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Dr. Mark Kauffman got interested in real estate investment and development more than three decades ago because he didn't trust the stock market.
In the years since, perhaps no single person has influenced the shape of modern Sarasota more. Though some individual real estate projects have been larger or had a greater impact — the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota resort and a few others come to mind — Kauffman's portfolio is tops in sheer magnitude.
From the Main Plaza/Hollywood 20 complex that revitalized Main Street to P.F. Chang's China Bistro building on Osprey Avenue, Kauffman has built, acquired or redeveloped more than a dozen projects valued at tens of millions of dollars.
And today, at 82 years old, Kauffman isn't done yet.
In addition to a new apartment complex in the city's Rosemary District, Kauffman is moving forward with multiple other projects. Those include a four-story office building anchored by Sabal Palm Bank at Ringling Boulevard and Golf Street, right, and a six-story, mixed-use project adjacent to the city's new State Street garage with partners.
“None of this has been by design, but it's been very satisfying,” says Kauffman, who came to Sarasota after retiring as an orthopedic surgeon in Philadelphia.
Kauffman says his success stems, in part, from staying geographically focused on Sarasota and its environs. But colleagues say his collaborative and collegial approach, together with his professionalism, builds trust and respect.
“He wants to build projects that he and everyone on the project team can be proud of,” says Javier Suarez, co-founder of the Apex-Studio Suarez architectural firm and the designer of the planned Sabal Palm building.
“And as such, he can be very accommodating when it comes to exploring opportunities,” Suarez adds. “He really enjoys the process of creation, he knows what he wants in a project and he knows the business very well. There's no one I love to work with more.”
But don't look for Kauffman to tackle another structure like the 10-story Courthouse Centre, a mixed-use building at Washington and Ringling boulevards he developed more than a decade ago.
“I don't want to do high rises any more,” Kauffman says. “I'd rather stay smaller.”
To that end, he intends to cap the Sabal Palm project at four stories, though zoning allows for 10. In the Rosemary District, he also plans to keep the residential and commercial buildings to a maximum of four floors.
“It's better for the site and for the city,” Kauffman says. “I try to make every project appropriate for the area it's going to inhabit, because I live here.”
When he isn't developing, Kauffman splits his time between passions that range from art to tennis. On the former, his one-time personal collection was featured in a book published by the Boca Raton Museum of Art. He was also a driving force behind the conversion of the Gothic-styled former Sarasota High School into a modern museum of art, now under construction.
“I enjoy working,” Kauffman says. “As long as things keep going well, I'll keep doing it. And I work now with my son and daughter and granddaughter. What could be better than that?”
Kauffman's Sarasota real estate portfolio sampling
Main Plaza/Hollywood 20, Main Street
The Bank of Commerce headquarters, Ringling Boulevard
Capstan Center, Washington Boulevard
P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Osprey Avenue and Mound Street
Roy's/Fleming's building, U.S. 41 and Siesta Drive
Links Plaza, Links Avenue and Main Street
1970 Main St. Courthouse Centre, Ringling and Washington boulevards
Stearns Bank Building, Ringling Boulevard and Links Avenue
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