its peaceful elegance as you walk thru their homestead that they have treasured for the past 11 years. Nestled on 3 ½ secluded and tree-filled acres, it fronts the Manatee River accessible by a winding path to their dock.
They say every house has a story and this one certainly has an interesting one to tell! The home has humble beginnings…as a 900 square foot Lindal Cedar Home, it began its journey to the property from Ruskin down Route 301 at 3 in the morning. Since the 1970’s the house has undergone 12 additions and remodels to create the 6700 square foot home it is today, yet the original cedar home remains an integral piece. The original owner, Mike Carter, raised it to become part of the second floor in the front of the home. Throughout the house you’ll find many custom details, handcrafted by artisans near and far. As you enter through the majestic front doors, built of beautiful mahogany, you will step into the grand foyer with its teak and holly floors. From there, imported slate floors from India will guide you deeper into the home. On one side of the house is one of Lori’s favorite things about her home…the gourmet kitchen, in which she loves spending time baking…can’t you just imagine the smell of Christmas cookies filling the air? Other details to notice as you wind through the home are the wrought iron railings made specifically for the home by Kriessle Forge in Sarasota and the handcrafted cypress interior doors. Towards the rear of the house is Aaron’s favorite spot, the Family room, which holds a very interesting feature. The beautiful fireplace surround and counter top is made from fossilized stone quarried in Wyoming. The stone is estimated to be over 12 million years old and, if you look closely, there is fossilized tropical sea life embedded within the stone. During Covid Aaron spent many days in this room staying in communication with his patients via Telemed at the counter, making it his temporary office.
The home, with the additional acreage with a barn, horses, and chickens across the street, have provided much happiness to others over the years…you could call it a “Giving House”. For the past 9 years the Sudburys have generously hosted the annual Christmas party for the Manatee County Medical Society as a fundraiser for the local food bank. The previous owners hosted many fundraisers on the property as well. They remember one particular fundraiser fondly, with over 350 people in attendance, guests were entertained by the Sarasota Circus aerialists performing in the Lanai. Love also blooms here…the property has been the site for 2 weddings. And the home’s legacy of giving continues as one of our prize homes on this years Entre Nous Holiday Tour of Homes and the site of our fabulous Elf Alley! Enjoy!