Suncoast Searchlight

Judge Deals Death Blow to Sarasota County’s Fight Against Live Local Act

A circuit judge ruled that Sarasota County must allow a proposed development of more than 600 apartments near the Celery Fields to move forward under Florida's Live Local Act.

11/06/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Two of Harts

Sarasota Unveils Plans to Rebuild Hart's Landing After Hurricane Destruction

New designs would move the bait shop to higher ground, restore the docks and add a waterfront pavilion. But visitors could still be waiting years for the landmark's return.

11/05/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Palm Reading

Sarasota Rejects Obsidian Tower for Third Time, Despite Warning of Legal Battle

In a 3–2 vote, commissioners rejected a special magistrate's recommendation to approve the controversial 327-foot condo tower on North Palm Avenue. The decision could send the yearslong dispute to court.

11/03/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Housing Outlook

Hundreds of Units Are Headed for Downtown Sarasota. But What Does the Rental Market Say?

Developers are proposing new apartments at the same time as the Sarasota metro area ranks among the nation's highest for vacancies and rent concessions.

10/23/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Development

Sarasota County Rejects D.R. Horton Settlement, Pursues Land Purchase Next to Celery Fields

After rejecting a settlement allowing 126 homes, commissioners directed staff to negotiate a possible purchase of roughly 51 acres beside the Celery Fields.

10/08/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Village Reprieve

Apartment Deal Falls Through for Sarasota’s Historic Downtown Village

A proposed 324-unit apartment complex would have replaced the colorful cottages on Fruitville Road. Now, tenants have more time to plan—and the owners say the property isn’t for sale.

10/05/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Data Debate

North Port Adopts 18-Month Data Center Moratorium

The measure pauses new data center proposals and prevents final approval of the pending Deep Park project, but allows that application to continue through city review.

09/23/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Wow, Waldorf

Sneak Peek: The Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota

New renderings reveal the homes, gardens, gathering spaces and—wait for it—an orangerie at the 18-story downtown tower.

08/19/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Benderson Bend

Sarasota Commissioners Clear the Way for Benderson’s Transformation of Former County Building

A pair of unanimous votes allows Benderson to pursue Class A offices, ground-floor retail and a dramatic redesign of the vacant building at 1660 Ringling Blvd.

08/18/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Greek Arrival

Washington, D.C., Hot Spot Balos Is Coming to Downtown Sarasota

The seafood-focused restaurant will make its Florida debut as The Edge’s only retail tenant in spring 2027.

08/12/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Grow House

Selby Gardens Secures $41.9 Million in Financing as Phase Two of Its Master Plan Takes Shape

Selby leadership says it has raised $59.7 million toward the $60.9 million project, which will add a new conservatory and learning pavilion by late 2028.

08/11/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Going Up

Sarasota-Manatee Ranks Among the Nation’s Busiest Homebuilding Metros as Millennial Ownership Spikes

The metro ranks No. 5 nationally for single-family permits per capita and No. 8 for multifamily permits as millennial homeownership surges.

08/03/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Master Class

Lakewood Ranch Holds No. 2 Spot for New Home Sales as Wellen Park Jumps to No. 3 Nationally

Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park landed among the nation’s top three master-planned communities, while Bradenton’s new SeaFlower earned an honorable mention.

07/31/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Moving Breakfast

The Breakfast House Plans a New Home—and Possibly a New Bungalow Village

The longtime Sarasota restaurant plans to turn a Fruitville Road home into its new location, with hopes of eventually bringing several neighboring bungalows along.

07/29/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Shifting Gears

A Private Club Built Around Cars Is Headed to Downtown Sarasota

The Sarasota Motor Club would convert a former drone manufacturing headquarters into a private social club with collector-car storage, dining and event space—plus, the property could potentially become the new home of a beloved downtown restaurant.

07/16/2026 By Kim Doleatto

First Person

Manatee County Commission Candidate Adam Johnson on the Issues

How serious is Johnson, really? And can he transition from his mischievous trolling on X (formerly known as Twitter) for the unsexy slog of zoning ordinances?

07/01/2026 By Isaac Eger

Match Point

Bath + Racquet Nears the Finish Line in Sarasota

The long-awaited reinvention of Sarasota’s former Bath + Racquet Club is moving into its final stretch.

06/22/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Peek Inside

Here's What’s Coming to the Former Hyatt Regency Site

It's another Hyatt, actually. The new Hyatt Centric Harborside will bring 174 hotel rooms, event space, dining and 117 condominium residences to Kolter Urban’s new 20-story waterfront tower.

06/16/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Sued Over Live Local Projects

Sarasota County's attempt to stop thousands of apartments from being built in rural communities is now facing the legal challenge the county attorney warned was likely all along.

06/15/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

More Rosemary

Bayside North Moves Ahead in the Rosemary District

The second phase of the Bayside project will add 96 rental residences, 15 workforce housing units, eight furnished guest suites and a ground-floor restaurant near the bayfront.

06/02/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Sarasota Magazine