Karen Whitaker

Global Real Estate Advisor
DRE#

The Gulf Coast's Most Ambitious New Construction Boom

 

 

 

Sarasota isn't just a luxury coastal destination — it's becoming one of Florida's most elite addresses. While the broader housing market has slowed, the luxury segment is accelerating: luxury now accounts for 7.6% of Florida's west coast market, up from 5% in 2023.

The St. Regis on Longboat Key, Rosewood on Lido Key, and Ritz-Carlton Sarasota Bay are setting a new benchmark. And for buyers who understand how luxury real estate is priced across Florida, the comparison is striking.

Watch: How Sarasota's Luxury Pricing Compares to Naples and Miami

 

  

 

Book a Private 15- Minute Market Overview → 

 

The numbers make the case clearly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota Bay starts at $3.7M — approximately $1,400/sq ft at pre-construction pricing. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Naples starts at $4.8M, at $2,000–$2,500/sq ft. Same brand. Same standard. A meaningful pricing difference.

  • Rosewood Residences Lido Key starts at $6.8M. Rosewood Naples starts at $12.5M. The Sarasota product delivers the same Rosewood experience at nearly half the entry price.   

  • St. Regis Longboat Key is averaging approximately $2,100/sq ft in resales. St. Regis Miami is selling at up to $3,500/sq ft. The Gulf Coast address carries a significant discount to its Miami equivalent — for now.

 

 

People with means invest in real estate for two reasons: they get to enjoy it now, and it grows in value over time. Sarasota currently offers both.

The pricing gap exists because multiple ultra-luxury projects arrived in the market simultaneously, competing for a buyer pool that hasn't fully engaged with Sarasota at this level yet. That dynamic — significant supply meeting a market still building its luxury identity — is what keeps pricing below Naples and Miami today.

As these projects deliver, early buyers establish comps, and Sarasota's profile rises nationally, that gap narrows. In April, 46% of all home sales and nearly two-thirds of all condo sales closed in cash — mirroring what's happening in top-tier luxury markets globally. The buyers moving now understand the window.

 

See Which Projects Represent the Best Value Right Now →

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



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