A controversial downtown Sarasota condo tower that could reshape the city’s skyline may be revived.
Construction of the proposed tallest residential building in Sarasota could be back on track if the city commission approves a mediated settlement agreement with 1260 Palm Properties LLC for the North Palm Avenue mixed-use condominium, commonly known as the Obsidian, when it meets on May 4.
The commission meets at 9 a.m. in Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
The proposal calls for an 18-story building with just 14 luxury residences in a structure that could be at least 327 feet tall.
On May 13, 2025, Sarasota City Commission went against the recommendations of city staff and the city planning advisory board when it found that the site plan did not meet criteria for approval in the city zoning code.
The denial was on a 4-1 vote, with then-mayor Liz Alpert in dissent.
That vote was a victory for area residents who have organized to preserve the charm of Palm Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Residents of the 100-unit Bay Plaza Condominium — which occupies property surrounding the Obsidian — have led the opposition to the proposed development.
Most recently, Ron Shapiro, president of the Bay Plaza Condominium Association, hosted an April 30 rally in opposition to the settlement agreement. About 100 people showed up at the rally.
What will the Sarasota City Commission review?
Following that May 13, 2025 denial, the developer took steps to challenge the denial in circuit court. The first step in that is typically mediation under the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act.
The City Commission will consider an agreement created in January under the auspices of Special Magistrate Mark Bentley.
The site for 1260 Palm Properties consists of eight contiguous parcels with the addresses 1260, 1262, 1264, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1272, and 1274 North Palm Avenue.
The agreement does not deal with the proposed height of the mixed-use complex. It primarily covers the landscape, parking and loading plans — which would include removing historic palm trees off the site, preserving them, and later replanting them in a similar configuration.
The developer would also provide a detailed demolition and construction staging plan.
What is Obsidian?
Plans for the Obsidian call for 14 residential units spanning 14 feet from floor to ceiling and 5,989 square feet of retail area.
The building, slated for a .28-acre lot at 1260 N. Palm Ave. zoned in the Downtown Bayfront district, would be east of the 168-foot Bay Plaza condo complex and essentially surrounded by it to the north, south and west.
It would be taller than the 198-foot-tall One Sarasota Tower office building and the 191-foot tall Marina Tower condo complex.
It would also exceed the 250-foot height of Plymouth Harbor, the 25-story retirement community located on Coon Key, a small key between Bird Key and St. Armands Key.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook, and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Controversial downtown Sarasota condo tower could rise
Reporting by Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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