The operation and control of the once famous Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unraveled over years — first out of court, and then in perpetual litigation. The Colony, once firmly controlled by Chairman Murf Klauber, has gone through countless legal undulations, various redevelopment proposals and yet over the past four years, one outcome has emerged […]

Adams told Whittall that the Colony units need to go to auction. Whittall
countered that the property cannot be redeveloped if ownership is divided.
Longboat Mayor George Spoll then said it could be subdivided.
“No; I have a letter from the Town Attorney saying it cannot,” said Whittall.

“I believe Adams is a ‘die on the sword’ kind of guy. The problem is the handwriting is clearly painted on the wall and this will come to a finish very soon.”

Sarasota Judge Hunter Carroll has decided the Colony Condominium will be terminated.

The Colony is long gone, Murf Klauber has dies and the St. Regis Hotel plan was approved by the Town. When will the future come and what does it hold for this property?

As the rye grass pokes its head out of the empty 18-acre site on Longboat’s Gulf of Mexico Drive, the only movement toward redevelopment is the ebb and flow of pleadings and arguments in the courtroom. And the same words spoken as a humorous refrain by Longboaters a few years ago are now shadowed by resignation — “Do you think I will live long enough to see the Colony property ever get redeveloped?”

What is the value of 17.2 acres situated on Longboat Key and boasting one of the best Gulf-front beaches in Florida?

Nothing has died more slowly and with more waves of litigation than the once world-famous Colony Resort.

The majority of the condos will cost between $4 million and $7 million and penthouses about $10 million.

“The code was written in the 1970s before the collapse of Lehman Brothers and changes in lending rules. It will accelerate the reconstruction of the Colony site by 12 months.”