Sarasota County buys prominent office building for $12M

Sarasota County has purchased the former CAN Community Health headquarters in Sarasota, a prominent and sleek glass office building on Fruitville Road about halfway between Interstate 75 and downtown Sarasota.

The county paid just under $12 million for the property and the 23,192-square-foot-office building, according to Kevin Robbins with Harry E. Robbins Associates Inc. Robbins and his brother Derek Robbins represented the seller, CAN Community Health. CAN, with a focus on helping people with HIV, Hepatitis C, STDs and other diseases, has moved its headquarters space to Ybor City in Tampa.

The county’s purchase, according to a statement from the brokerage, includes the two-story commercial structure as well as 1.9 acres to the east, bordering Tree Road and formerly occupied by the Julie Rohr Academy. A county spokesperson wasn't available Wednesday evening to comment on the purchase; Kevin Robbins says he believes the county will use the space for the supervisor of elections office.