Sarasota developer appeals rejection of plan to demolish downtown Mira Mar building

Developers looking to tear down the historic Mira Mar building in Sarasota are appealing a decision by the city’s Historic Preservation Board to turn down a permit to demolish the structure. In the meantime, the company, Seaward Development, has mostly moved out of the building as needed shoring has yet to be installed.

Seaward, which is in the process of buying the the property from its long-time owner Dr. Mark Kaufman, is planning to present its case for why the Mira Mar needs to come down to the Sarasota City Commission after the city preservation board declined a request to allow for the demolition of the building in June.