Zenith tower in Sarasota to be razed, replaced with 18-story mixed-use project

A remnant of Sarasota’s growth in the 1970s standing at the historic center of downtown, the city’s Development Review Committee has had its first look at plans to demolish and redevelop The Zenith building at Five Points, the roundabout at Main Street and South Pineapple Avenue.

Developer Jebcore Z Tower of Sarasota, a subsidiary of Jebcore Cos., is seeking administrative site plan approval to build an 18-story, mixed-use residential tower consisting of 96 dwelling units and 41,837 square feet of commercial and office space. Of the 96 residences, the prices of seven will be attainable as the project will take advantage of the city’s affordable and attainable housing bonus density.

Jebcore is connected to Jim Bridges, an experienced downtown Sarasota developer with a list of projects that includeS the Embassy Suites Hotel, the Vista Bay Point Condominiums on Golden Gate Point and The “Q” Townhome Project on Ringling Boulevard. The owner of the Zenith building is Winter Garden-based WMG Development, Sarasota County property records show, WMG paid $24 million for the site in 2023.