- February 12, 2026
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New York City.
Costa Rica.
Pompano Beach.
Denver.
Dubai.
Sarasota?
What do they all have in common? All of them either are or soon will be home to the first six Waldorf Astoria-branded luxury condominiums. And they will eventually joined by locations in Fredericksburg, Texas; Turks & Caicos; and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Sarasota-based Jebcore Cos., in collaboration with WMG Development of Winter Garden and Hilton, recently introduced the 18-story ultra-luxury replacement of the Zenith building at the Five Points roundabout at Main Street and Pineapple Avenue.
Although the project is still navigating the city’s development review and administrative approval process, Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota has opened its sales gallery at 1605 Main St. and is writing contracts for purchase of the 86 units, which start at $2.2 million. Michael Saunders & Co. is handling the sales of the condos.
Units will range from one to five bedrooms and 1.5 to 4.5 bathrooms with sizes from 1,800 square feet to 5,200-square-foot-plus penthouses.
The project was formally introduced during a Jan. 27 reception at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for real estate agents and other interested parties, which featured a panel discussion with the project developer, architecture and design partners.
Also on the stage was Amanda Nichols of Hilton, the luxury brand manager of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels.
“Why Sarasota and why this team? Waldorf Astoria demands a team that can deliver world-class design and really execute to uphold that legacy,” Nichols said. “This is a team that we couldn't be more proud to have them represent our brand for decades. We're so incredibly excited about this and incredibly excited to bring the brand to Sarasota.”
As for Sarasota, she likened the city as a culturally rich location matching the likes of Waldorf Astoria’s targeted markets. “I think it's a wonderful addition to the brand.”
Development partner WMG acquired the property in 2023 for $24 million. In addition to the residential component, at the street level will be 42,000 square feet of Class A commercial space.
Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota is designed by ODP Architecture & Design of Hollywood, Florida, and interiors by Workshop/APD of New York City. The landscape architect is DWY Landscape Architects of Sarasota.
"I think every developer in the world would dream about doing the project like where the Zenith is currently located,” said Sadeth Omar of Jebcore Cos. and its partnership with WMD, which had been searching for a site in Sarasota.
“From the moment we purchased this property, our intent was to build upon the property’s legacy and ensure we could be part of its story,” WMG President and CEO Curt Frost said in a news release. “Waldorf Astoria represents the pinnacle of elegance and service, and bringing this to downtown Sarasota allows us to advance the city’s rich narrative with something enduring, meaningful, and true to place.
“This project will not only be architecturally iconic, but it will also be a proud chapter in Sarasota’s future for generations to come.”
Built in 1972, the 12-story former Zenith Insurance tower ushered in the era of the modern high-rise development in downtown Sarasota. At the time it replaced a two-story neoclassical brick building that was home to Badger’s Drug Store. Located at the Five Points roundabout, its monolithic design is generally regarded as unbecoming of the modern redevelopment that surrounds it.
