Central Bradenton
Riverview Boulevard
Manatee County, Florida
Photo Ebyabe, via Wikimedia Commons · Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0
Riverview Boulevard runs west from downtown Bradenton along the south bank of the Manatee River, and it holds the oldest concentration of substantial homes in the city. Many date to the 1910s and 1920s land boom, and several are on the National Register.
It is a linear neighborhood rather than a subdivision, defined by the river on one side and the boulevard itself, which is lined with mature oaks.
- To the Beach
- About 15 to 20 minutes
- What Was Built Here
- Historic estates, 1920s revival, mid century, riverfront
The Details
What defines Riverview Boulevard.
- Some of the oldest surviving substantial homes in Manatee County
- Direct Manatee River frontage on the north side of the boulevard
- Mature oak canopy along the length of the street
- Several properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- A short drive to both downtown and the Manatee Avenue beach route
Questions
What people ask me about Riverview Boulevard.
What is involved in owning a historic home here?
More maintenance and more specialized trades than a newer house, and potentially review requirements for exterior work if the property carries a historic designation. Insurance can also be more involved, since replacement cost on original construction is not straightforward. None of that is a reason to avoid these homes, but it should be understood before you buy one.
Is the riverfront side worth the premium?
Riverfront parcels here carry a clear premium, and the questions that go with it are seawall condition, dock permitting, and flood zone. Those three items are where the real money is on a riverfront purchase, and they are worth investigating before an offer rather than during inspection.
How does this compare to the Village of the Arts?
Both are historic, but the housing is different in scale. Riverview Boulevard has larger homes on larger parcels, many with river frontage. The Village of the Arts is small cottages on small lots with live and work zoning. They are close together geographically and quite far apart in price.
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