Here’s what is on the horizon for bayfront Sarasota.

New Districts in Downtown Sarasota

The Bay

An idea born way back in 2013, The Bay includes a master plan for the bayfront area of downtown Sarasota currently occupied by Centennial Park & The Van Wezel property. With a vision of developing the area with a cultural and economic legacy while keeping open public access to the bayfront, The Bay has been in concept phases since 2013 and Phase 1 is in permitting now, with ribbon cutting anticipated in 3 years or less.

What to be excited about: The Bay will come with a host of amenities, including restaurants with boat parking, shops, an outdoor amphitheater, and an update of the beloved Van Wezel. The plans include extensive outdoor space for biking, walking, kayaking/SUP boarding, as well as environmentally-protected areas and pedestrian-friendly walkways connecting The Bay to east of 41 downtown.

How to get more information: Visit the website associated to the project, thebaysarasota.org. There, you can sign up for their newsletter, which will provide you with regular updates on the progression of this exciting plan. Check out Ask The Bay for video responses to questions from the public about the project — an absolute wealth of information — or submit your own question for response from The Bay’s team.

The Quay

Just south of The Bay is Quay Sarasota, another district current in the development stages. The 14-acre section north of the Ringling Bridge will feature 14 acres of a waterfront district with a focus on luxury: high-end retail options, boutique hotels, and state-of-the-art office space will co-mingle with luxury residential options, some of which are already built and some of which are yet to come. It is designed to be an extension of downtown Sarasota, and many aspects of it are already in the works: The new Ritz Carlton Residences broke ground a few weeks ago, and Quay Harbor has been a staple of Sarasota for many years, even when “the old Quay lot” was just dirt caught in dispute for years on end.

What to be excited about: Increased hotel options right on the waterfront will increase the luxury pull for Sarasota in general. Also, like The Bay, the developers of Quay Sarasota have a focus on respecting the land and protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of our bayfront area.

How to get more information: Visit QuaySarasota.com to find out more about this development, which is projecting completion around 2025.

Stay tuned for part 2, all the new condo developments coming to the bayfront area of downtown Sarasota: Auteur, BLVD, 680 Golden Gate Point, and Evolution.