Archives for April 2017

Sarasota Quay Developer Focused on Retail

Sarasota QuayFocused on Retail

Sarasota Quay developer GreenPointe Communities has ambitious plans for its 15-acre, waterfront tract on the edge of the city’s downtown, but its roughly $1 billion plan will likely hinge on its retail offerings.

The Jacksonville-based developer, during an Urban Land Institute tour of key Sarasota projects earlier this month, says it plans ground-floor retail “at every opportunity.”

“The retail will be as upscale as any seen in Sarasota,” says Rick Harcrow, GreenPointe’s regional president and the company executive spearheading the Quay project.

GreenPointe hopes to begin work on a series of residential and mixed-use towers next year, following roughly $30 million worth of required infrastructure. The company plans to build out the Quay in a grid fashioned into 10 small city blocks.

In all, 695 condominiums are planned, along with a 175-room hotel, apartments and retail space.

“Sarasota is experiencing the kind of economic development success that any city would relish having,” Harcrow says during the ULI tour that highlighted Kolter Group’s Vue Sarasota Bay; a 42-acre, city-owned tract that contains the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; and the city’s Rosemary District, where more than 1,000 new rental apartments are being constructed or planned.

“It’s definitely not your parents’ Sarasota anymore.”

 

Sarasota Observer, April 4, 2017

Sarasota Luxury Market Overview

sarasota luxury

 

Sarasota Luxury Real Estate Market

Trying to put all of the pieces together to formulate a comprehensive Sarasota Luxury Real Estate Report has proven challenging. From new construction and global economic factors, to area tourism and mortgage rates… Here’s what we know:

  • Inventory Levels are Up
  • Luxury Property Sales are Taking Longer
  • New Construction is A Contributing Factor

Current Condo Inventory

According to the Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee April report, Sarasota County is reflecting a 6-month supply of condos, indicating a buyer’s market. As the condo construction continues, the inventory levels are anticipated to inch up.

Luxury Market Zip Code 34236
Condos (April 15, 2017) $1M-$5M

82 Properties on the Market
259 Average Days on the Market

Sold Condos 34236
January 1 – April 15, 2017 $1M-$5M

33 Properties Sold
111 Average Days on the Market

Trend

Cities with booming luxury markets are attracting high-income buyers seeking a place to live, work and grow their families. Transient and investment luxury buyers have shown much less interest in the close of 2016, and continuing into the first quarter of 2017. Twenty seventeen is also indicating a surge of starter home purchases, versus eager investors.

Stock Market Gains

The stock market gains have done very little to move the overall prices in the luxury real estate market.  The average luxury home prices were flat in the final quarter or 2016, which appears to be carrying over into the first quarter of 2017.

The Impact of Tourism

Visit Sarasota County is also reporting relatively no increases in the number of visitors arriving in Sarasota for 2017, following years of setting visitor records. According to the organization’s president, the slowdown in Sarasota County is largely the result of the European markets. “The number of travelers to Sarasota County from the United Kingdom, Central Europe and other international markets is down 7 percent, 21.3 percent and 18.7 percent, respectively.” “Domestic markets are growing or holding their own, but the international pullback is taking a toll.”