Second development emerges for Sarasota's Cocoanut Avenue site

Making a second effort to build a mixed-use project at the southwest corner of Cocoanut Avenue and Fourth Street, developer and new owner Colonial Brick Company of Chicago has proposed an 11-story, 18-unit condominium tower under the working name 333 Cocoanut.

The project made its first appearance before the Sarasota Development Review Committee on Nov. 5.

Represented by Haflants + Pichette Architecture and project consultant Kimley-Horn, 333 Cocoanut will include 1,500 square feet of first-floor retail space and five dedicated public parking spaces. The site is one-half block north of Fruitville Road and will share vehicle access via an existing alley between the vacant property and The Encore townhomes, which front Fruitville Road.

It’s that access that in part soured prior plans by the now-dissolved 4th Street LLC, which was unable to secure a variance to build a driveway from Fourth Street from which, as a primary street in the city code, dont have permission for driveways. An adjustment for the driveway was denied by the Planning Board in April 2024.

In November 2024, however, Fourth and Trail Developments did receive approval for a rezoning, which included the Fourth Street driveway to access a planned multi-use development between Fourth Street and Fruitville Road, also adjacent to The Encore. 

The 333 Cocoanut project conforms to the current zoning and future land use of Downtown Core, with no request for rezoning or Comprehensive Plan amendment. 

The developer is requesting two administrative adjustments: an 18% reduction in the parallel façade requirement, and a 25% encroachment into the required recess area, both to meet site challenges.

While Downtown Core limits building heights to 10 stories, 333 Cocoanut qualifies for an 11th floor by providing public parking access to five of its 45 spaces.

The block bounded by Fruitville Road, North Tamiami Trail, Fourth Street and Cocoanut Avenue is redeveloping as a residential-oriented mixed-use enclave. In addition to The Encore and the not-yet named Fourth and Trail Developments project, 333 Cocoanut joins Saravela, a dual-tower, 282-unit multifamily development at Fourth Street and North Tamiami Trail.

Currently under construction on the opposite corner across Fruitville Road from The Encore is The Edge, a 10-story, 27-unit condominium tower.

Also making its first appearance before the DRC was Old Bradenton, an 18-unit townhome development by DR Horton at the southwest corner of Old Bradenton Road and University Parkway. The 2.33-acre site is across Old Bradenton Road from the former Sarasota Kennel Club site.

Both 333 Cocoanut and Old Bradenton are required to resubmit to the DRC for further review.