What's Being Built in Sarasota-Bradenton Right Now: Parks, Sports Complexes & Major Retail

One of the questions I hear most from relocation buyers: "What's the area going to look like in five years?" Fair question. Here's what's actually under construction or funded right now across Sarasota and Manatee counties — not wish lists, not proposals, but projects with shovels in the ground or money committed.

Nathan Benderson Park: a $65 million sports complex

Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota — already one of the nation's premier rowing and multi-sport venues — is getting a massive expansion. The new Sports Complex and Boathouse, designed by WJArchitects (which just won a 2026 AIA Florida Citation Award), will span 237,000+ sq ft across two levels.

The facility includes eight full-size basketball courts, multiple volleyball courts, athlete training and recovery areas, community meeting space, tutoring classrooms, and flexible event rooms. The capital campaign goal is $65 million, with $43 million committed to date — including $20 million from Sarasota County, $10 million from the state, and a commitment from the Benderson Family Foundation to cover 20% of construction costs.

The target is completion before the 2028 World Rowing Championships, which Benderson Park will host. For the communities ringing the park — Palmer Ranch, Prestancia, Bee Ridge — this transforms a great park into a world-class sports destination.

Sarasota Square: 96 acres of mixed-use replacing the old mall

The former Sarasota Square Mall at Tamiami Trail and Beneva Road has been demolished, and the 96-acre Sarasota Square redevelopment by Torburn Partners is well underway. Phase I delivers Q1 2027 with 90,000 sq ft of retail — 88% already pre-leased:

• Whole Foods Market — 35,828 sq ft anchor
• HomeSense
• Charles Schwab
• CAVA
• Joe & the Juice
• Chipotle Mexican Grill

Phase II adds 160,000 sq ft of street-oriented retail and dining by end of 2028. A 360-unit multifamily community by Woodfield Development breaks ground summer 2026. This is the biggest single redevelopment in south Sarasota, directly benefiting Gulf Gate, South Gate, Palmer Ranch, and the Beneva corridor.

Downtown Wellen Phase II: 44,000 sq ft of new retail and dining

Wellen Park's walkable Downtown district is adding a 44,000 sq ft Phase II debuting spring and summer 2026:

• Agave Bandido — Mexican-inspired restaurant with tequila-forward menu
• Easy Does It Comfort Kitchen — smashburgers, salads, and comfort dishes by chef Spiros Stogiannis
• Grain & Berry — superfood cafe with acai bowls and cold-pressed juices
• Seaside & Co. — coastal clothing, home decor, wine bar, and lounge
• The Wellmar Hotel — a 120+ room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel with rooftop bar

Add to that a 2-acre fenced dog park with agility equipment and 360 new luxury apartments, and Downtown Wellen is becoming a genuine mixed-use town center — not just an amenity, but a destination.

Warren: a new downtown Sarasota restaurant worth noting

Warren is a two-story restaurant overlooking Selby Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota, blending modern American cuisine with an extensive whiskey bar and premium cuts butchered in-house. It's one of several new dining concepts signaling that downtown Sarasota's restaurant scene continues to mature beyond the tourist-facing waterfront spots.

Why infrastructure investment matters for home values

Here's the real estate takeaway: every one of these projects improves the daily experience of living here, and that shows up in home values. Communities near new commercial centers, entertainment districts, and parks consistently outperform those that are more isolated. When I advise buyers on location, I'm factoring in what's being built — not just what exists today.

The Sarasota-Bradenton area is in a rare position: a high-quality housing market that's also investing heavily in the lifestyle infrastructure that makes people want to stay. That combination is why this market keeps showing up on national "best places to live" lists — it's not just marketing, it's real investment.

If you want to know which neighborhoods are best positioned to benefit from these developments — or if you're relocating and trying to understand the area beyond the beaches — let's talk. I'll give you the honest, ground-level perspective.