Sarasota Square Mall demolition begins

Having spent more than $50 million to acquire properties that comprise the former Sarasota Square Mall, Illinois-based developer Torburn Partners, with offices in Fort Lauderdale, is spending another $1 million to raze most of it in preparation for redevelopment according to sister publication Business Observer.

The publication has reported that demolition is underway, with Torburn having been issued a permit to clear the site — save for three big box buildings — from Sarasota County in December 2024. The mall’s address is 6201 S. Tamiami Trail, just south of the Sarasota city limit. 

Escaping the wrecking ball are Costco and JC Penney, which will remain in operation during and after construction, and the space that formerly housed the AMC Sarasota 12 theater, which ceased operation amid a nationwide corporate realignment in October 2024.

Photo by Elizabeth King

Torburn had previously spent $35.3 million to acquire most of the mall property before buying the final piece, the JCPenney building, for $18 million in August 2024.

Including outparcels and parking, the entire mall property occupies approximately 93.5 acres. In its place, Torburn is planning a town center-style multiuse development planned to include up to 1,200 apartments on the north side of the property along Sarasota Square Boulevard; more than 690,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office space; and an event lawn for outdoor activities and events.

Torburn secured site plan approval from the Sarasota County Commission in April 2024. It shows a free-standing Costco, JCPenney and AMC buildings — all previously attached to the mall — three separate apartment developments next to the Costco parking lot, a variety of specialty retail and restaurant sites, a grocery store and potential medical space with the event lawn in the center. Interior circulation will provide vehicle access to multiple parking lots scattered throughout the site. 

Courtesy image

The County Commission approval includes special code exceptions, including:

• Bar with outdoor entertainment after 10 p.m. or outdoor dining after 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, or after 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Indoor entertainment after 10 p.m.
• Outdoor recreation.
• Outdoor entertainment after 10 p.m.
• Special events in conjunction with an approved outdoor recreation use.
• Garden center with outside merchandise.

Outdoor entertainment may occur only in the commercial/office area of the development or on the lawn area, which is located in the center of the development buffered from surrounding neighborhoods by residential and commercial structures.