Like many area neighborhoods, downtown Sarasota is going through rapid changes. And here comes more: a new 10-story hotel is in the works on Fruitville Road, between North Lemon and Orange avenues. The project will require the demolition of a string of single-story shops at 1524, 1534 and 1542 Fruitville Road, replacing the 9,919 square feet of existing retail space with a 120- to 170-room hotel and possible ground-floor commercial space. Still in its early stages, the design is being led by Chris Gallagher of Hoyt Architects. 

According to a recent first submission to the City of Sarasota Development Review Committee, the project, which is slated to become a Tempo by Hilton hotel, still requires more approvals. However, initial plans show 72 parking spaces and an amenity floor with a fitness center, pool, lounging and gathering spaces, office space, dining and a bar. 

The parcels were previously owned by Donna and Lawrence Lerner, who once ran Miner's Patio and Casual Furniture, which was originally established by Donna Lerner's parents, the Goodmans. It closed in 2006 after 54 years in business.

Facilitated by Steve Horn and Lauren Dixon of Ian Black Real Estate, the addresses sold for a total of $5.25 million. They include Antiques & Chatchkes, Summer Home and Garden, Todburn Antiques and Downtown Hair Studio, some of which have been there for decades. 

Donald Jobe, owner of Todburn Antiques, which has been there since 2007, says, "We haven’t been given a timeline [for construction], but I have so much inventory. If an opportunity comes my way, I’d love to open in a new spot."

"It was kind of a bombshell," Ken Davidson, owner of Antiques & Chatchkes, says of the sale. "I’ve been a tenant here for 24 years, so it was surprising to hear. I’m happy for [the Lerners]. We’ve had a fantastic relationship over the years. Larry is 84 now, and it’s a big moment for him."

The properties fall within the "downtown core" zoning district, an area designed to encourage mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly development. However, two of the properties, 1524 and 1534 Fruitville Road, both built in the early 50s, are listed in the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) for their historic significance. A historic review is required before demolition permits can be issued. That will be overseen by Dr. Clifford Smith, a senior city planner. 

The buyer and developer is Dunedin-based AV Florida Sarasota Hotel LLC., led by Benedikt Fritzsche and his wife Eliza Garcia Bello. The deal closed Dec. 6.

"We’re very excited about what’s ahead," Fritzsche says. "I used to work in Sarasota so I’ve always had a connection to the area. It’s growing, and I did my research—the airport is expanding, and downtown has this great balance of a big-city feel with small-town charm. That’s what I love about it. You have beaches within 10 minutes, and there’s a lot of business activity around the location too."

"We looked at several properties, both downtown and outside of it, before deciding on this one," he says. "It took us about eight months to work through everything before purchasing the land."

Fritzsche is in conversations with NDC Construction Company and the Hilton brand to develop a Tempo by Hilton Hotel. "Nothing has been finalized yet, but we’re leaning toward that brand. It would be my first Tempo," he says. "The amenities may be open to the public, but those details are still in the works."

Although Fritzsche has hotel experience, it will be his first development in Sarasota. "In 2011, I opened a Best Western Plus and in 2019, we added a Hilton, both in Dunedin. This Sarasota project would be our third hotel, and I’m doing it as an individual, not as part of an investment group," he says. "We’ve also got a restaurant project in Dunedin in the pipeline, but Sarasota is our focus right now."

Donna Lerner has been a vocal public opponent of the sky-high Obsidian (renamed 1260 North Palm Residences) development planned to go up on North Palm Avenue, also in downtown Sarasota, which would be the tallest building in Sarasota County. She gathered more than 2,500 signatures for a petition against the luxury condo project, citing concerns about scale and community impact. But while the Lerners are selling their Fruitville properties to a developer, the Tempo hotel’s comparatively modest scale is less contentious.

Tempo by Hilton is a relatively new lifestyle hotel brand. Launched by Hilton in 2020, it's designed to cater to those who prioritize wellness and productivity during their stays. The hotels often have a modern aesthetic.

The brand includes a café-style restaurant with a focus on healthy dishes and hotels often include fitness centers, rooftop spaces and communal areas. According to its website, nightly rates typically range from $150 to $300, depending on the location, season and demand.

The submitted proposal includes an outdoor bar on the tenth floor, but that requires a major conditional use approval from city officials, which has not yet been sought by the developer. The city also stipulates that outdoor bar patrons must vacate by 11:00 p.m. on weeknights and by midnight on weekends and holidays, with no amplified outdoor music permitted.

To meet City of Sarasota requirements for public art contributions, the developers will also need to either include public art onsite or contribute to the city's public art fund. The site plan also calls for additional architectural enhancements to break up the blank walls on the building’s east and west sides. Suggestions include incorporating public art into the design.

In the meantime, the current shop owners are still open and welcoming customers. 

"Come visit us while we’re still here," Davidson says.