The two developments woven into the landscape of Lido Key have one thing in common: luxury.
In a particularly upscale example, a hotel and restaurant reflecting the Roaring Twenties vibe and Sarasota’s history as a circus town will soon open on Benjamin Franklin Drive.
More luxurious locations are further south. Rosewood Residences, a high-rise condominium complex that is a first-of-its-kind project that offers residents an ultra-luxury hotel-like experience, is taking shape with units valued at up to $15 million.
Cirque Saint Armands
The circus-themed project, Cirque St. Armands, is scheduled to open in March at 233 Benjamin Franklin Drive, the former Holiday Inn site, which has been undergoing renovations for several months. Ta. The on-site Holiday Inn was built in 1970.
“It will attract attention,” Milo Davidovich, the hotel’s regional manager, said in a statement. “There are nods to circus tradition throughout, but they are presented in a very elegant Art Deco meets Roaring Twenties vibe.”
Opal Collection, which manages the property, said the hotel will feature ostrich feather chandeliers, pinstripe columns, billowing curtains and geometric patterns.
Cirque St. Armand’s has 135 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, all displaying antique photographs of circus performers who trained in Sarasota in the 1920s and 1930s. Masu. Ringling Brothers made Sarasota the winter home of their circus in 1927.
Cirque St. Armands, a former Holiday Inn, has a circus atmosphere.
The hotel’s Ringside restaurant will also feature a circus theme. A billboard-sized mural will feature a trapeze artist, and five private booths will be complemented by velvet curtains. Enjoy a menu full of Gulf seafood and flavorful dishes.
Ringside “will be one of the most unique and exciting new dining destinations in Sarasota, offering unexpected and picturesque drinks, decor and food,” Davidovich said.
Drinks and small plates are also served at the lobby bar and lounge called Midway. A pool bar called Ringmaster will also open from March onwards.
A three-ring-shaped pool inspired by a “three-ring circus” is scheduled to be completed this spring. It features striped loungers and tent-like cabanas. Guests also have access to the on-site fitness center and 100 feet of private beach at Opal Collection’s sister property, Lido Beach Resort.
Rosewood Residence Lido
Another new, even larger development is underway at 1000 Benjamin Franklin Drive, with a massive 11-story building being built on the bay side of the street. Rosewood Residences Lido will include 65 condominiums priced from $6.5 million to $15 million. Each unit offers waterfront views and a private balcony.
This project is the first dedicated residential Rosewood branded property in the country, with more to come. Previous Rosewood Residences were attached to hotels and resorts such as New York’s Rosewood Hotel and The Carlyle.
Ronto Group, a Naples-based developer and owner of Lido real estate, approached “several luxury hotel brands” about establishing branded residences there, and “all of them wanted to be a part of it.” said Anthony Solomon, president of Ronto Group.
“Then when we talked to Rosewood, we realized that Rosewood was the brand of choice, because it’s hard to get anything much more well-known than the Rosewood brand,” Solomon said. , about the company, which operates more than 30 facilities around the world. “We felt it complemented Sarasota’s style. Their luxury brand is quiet luxury.”
Residents of Rosewood Residences Lido have access to a full-service restaurant exclusively for property owners and guests that also offers room service. The restaurant has a private dining room and indoor and outdoor bars. A fully staffed beach club and owner’s lounge also offers food and beverage service.
Other amenities include a fitness center with locker rooms, massage areas, steam room, and cold plunge. There are two zero-edge swimming pools, one at beach level and one on the third floor. Game room with billiards, cards, arcade games, and toddler playroom. theater. Six guest suites feature full closets and bathrooms. All common areas are designed by New York City interior designer Lillian Wu.
“This is an amenity package like no other,” Solomon said. “It’s not temporary and you get all the benefits of a hotel.”
Ronto Group President Anthony Solomon expects the Rosewood Residences Lido project to be completed in early 2026.
Condos range in size from more than 3,300 square feet to nearly 5,000 square feet and are accessed by semi-private elevators. Each unit is equipped with a Wolf cooktop, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, and Miele dishwasher.
Rosewood’s trained staff will oversee the facility’s daily operations and management.
“They provide (services) before you even ask,” Solomon said.
He gives one example: a resident might have a grandchild visiting who wants chicken fingers on the beach. “They will make it happen,” Solomon says.
As of mid-December, about 40% of the items have been sold.
“The one thing they all had in common was that they were all very nice, down-to-earth people,” Solomon says of the buyers he has met so far. “They look forward to this as a place to spend time with their children and grandchildren.”
Solomon said the project cost more than $300 million, including land. The 3.5-acre site previously housed two hotels, which were purchased and later demolished. Ronto Group paid $15 million for a hotel called Coquina on the Beach and $24.5 million for another Gulf Beach Resort motel. Both deals closed in 2021, according to Sarasota County real estate records.
Rosewood Residences Lido is expected to break ground in January, top out its 11th floor in November, and be completed by early 2026.
“Sales are strong,” Solomon said. “We knew we weren’t going to have incredibly strong sales given the prices. These are the best price points in Sarasota because of what we’re offering. I am very satisfied.”
