St. Armands Circle—long celebrated for its charm, walkability, and history—is back in the spotlight as Sarasota City Hall reexamines a contentious proposal to increase building heights, add hotel entitlements, and push density in this beloved shopping district.
For some, this latest push is about progress. For others, it’s déjà vu with a twist of pressure politics.
The Latest Push for Change
Last week, local business owner Geoffrey Michel, who operates Met Spa on the Circle, reignited the debate by urging Sarasota’s City Commission to consider allowing three-story structures. His argument? Without the ability to build up, developers have no incentive to reinvest. He described the Circle as “blighted” and lacking the infrastructure and amenities—like public restrooms and community events—that modern visitors expect.
Michel also cited the aftermath of recent hurricanes, pointing to the vulnerability of older, single-story buildings constructed in the 1960s that don’t meet current flood or safety codes. In his words, "The buildings are unsafe, not up to code, and not proper for Sarasota’s future demographic.”
But Pushback Was Swift
This isn't the first time higher density and development rights have been proposed for St. Armands. In 2022, a similar proposal was met with strong community opposition and ultimately failed. Residents, led by the St. Armands Residents Association, argue that increasing height and density doesn’t solve flooding or revitalization—it exacerbates the very issues the community faces.
Association President Chris Goglia has been vocal in his opposition, stating plainly that “taller construction, increased density, fewer parking spaces, and more traffic” will only strain the area’s already-limited infrastructure. Instead, Goglia advocates for a focus on resilience—encouraging landlords to invest in flood-proofing and beautifying their properties without demanding major zoning changes.
Fact Check: Do the Numbers Add Up?
Goglia also dismantles the claim that developers are handcuffed by the current height limits. Under the current code—when measured from FEMA’s base flood elevation, not ground level—property owners can already construct a three-story building and still stay within the 35-foot height cap. That’s 15 feet for the ground level, 12 for the second, 10 for the third, and even room for interstitial space and roofing.
What opponents fear isn’t revitalization—it’s a backdoor path to hotel overdevelopment that changes the DNA of the Circle forever.
Why Now?
The timing has raised eyebrows. Critics believe that some landlords who haven’t repaired or reopened since the last hurricane are deliberately allowing their properties to sit in disrepair, hoping the city will cave and grant increased development rights. Meanwhile, 90 other businesses have done the hard work to rebuild and reopen—and they’re thriving.
Case in point? St. Armands Circle was just named one of USA Today’s Top 10 shopping destinations in the country. That’s right—Number 7 in the U.S.—thanks to its unique blend of history, coastal luxury, and open-air charm.
So, does it really need to be transformed to succeed?
The Hotel Question
Perhaps the most divisive part of the proposal is the push to allow hotels. Opponents warn that this zoning change could open the floodgates—literally and figuratively—to hundreds of hotel rooms throughout the district. And with over 500 new hotel rooms already approved between the Longboat Key Club expansion and the redevelopment of the former Helmsley Sandcastle on Lido Key, the argument for more accommodations on the Circle feels less urgent.
Even the newly opened St. Regis on Longboat Key added 169 rooms, giving Sarasota’s luxury tourist market a big boost—without disrupting one of its most cherished pedestrian destinations.
What’s Next?
Geoffrey Michel and others supporting change hope this new proposal gains traction. But for community leaders and many residents, the message is clear: Fix the flooding. Restore what’s broken. Preserve what makes St. Armands special.
The future of St. Armands Circle doesn’t have to be about taller buildings and bigger hotels. It can be about smarter, more resilient investments—ones that protect its character, enhance the visitor experience, and keep it high on those “best of” lists for years to come.
