Archives for November 2014

Ringling College Expansion – New Art Museum

November 24, 2014 by

Ringling-Expansion-SarasotaRingling College begins major construction on new art museum in Sarasota

The adage, “If you build it, they will come,” has taken multiple meanings for the Ringling College of Art and Design’s ongoing construction of the new Sarasota Museum of Art/SMOA facility. Today major renovation began in the historic Sarasota High School building. And the “they” for Ringling College are not only artists and patrons, but also an executive director.

“The Bash!” will be held on Sunday, Jan 18 on the high school grounds

The SMOA Board commenced a search in concert with the ongoing structural improvements of the space for an executive director to operate the space once the space is finished. Once announced, the new executive director will serve as the figurehead of the new institution.

Structurally, the completion and revamping of the historic Sarasota High School will not affect the architectural or structural integrity of the landmark high school building. The old high school will be transformed into a state of the art exhibition space. With approximately 60,000 square feet, 110-seat auditorium, sculpture court, cafes, classrooms and studios for Ringling College classes and various educational outlets. The Sarasota Museum of Art is projected to open in the first quarter of 2016 and aims to be an enveloping laboratory of artistic expression and learning. It will be an integral component of the Ringling College’s already extensive campus.

To showcase to the Sarasota community the renovation progress, celebrate donors and fundraisers, and to look at what lies ahead, SMOA announced today a winter celebration. “The Bash!” will be held on Sunday, Jan 18 on the high school grounds. “The Bash!” will celebrate the approximately $22.5 million raised and constant support for Sarasota’s future home for contemporary art.

YourObserver.com 11/2014

Filed Under: Sarasota Lifestyle, Sarasota New Construction Tagged With: , , ,

Sarasota Construction Projects – Sarasota Lifestyles

November 24, 2014 by

Downtown Sarasota Construction Projects – Development News

The Sarasota housing market continues toSarasota Bay View show signs of strength: In November, at least three housing projects totaling more than 400 units have emerged in neighborhoods near the heart of the Downtown Sarasota. Currently in various stages of development, the projects have the potential to leave a significant mark on the city’s landscape.

ROSEMARY DISTRICT
1401 Fruitville Road
With the Rosemary Residential Overlay District in place, a second developer is seeking to take advantage of the density bonuses created by the new regulations.

Framework Group LLC, a Tampa-based developer, is proposing a five-story, 228-unit apartment complex along Fruitville Road between Central Avenue and Lemon Avenue. With the project, called Sarasota Flats, the group said it hopes to appeal to a broadening market interested in highly amenitized luxury apartments.

The 3.05-acre site is located within the Rosemary Residential Overlay District, which allows for housing projects with a density of 75 units per acre — three times the previous cap. Philip Smith, president of Framework Group, said the incentive to develop in the area was a significant draw.

DOWNTOWN
711 S. Palm Ave.
On Wednesday, the developer behind a planned five-story development on south Palm Avenue appeared before the city’s Development Review Committee.

The condominium complex would replace a single-family residential home at 711 S. Palm Ave., subject to demolition approval.

With 15 units across four residential stories, the development was geared more toward full-time residents., with a goal to attract the end user who will spend significant time here and live here rather than just spending a couple of weeks in Sarasota.

Although the project is in its early stages, concern is already brewing among adjacent property owners about how their sightlines might be affected if the building is not set further back from the sidewalk.

Seaward Development is currently working on plans to bring forward to the city as soon as next month, with a targeted construction date as early as next spring.

DOWNTOWN
1455 Second St.
A site plan has been in place for 1455 Second St. for six years, but the fate of the project has regularly been in question.

On Monday, the City Commission may have helped keep the project afloat, allowing the developer to forgo required payments to an Affordable Housing and Transit Development Fund.

The site plan, approved under the now-expired Downtown Residential Overlay District, calls for a 10-story building with 168 residential units and 16,400 square feet of retail space on the 0.84-acre parcel. Earlier this year, property owner Jesse Biter said he was uncertain whether he could move forward with his plans without another partner coming aboard.

Since then, Carter Acquisitions LLC has agreed to partner with Biter Enterprises in developing the project. Before an agreement is finalized, however, the group sought to avoid the payments to the housing and transit funds as was stipulated following site-plan approval.

Since that approval, the plans have been modified so more than 130 of the apartments are 1,250 square feet or smaller. Bill Merrill, who represented Carter Acquisitions at Monday’s meeting, said the intent of the DROD regulations was to create smaller, more attainable housing units; the required payments to housing and transit were triggered by the number of units larger than 1,250 square feet.

Before the 3-2 vote to forgo the payment, Vice Mayor Susan Chapman questioned whether the smaller apartments qualified as attainable. Jerome Hagley, executive vice president with Carter Acquisitions, said one-bedroom units should range from $1,100 to $1,500, while two-bedroom apartments will be priced from $1,800 to $2,200.

