Sarasota City Commission gives green light for Mira Mar rehabilitation project

City Commission approves final zoning for new Seaward Development project

SARASOTA, Fla. — During its regularly scheduled City Commission Meeting on Monday, July 7, the Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a rezone request for the Mira Mar building on South Palm Avenue, changing the 1.2-acre site from downtown core to downtown bayfront zoning.

The zoning approval comes after the first city commission unanimous approval for the comprehensive plan amendment on May 19, 2025. Today’s vote gave final approval for the Seaward Development plan to renovate and restore the historic portion of the building that occupies nearly 400 feet on Palm Avenue and add new retail, restaurant and office space, plus build two residential condominium towers behind it.

“We’ve hired the best and brightest minds in historic preservation to come up with a plan to save this building,” said Patrick DiPinto, principal at Seaward Development. “By approving zoning for the two condo towers behind the historical building, we will have an economic engine that helps pay for the $29 million for rehabilitation of the Mira Mar. We are working closely with the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) and city staff to make this a win-win for everyone. The overwhelming support for our proposal is humbling, and our entire team is passionate about making this not only a legacy project for Sarasota, but a case study for other municipalities around the country.”

With a passion for refurbishing the building and bringing it back to its original 1920s design, the new owners have hired a prominent team to lead this new effort.

The architecture team consists of Rick Gonzalez of REG Architects, one of Florida’s leading architects for historic preservation. Gonzalez is a former board member of the federal advisory council for historic preservation appointed by the president of the United States and is up for vice chair under the current administration, a former president and current trustee emeritus for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, a commissioner and architect for the Florida Historical Commission and National Registry, and currently serves on the University of Florida advisory board for historic preservation.

Igor Reyes of Nichols Architectsis also part of the project and specializes in mixed-use projects, including the restoration and expansion of historic structures. The firm played a pivotal role in the restoration of the St. Moritz Hotel and expansion to a Loews Convention Center Hotel in Miami Beach. They also undertook the revitalization of the Seville Hotel into the five-star EDITION Miami Beach Hotel. In Sarasota, Nichols Architects designed Epoch, a residential condominium building inspired by the Sarasota School of Architecture, further showcasing their commitment to innovative and adaptive design.

Other team members on the project include Philip DiMaria of Kimley-Horn Associates and Brenda Patten of Berlin Patten Ebling.

Two buildings, reaching a maximum of 18 stories, will rise behind the almost 400-foot-long plaza, much like the old hotel used to rise behind it, and revenue from the condo sales, many with expansive water views, will assist with funding the rehabilitation.

“Finally, we have a developer and architectural team willing to make something other than a cube with walls that go all the way to the sidewalk,” said Bob Keagy, a neighbor on Palm Avenue. “There’s actually greenspace, landscaping and setbacks. The double buildings are appealing from all angles, and sunlit corridors within the space will add to the connection and activation on Palm Avenue. It will be a much more visually appealing structure than what the past zoning allowed for, and I think this is a generous approach for the property from the owners who are taking a business risk to save the building.”

“I love that the front will look like the original and the back will be more modern. It’s almost like the back two tiered buildings are going to wrap their arms around the 100-year-old building in front,” said Diane Lane, a massage therapist who has worked in the building for 20 years.

The new Mira Mar plan calls for large view corridors, massive setbacks and sidewalks on all sides, space for outdoor cafes, affordable office space and wide walkways throughout the property.

“I’m going to support the motion because I think this is a really, really good thing to be doing,” said City of Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. “We have to remember that that not all development is evil, and all of these things help move our city forward.”

“I commend the entire community and everyone involved in this project for being creative, for being compromising; this was a really difficult project and I think a lot of parts of our community came together to make something happen and I very much hope it is realized that this project does come together as it has been promised,” said Jen Ahearn-Koch, Sarasota City Commissioner.

“As a local Sarasota developer, our team feels a deep responsibility to get this right. With the exceptional talent on our Seaward team and the dozens of other critical contributors, we’re not only aiming to set an example for historic rehabilitation, but to establish a new standard for thoughtful development in Sarasota,” said DiPinto.

The renovation for the building is expected to begin in late 2025, with reservations for condominium sales opening in late summer. For more information, visit MiraMarSarasota.com.

About Seaward Development

Established in 2009, Seaward Development is a Sarasota, Fla. based boutique property development firm specializing in one-of-a-kind single-family homes, luxury condominiums and commercial properties. The firm’s focus on client relationships, superior quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail sets the firm apart in the marketplace and has allowed it to fulfill a unique market niche and develop premier projects.