Archives for August 2016

Introducing THE GRANDE Sarasota

Introducing THE GRANDE
New Luxury Residences – DowntownSarasota

The GrandeThe Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with a lifestyle of singular style and grace. Now, the latest evolution of that lifestyle is making its debut on the glistening shores of Sarasota Bay.

A masterful blend of waterfront vistas, elegant architecture and unparalleled personal services, life at The Grande comes complete with private rooftop amenities, a dedicated staff, and the legendary resort pleasures of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, including its celebrated beach and golf clubs, waterfront dining, and full-service spa and salon.

The Grande at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota fulfills a vision for the next generation of contemporary condominium living. An exclusive collection of 86 modern, ultra-luxury residences. Where open floor plans showcase the finest appointments and expansive great rooms feature gourmet kitchens that flow into gracious living and dining areas. Where intimate owners’ suites, spacious terraces and endless waterfront views set the stage for life without limitation.  View the Brochure

A PRIVATE WORLD. Ready to revolve around you.

Elegant new waterfront residences fulfill a vision for the ultimate in contemporary condominium living. Designed to engage all the senses, open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows frame dramatic city and water views. Expansive great room’s feature gourmet kitchens that flow into gracious living and dining areas. Intimate master suites, spacious terraces and endless vistas set the stage for life without limits.

Each day dawns with infinite possibilities at your fingertips and the impeccable services of a dedicated staff close at hand. Start with a morning workout or yoga in state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Take an invigorating swim in The Grande’s own stunning rooftop pool. Reserve an early tee time at the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Or schedule a rejuvenating massage at the hotel’s exquisite Spa & Salon, followed by breakfast with friends at the elegant Terrace Café.

The Grande’s unrivaled services are provided with a knowing personal touch that makes each moment unique and every day a celebration of the best that life has to offer. Your cabana at the Gulf front Beach Club awaits. Your favorite table overlooking the water at Jack Dusty is reserved for dinner. And when you’re ready to step into in Sarasota’s world-renowned nightlife, arts and culture, your car is valeted to your doorstep.

As the sun sets over the bay, the nightlife awakens. The Grande at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is mere steps away from cultivating entertainment and fine dining in historic Sarasota, FL. Enjoy exquisite dining at Zagat rated restaurants, take in the performing arts at the historic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall or enjoy a glass of wine at one of Sarasota’s many lounges.

Life. Served to Perfection.

SB Architects commissioned to create The Grande’s striking new waterfront design. Based in Miami and San Francisco, the award-winning international firm is known for its dedication to site-sensitive, contextually appropriate architectural design. SB Architects has designed other Ritz-Carlton properties, including a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and has been responsible for design renovations at several Ritz-Carlton locations.

Getting Around – Proposed Sarasota Transportation Alternatives

Sarasota Traffic Plan Includes Adding 16 Roundabouts

getting aroundOptions for getting around Sarasota could soon evolve from car or bus rides to trips on commuter rails, water taxis and new bike and pedestrian paths.

City planners and engineers presented ideas for alternative transportation at a City Commission workshop Monday afternoon as residents have grown increasingly frustrated with increasing traffic congestion.

In addition to transportation alternatives, city officials also proposed lots of roundabouts as a way to reduce accidents and smooth traffic flow.

City officials want to add 16 roundabouts to Sarasota roads by 2023, including nine in the downtown core. Six would dot U.S. 41 north of Fruitville Road, while one would be on Siesta Drive just east of U.S. 41.

Engineers cited National Cooperative Highway Research Program statistics showing that roundabouts result in a 35 percent reduction of all intersection crashes and a 76 percent reduction in serious injury and fatal crashes.

They also said the traffic circles are safer for pedestrians and reduce rush-hour delays.

The first of the new traffic circles would be built along U.S. 41 at the intersection of 10th Street near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and at 14th Street near Whitaker Gateway Park by 2017. It could cost more than $42 million to complete all 16.

But the roundabouts are only a piece of the proposed transportation picture. Additional options include:

  • A pilot water taxi service would have stops at Centennial Park, Mote Marine, Siesta Key’s north bridge and Marina Jack. Eventually, if Manatee County agrees, the ferries could take people from Siesta Key’s North Bridge to Holmes Beach, Palmetto and downtown Bradenton.
  • A commuter rail could revive a long dormant north-south railroad track between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, making stops at the airport and at a future downtown transportation hub near Lime Avenue and Fruitville Road.
  • Fixed-rail street cars — which could cost between $1.3 and $1.9 million — would circulate downtown on one of four routes.
  • Rapid bus transit lines would run along Bee Ridge Road, Fruitville Road, south U.S. 41, north U.S. 41 and along University Parkway and U.S. 301.
  • Trolley routes to the beaches and downtown would also be expanded.

While many of these ideas sound far-off, city officials have been working on a zoning overhaul since 2013.

City Engineer Alex DavisShaw, the city’s engineer, said it could be 2031 before all of the initiatives are completed, if the city approves them.

“Looking at the big picture, the downtown circular and roundabouts on U.S. 41 will be huge game-changers,” DavisShaw said. “Not just the multi-modal forms of transportation, but it will change the way traffic feels in Sarasota.”

But Commissioner Susan Chapman questioned the effectiveness of the measures when compared to the cost.

“I think that’s the whole issue — you have to really plan and actually find out who is going to stop driving to take transit,” Chapman said.

Chapman said she has visited other tourist destinations where visitors often use transportation alternatives. But she added she was unimpressed by how few people used the Lido Key circular trolley on the Fourth of July weekend. The free service shuttled boat race revelers from downtown to Lido Key.

“From what I heard, it was free and people still didn’t use it,” she said.

Herald Tribune July 16, 2016