Sarasota developer proposes 18-story mixed-income tower

A proposed 18-story mixed-income tower near Burns Court is continuing through Sarasota’s development review process as developers seek approvals tied to Florida’s Live Local Act and local downtown density incentives.

Naples-based Barron Collier Companies is proposing the Adagio development at 398 Burns Court in partnership with The Lutgert Companies, according to city planning documents scheduled for Sarasota’s May 20 Development Review Committee meeting. Plans call for 113 market-rate condominium units in an 18-story tower, 76 attainable housing units in a separate 9-story building and roughly 31,315 square feet of commercial space.

Advertisement

The proposal uses Florida’s Live Local Act alongside Sarasota’s Downtown Attainable Housing Density Bonus program, which provides incentives for developments that include attainable housing units.

Rendering of the proposed Adagio mixed-income tower development near Burns Court in downtown Sarasota
Rendering shows the proposed Adagio mixed-income development planned near Burns Court in Sarasota.

City planners questioned whether the attainable housing component complies with local rules requiring affordable and market-rate units to appear “indistinguishable” externally, citing differences in balcony railings, glazing and façade materials between the towers.

Read the latest Tampa business news and updates

The developer is also seeking relief from several pedestrian-oriented design requirements along Pineapple Avenue, including reduced awning dimensions, shorter façade lengths and less habitable frontage than typically required under downtown standards.

Under Sarasota’s density bonus rules, the attainable units would remain income-restricted for at least 30 years through an affordable housing agreement recorded before final site plan approval.

City arborists requested additional justification for removing grand trees on the property and questioned the developer’s justification related to nearby church parking demand.

The project is now in its fourth review cycle after Sarasota’s Board of Adjustment dismissed an appeal tied to a demolition permit for the site in April.

Read More Tampa Bay Business News

Explore the latest Tampa Bay business news, real estate deals, development projects, executive moves and company updates shaping the region.