Sarasota to Review Proposed 18-Story Downtown Tower

A community workshop is set for November 4 to discuss a new high-rise project slated for South Orange Avenue.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a modern multi-story residential building, highlighting urban development concepts. — Sarasota residents will gather on November 4 to discuss a proposed 18-story mixed-use development at 200 South Orange Avenue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your community prioritize new high-density housing projects over the preservation of local historic buildings?

Developers are seeking approval for a new 18-story residential and commercial tower at 200 S. Orange Ave. in downtown Sarasota. A community workshop regarding the administrative site plan is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

Why it matters

The proposal leverages the statewide Live Local Act and the city's Downtown Attainable Housing Density Bonus Program to increase housing supply in the urban core. The plan includes significant retail space while sparking debate over the future of historic structures on the site.

The proposed tower at the 3-acre site features 197 residential units, with 79 designated as attainable rental apartments for a 30-year period. Orange Pineapple LLC purchased the property for $32 million in 2023.

The players

Orange Pineapple LLC

The real estate development entity that purchased the 200 S. Orange Ave. property for $32 million in 2023.

Architecture Sarasota

The organization hosting the upcoming community workshop regarding the proposed site plan at their location on South Orange Avenue.

The details

The development plan incorporates 65,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and dining space within the Downtown Core zoning area. The parcel currently houses structures dating back to 1925, including buildings that formerly served as the Williams Parker law firm office.

The McAlpin Home was originally built in 1912.
Older site structures were built in 1925, the same year the Williams Parker law firm was founded.
The McAlpin Home received local historic designation in 1984.
Orange Pineapple LLC acquired the property in 2023.
The community workshop is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

Culture Shift

This development reflects the broader statewide push to increase housing density in Florida's urban cores through the Live Local Act. The project signals a transition toward high-density mixed-use environments that prioritize attainable units over the preservation of early 20th-century low-rise structures.

Residents living near South Orange Avenue can expect traffic and site usage changes during the potential construction of the high-rise tower. The project could also provide new local dining and retail amenities once completed, though it involves the demolition of historic structures.

The takeaway

This development highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historic city character and modernizing urban infrastructure to meet housing demands. Residents should monitor the upcoming community workshop to voice concerns regarding the scale of the tower and the impact on the neighborhood identity.