17745 GULF BOULEVARD 502 Most people shopping Barrier Island condos never realize units like this exist. That’s because 3/4 of the condos here are 1, 995 sq ft. Perfectly nice. Perfectly livable. And for some people…a little tight. Unit 502 is different. It’s one of 24 residences in the community w/3, 000+ s/f — & the people who end up in these tend to arrive here on purpose. Yes, it also includes a 30' boat slip. If you know RSYTC, you know the long, striking foyer every unit has. In this condo, that entry does something more. Frosted glass doors pull light down the hall toward a bonus room that changes how the condo functions. Many owners use it as an office. Some as a 4th bedroom. Others claim it as a den, media room, or creative space. There’s even a 1/2 bath tucked behind a pocket door — which gives you still more options. Nursery? Sure. Guest overflow? Easy. The dog’s room? Let’s be honest — every room is the dog’s room! Beyond this, the layout is open, but not in the boxy, everything-in-one-rectangle way you see in smaller condos. Here, 3 connected living areas give you choices. In #502, one zone is staged as an intimate dining space, one as a full-size living room and a third as a cozy spot for fuzzy socks & sipping tea in the A.M. & wine in the P.M. Your eyes move easily between the Gulf, Bay, & ICW — catching boats in motion & glowing lights after dark. It’s not loud. It’s not showy. It’s just…right. The kitchen doesn’t exile you while everyone else talks. You can cook, make coffee, pour something cold, & still see be part of what’s happening. The flow works because someone thought about how people live, not just drawing a clever floor plan. Bedrooms are thoughtfully separated. Plantation shutters in the guest bedrooms set a relaxed, coastal, intentional tone. (Tell me you’re in Florida without telling me you’re in Florida LOL). The primary suite is generously sized & calm, giving you room to exhale at the end of the day. Life here is active, but unrushed. Tennis, shows, dinners with friends, Bunco at the clubhouse, pool afternoons, gym time, yoga class. The kidney-shaped pool, sheltered by flourishing palms, is a resident favorite — human-scaled & welcoming, not a rectangle dropped into concrete. When you’re heading to the beach, a flashing crosswalk by the tennis courts makes crossing Gulf Blvd safe & civilized, with paved beach access directly across the street. Many owners here are on their 2nd or 3rd chapter. Some still work. Some have homes up north — or a place in the mountains — & come & go. What they share is: they value space, calm, & communities that are well run without being fussy. That includes having an on-site Property Manager, with an office at the clubhouse, available day-to-day — not someone managing things from afar. The practical stuff matters, too. RSYTC has a track record of being proactive rather than reactive. Past & current assessments for major projects — including pool, clubhouse, & grounds — are paid. This is not an Airbnb scene. Rentals are limited (30-day min), the vibe is orderly & respectful, & pets are welcome (two under 25 lbs), with grassy areas that make daily walks feel more like neighborly check-ins than chores. Unit 502 isn’t for everyone. And that’s exactly the point. If you’ve ever walked out of a waterfront condo & thought, “We could make this work… but I wish we had just a little more room, ” this one is the upgrade you didn’t realize you were waiting for.