A massive 96-acre redevelopment project poised to transform the site of the aging Sarasota Square mall into a luxury, experiential destination has landed its cornerstone tenant: Whole Foods Market.
Torburn Partners has signed a lease with the premium grocer to anchor the first phase of the ambitious project, officially known as Sarasota Square. The overall plan entails redeveloping the 1977-vintage indoor mall into what the company touts as “a next-generation, experiential-driven, open-air lifestyle destination.”
The redevelopment is a major indicator of Sarasota’s strong commercial and residential growth, particularly in the south county area. The property, located at 8201 S. Tamiami Trail at the busy intersection of U.S. 41 and Beneva Road, sits near the expansive 10,000-acre Palmer Ranch community, an area witnessing significant upscale residential expansion.
New Model for Retail, Living
The new Sarasota Square is designed to be a complete lifestyle hub, integrating retail, residences, and public spaces into a walkable community, aligning with the dominant trend in regional development.
Overall plans include:
• 530,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant, and commercial space.
• 1,200 luxury residential units, with ground breaking anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.
• More than 1 acre of open-air gathering space for social events and community programming.
• Pedestrian-friendly districts and wellness-oriented amenities.
The introduction of Whole Foods, occupying 35,828 square feet, marks a significant upgrade to the area’s grocery options. Torburn Managing Director Michael Simpson confirmed additional leases have been secured, including home décor and furniture retailer HomeSense (24,214 square feet), as well as Charles Schwab and three fast-casual restaurants. Leases were arranged by Rod Castan and Alyona Tsutskova of Metro Commercial Real Estate.
Mixed-Use Center Stage
The redevelopment of Sarasota Square is the latest and largest example of the “prominent trend” of mixed-use developments identified by SVN Commercial Advisory Group. These projects are crucial to the region’s expansion, integrating units, retail, and amenities to foster walkable, vibrant neighborhoods.
This focus on integrated development mirrors other major regional projects, such as Downtown Wellen, a mixed-use district within the Wellen Park master-planned community. That project’s Phase Two includes additional retail, office space, a 120-key hotel, luxury apartments, and public amenities.
The launch of the Sarasota Square redevelopment, anchored by Whole Foods, confirms the shifting real estate landscape in Sarasota—one that favors community-focused, density-friendly, and experience-driven destinations over traditional closed-door mall formats.
