Ground finally broken for Bath & Racquet redevelopment in Sarasota County (Tamiami: rental, condominiums)

[wondermint2]

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...redevelopment/

The six-year odyssey to redevelop the iconic tennis club is underway with a two- to three-year timeline for completion.

Shovels scooped ceremonial dirt and demolition began, with Mayor Kyle Battie at the controls of a trackhoe, at the Bath & Racquet Club redevelopment dubbed “An Icon is Reborn.”

Such is the marketing slogan for the reimagining of the venerable tennis club that was a staple in southern Sarasota for five decades. Developer Sarasota Springs LLC marked the groundbreaking of the redevelopment Friday morning. When complete in some three years, a rebuilt racquet club will be surrounded by a mixed-use development of luxury condominiums and 65,000 square feet of commercial and office space.

The developer acquired the property in January 2022 for $15.35 million.

The start of construction is actually the beginning of the second phase of development, in the first a reported 80% of the initial condos offered are under contract. The start of construction marks the end of several years of ownership changes, master plan alterations and court challenges brought by surrounding residents.

The club, located on a 13.43-acre site at 2170 Robinhood St. off South Tamiami Trail behind Trader Joe’s, has been closed since 2020 and has fallen into decay.

[beach43ofus]

So, what will they put there?

[wondermint2]

Developer of revamped Bath & Racquet Club talks what attracted him to Sarasota project

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...7514fb5e&ei=36

What attracted developer Fabio Di Prima to the 13.4 acres just off U.S. 41 south of Bee Ridge Road was more than just proximity to the white sand beaches of Siesta Key and the short drive to downtown Sarasota.

He sees ability to breath life into a Sarasota icon while creating a live-work-play project focused on healthy living.

Last month, construction began on Bath & Racquet Residences & Club, which will eventually include 223 condominiums, 33 rental units and a private sports facility have indoor pickleball courts and outdoor tennis courts, replacing the former sports facility.

The former Bath and Racquet Club opened in 1969 and helped develop Sarasota into a tennis destination after attracting some of the sport's brightest stars. Both Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova attended tournaments at the Sarasota tennis facility in the 1970s.

The club grew its membership to more than 4,000 at the height of its popularity, Di Prima said.

However, by 2020 when it closed, the private club needed a refresh.

"This will be the Bath and Racquet Club 2.0," he said. "Meaning that it will be a membership-based club open to nonresidents as well.”

The completed project will have a 35,000-square-foot indoor pickleball court with a dozen courts, a 4,000-sqaure-foot fitness center, 13 outdoor tennis courts and four additional outdoor pickleball courts. There will also be a small community park on the property as well.