The coconut telegraph had been buzzing for months with the pending sale of the Layby Resort, 105 White Ave., Holmes Beach, to a music and TV power couple, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
Cindy Quinn of REMAX posted on Facebook Oct. 18 that the 2-acre hotel was purchased by the couple and the sale closed Oct. 18.
Judie Berger, listing agent for the property with Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota, declined comment by phone Oct. 21 of the Brook-Yearwood purchase.
According to the MLS, the Gulfront resort contains 14 beds and baths. It was initially listed for sale by the Norfolk Southern for $9.5 million and sold for $8.825 million.
Calls and emails to the agent for the seller remained unanswered as of Islander press time.
Brooks, six-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, currently is on the Garth Brooks Stadium Tour, according to his website, garthbrooks.com.
In November, the A&E Network plans to observe “Garth Week” with a two-part “Biography: Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On” chronicling his life and career — from his early days playing gigs at college bars in Oklahoma to his record-breaking world tours and balancing family life with global fame, according to a news release from the network.
Yearwood is on the Every Girl Tour and continues to star on the Food Network’s “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen.”
The award-winning performer’s latest release is the 2019 solo album, “Every Girl,” featuring 14 songs “with the same freedom and fire” that first ignited at the dawn of her storied career,” according to trishayearwood.com.
Garth will cause changes to The Neighborhood similar to what Jimmy Buffet did in Key West. BIG changes, not all welcome ones. Also, I’m willing to bet he levels the LayBy and constructs a fantastic dwelling fit for a multi-millionaire. It’s the LAND on AMI that costs!
Welcome to the neighborhood, Garth and Tricia.
Love AMI! Sign me up please.
very interesting
I was a 40 year NS employee and never was invited to stay there. Only for high level supervisors!! So it should be sold so maybe they will keep a few more real employees working……SAD the direction the railroad is headed,
Many memories at this property. My Dad retired from Norfolk Southern and I also worked for Norfolk Southern approximately 13 or 14 years many years ago. We took our children there for years as well. Hopefully they will do something fantastic with the property. Sad the Railroad did not keep it for their employees. Times change-just life. Love the Island as well. My husband and I enjoyed time there when our son was a little boy, Now he has three children of his own. Thanks for the article. Interesting.
Interesting article. I’m retired from NS (former Southern Railway) and enjoyed resort the last four decades. Matter-of-fact sale of resort resulted in cancellation of November stay. Would like to see more articles about this property as plans develop for razing and rebuilding estate. Listed name and email address so Islander can keep us informed. The good news Island has plenty of rentals so we can continue our annual trip to Anna Marie.
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