Riverfront estate sale sets Manatee record at $8.55 million

When one of the largest waterfront properties in Manatee County sold for $8.55 million, it claimed an additional title: highest sale of a single family residence on the county’s mainland. 

The 5.16-acre waterfront property at 7000 Riverview Blvd. on the Manatee River features a 5,975-square-foot home that was built in 1991. The main home includes five bedrooms, a guest home and a pool. The architecture features rare granites, wood mosaic flooring, hand-rubbed cypress wood walls, highly lacquered cabinetry, beamed 20-foot ceilings and walls of glass. 

The buyers were represented by Michael and Laurel James of Michael Saunders & Co. A press release from MSC & Co. states that the sale price was the highest of a single family residence on the county’s mainland. 

“It is rare to find five acres of waterfront in our area,” Michael James says in a press release. “The property is tranquil and private with beautiful views across a wide stretch of the Manatee River. Inside, the level of construction quality and refined craftsmanship is awe-inspiring, with massive windows infusing living spaces with natural light, reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright design.”

The previous owner, Sandra Robinson and with her husband, H.L. “Penny” Robinson, purchased the property the same year the home was built. Penny Robinson was the founder of Robby’s Sporting Goods in Bradenton that grew into a 45-store chain. In 1988, the business was sold and renamed Champs Sports. The new owners are native to the Sarasota area. 

“It has been a pleasure searching for a home with our buyers,” Laurel James says. “They held a strong vision of quality architecture and a love of nature that was found at this home.”  

Michael Saunders & Co. is a real estate company based in Sarasota with 24 full-service offices. The company employs more than 600 agents and 150 support team members.