Top Deals 2015: Sarasota-Manatee

1. The Fountains at Lake Point Woods and the Springs at Lake Point Woods: $93.1 million

Senior housing caught fire with investors in 2015, and in Southwest Florida, no deal was larger than NorthStar Healthcare Income Inc.'s purchase of the Fountains and Springs at Lake Point Woods, in Sarasota County. The transaction involving the 18.7-acre property marked the largest of a commercial real estate asset in the county's history. The previous sales record had been set in 2003. The 3209-3280 Lake Pointe Blvd. property was one of 15 communities NorthStar, a New York-based real estate investment trust, bought from Fountains Senior Living Holdings for $639 million in all. Thanks to an aging population, senior housing communities nationwide are enjoying higher occupancy and rental rates than ever before.

2. Aston Gardens at Pelican Pointe: $69.4 million