- July 15, 2025
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Taking advantage of the State of Florida’s Live Local legislation, the plan for Adagio made its first official appearance before the city of Sarasota’s Development Review Committee on July 2.
Developers planned the twin-tower project, built above a shared podium and parking structure, for the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Palm Avenue. The parcel zone is Downtown Core, but the Live Local Act permits a height of 18 stories to match any building within a 1-mile radius, providing the project includes an attainable housing component.
Downtown Core otherwise limits buildings to 10 stories.
Developed by the Lutgert Cos. of Naples, there have been some changes to the plan since its March 5 pre-application appearance before the DRC. The number of luxury condominiums in the 18-story tower has grown from 100 to 103 and attainable apartments in the accompanying nine-story tower fronting Pineapple Avenue from 67 units to 69.
The preliminary plan also included 18,564 square feet of commercial space, now nearly doubled to 31,933 square feet. That space includes offices for Church of the Redeemer, which currently has office space and parking on that site.
The plan also includes parking spaces dedicated to the church.
Florida’s Live Local Act requires 40% of the total dwellings of a residential development to be designated as attainable for a period of no fewer than 30 years. Implementation of the Live Local Act for developments also provides for administrative-only approval, providing a project meets all code requirements.
The act preempts local zoning regulations, allowing the affordable housing projects in areas zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed-use without requiring special exceptions, conditional use approvals, variances or comprehensive plan amendments. It also provides tax exemptions for qualifying affordable housing projects, further incentivizing the development of the affordable units.
Although the city has little authority over a Live Local Act project, Manager of Development Services Allison Christie requested, in an advisory comment, the developer consider more adherence to the city’s affordable housing ordinance guidelines, specifically less separation of the attainable apartments from the luxury apartments. The city code requires they integrate throughout a project to receive its bonus density and other available incentives.
“Staff requests the applicant consider a greater integration of the attainable units in this project, in addition to sharing of the amenities and a common entryway for both the attainable and market rate units,” Christie said.
Such a concession doesn’t appear likely as the luxury condos will orient toward the west and Sarasota Bay and the attainable apartments toward the east and the downtown area.
The project will require a resubmittal to the DRC
As its working name would suggest, located at Seventh Street and Central Avenue in the Rosemary District is a planned seven-story residential development also making its first appearance before the DRC on July 2.
Designed by the Sarasota architecture firm Halflants + Pichette the project, at 650 Central Ave., is a modern, seven-story luxury residential building with 24 units including four two-story townhomes with private yards and pools. The building will feature private elevators to access the 20 condominiums and a façade with cantilevered balconies.
According to documents filed with the city, a south-facing rooftop terrace complete with a pool provides views of downtown. The building will feature incorporated greenery throughout, from the balconies to rooftop gardens, supporting a sustainable and nature-driven design. Concealed parking access off Seventh Street will be behind the lobby amenity space and ground floor gym.
“A key aspect of the development is the public park, which spans the entire property, connecting Cohen Way to Central Avenue, fostering pedestrian access and community integration,” the document reads. “The project also increases the required parking, accommodating both residents and visitors.”
The zone is Downtown Edge and no rezoning will be required. As a downtown zone development, the project requires only administrative approval. There is no proposal for attainable housing units. A resubmittal to address outstanding staff comments is required.
Also announced at the July 2 DRC meeting was the full staff sign-off of the first phase of redevelopment of the Hyatt Regency property known as 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. Manager of Development Services Allison Christie reported a change since the sign-off. There is an addition of a basement to the parking structure to add 45 spaces. That change still requires additional sign-off from appropriate staff members.