Filed Under: Downtown Sarasota Condos, Downtown Sarasota Construction, Downtown Sarasota Real Estate, Sarasota Lifestyle, Sarasota Real Estate Market News Tagged With: , , , ,

Aria – Longboat Key Luxury

November 23, 2014 by

Luxury and Location – Escape to AriaAria-Longboat-Key

Located on renowned Longboat Key, the distinctive residences of Aria offer a nod to Sarasota’s renowned embrace of Art and Architecture. Five pristine acres will feature a private Gulf beach, unobstructed views in every direction, lush gardens and superior amenities. The gracious floor plans, of the 16 exclusive residences, boast private elevator entries, floor-to-ceiling windows, gulf and bay terraces, fine finishes, flowing indoor/outdoor spaces, security and private garages.

Thoughtful design of this project includes the preservation of the historic Villa am Meer Estate. The 1935 Villa am Meer Estate has been meticulously restored, retaining many of the original finishes, including beautiful handmade ceramic tile floors and intricate stained glass windows.

Features

  • Five-acre beachfront location, with 300-foot on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico
  • Secured gated access with a high-tech monitoring system
  • Four distinctive open floor plans with private elevator access and 10′ ceilings
  • Grand gulf-front terraces with summer kitchens and bay terraces for endless sunrise and sunset views
  • Glass terrace railings and floor-to-ceiling stacking doors with corner openings create a transparent transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces
  • Historic Villa am Meer – A 1935 estate lovingly restored and recreated into a beachfront Residents’ Club with gathering room, private dining room, wine cellar, caterer’s kitchen, fully equipped guest suite, and covered terrace with fire pit
  • Elevated beachside spa and pool with sculptural overhead rain curtain
  • Poolside Cabanas – private seaside gathering rooms for entertaining or peaceful retreat
  • Private two and three car enclosed garages with owner storage
  • First living level Beach Villas with expanded terraces, direct walk-downs to a private 3-car garage, the pool and beach and fire tables – three with private infinity edge pools
  • A separate service elevator, accessed from the garage, allows for pets, and service access without direct residence access
  • The convenience and security of a resident caretaker
Filed Under: Sarasota Lifestyle, Sarasota New Construction, Sarasota Real Estate Market News Tagged With: , , ,

Nik Wallenda’s Chicago Tightrope Walk – November 2, 2014

November 2, 2014 by

Nik Wallenda plans to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday to prepare for his tightrope walk across the Chicago River this weekend, a variety of restrictions are being announced, ranging from bridge closures to a ban on drones.

Wallenda, 35, has spent the past three weeks practicing in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., where he rehearsed on the same rigging that will be used during his stunt Sunday evening. He has often practiced at dusk and employed wind machines to help simulate the conditions he may find here.

A seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas, he is slated to begin his walk at 6 p.m. and finish within two hours. He repeatedly has said he will not use a harness or a net.

Organizers are expected to cancel the event if winds exceed 50 mph. Current forecasts call for a high of 49 degrees Sunday and wind speeds around 14 mph.

“I have trained immensely here in Sarasota and am more than prepared physically and ready to go,” he told reporters. “But the unknowns are, of course, Mother Nature, and that’s really the one thing that we can’t control. I do my best to train in it here in ‘real world’ weather … so I’m feeling very, very confident.”

Wallenda plans to walk more than two city blocks — uphill at a 15-degree angle — between the 534-foot-tall Marina City west tower and the 635-foot-tall Leo Burnett Building. He then will ride an elevator down to the street and return to the west tower, where he plans to be blindfolded as he crosses to the east tower on a tightrope.

Marina City residents have received a set of rules in advance of the stunt, including restrictions on parking and the number of visitors allowed. Residents are also barred from using drones or laser pointers, blaring music, grilling, yelling or taking pictures with flash cameras during Wallenda’s walk.

“We are all very excited to be a part of this historic event,” a letter from building managers states. “Marina City will be on the world stage and we want to make a favorable impression, ensure your safety and that of Nik Wallenda and his crew.”

The letter warns that any violations will “be dealt with severely.”

Spectators also will face restrictions, as the city plans to close bridges at State Street and Dearborn Street from 5 p.m. Sunday to midnight. Wacker Drive will be closed on the south side of the river between Clark Street and Wabash Avenue during that same time.

The river will be closed to watercraft from 6 to 8 p.m.

The city has designated two public viewing areas along the south side of the river. The spots will be on Wacker Drive from Clark Street to Dearborn Street, entering from Clark, and Wacker Drive from Wabash Street to State Street, entering from Wabash.

In preparation for the event, the city also will close Wacker Drive from Dearborn Street to State Street from 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. The Dearborn Street and State Street bridges also will shut down during that time for the setup of stage and production areas.  

http://www.skyscraperlive.com/360.html

Filed Under: Downtown Sarasota Condos, Sarasota Lifestyle Tagged With: ,