- July 19, 2025
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A Walgreen’s, former Wells Fargo building, an office complex and apartments are set to be demolished in Sarasota so that three new projects can be built. The Sarasota Development Review Committee will be presented with the proposals at its June 3 meeting.
At 3535 N. Tamiami Trail, developers say they plan to demolish a Walgreens drugstore to make way for a 7-Eleven store and fuel station.
The property on US 41 at Myrtle Street was recently sold by Walgreens to ERD-Sarasota LLC, which corresponds to Encore Real Estate Development of Safety Harbor.
ERD-Sarasota LLC purchased the North Tamiami Trail property for $2.65 million in March, according to Sarasota County property records. It last sold for $3.72 million in 2002, records show.
On behalf of the new owner, Bohler Engineering of Tampa proposes replacing the existing Walgreens with a 4,853-square-foot 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station. The store will also have 34 parking spots. Bohler Engineering says the plan is to refurbish the two Walgreens driveways connecting the 1.56-acre property to North Tamiami Trail, Myrtle Street and Norwood Court for access.
Another project appearing before the Development Review Committee also involves a proposed demolition, this one on South Tamiami Trail.
At 2891 S. Tamiami Trail, a 3,400-square-foot single-tunnel car wash is proposed. Wells Fargo currently owns the property on US 41, which has been used as a financial institution, according to Sarasota County property records. The existing building, which features animals like an elephant and camels on its facade, will be demolished and its shared parking will be modified for the new development, according to the proposal, which shows 38 parking spaces will be included.
Called El Car Wash, the car wash will have a tunnel entrance at the north end of the site and egress at the south end, with driveways leading to Webber and Bougainvillea streets, according to the proposal. There will not be any access to US 41 from the car wash, says the plan, which was submitted by Stonefield Engineering and Design of Tampa on behalf of Alejandro Quintana. Quintana is listed as the contract purchaser and director of development for El Car Wash in Doral.
El Car Wash has 80 locations around Florida, according to its website. Founded in 2011 in Miami, the car wash chain says that it offers state-of-the-art technology and eco-friendly practices. El Car Wash also acquired Suncoast Express Car Wash on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.
Developers are proposing demolition of a multi-story office building and multifamily residential building on Ringling Boulevard and Osprey Avenue, respectively, to allow for a new residential development called Ringling & Osprey. The new building is planned to span 10 floors and include 50 residences as well as a two-story parking structure, according to the proposal.
Two parcels will be combined for construction of the new residential development: 1776 Ringling Blvd. and 222 S. Osprey Ave. Both properties are owned by PFI 721 Development LLC of Sarasota.
The company purchased the 1776 Ringling Blvd. office building from BHMC Law Group in 2022 for $1.75 million.
PFI Real Estate of Sarasota bought the apartment building at 222 S. Osprey Ave. in 2022 for $5 million from Edward Haizel, according to Sarasota County property records.
The developer plans to vacate the unutilized right of way between the two buildings (Osprey Court) to create a total project area of 0.77-acre, according to the proposal, submitted by Kimley Horn & Associates of Sarasota.
Of the 50 residential units, two will be designated for attainable housing, the proposal says. Amenities such as meeting rooms, a gymnasium and pool deck are proposed to accompany the residential building.
Trees and wide sidewalks will be among the improvements, according to the proposal, which also says frontages on Osprey Avenue and Ringling Boulevard will create a “sense of place” and add to the “urban fabric of downtown Sarasota and better emphasize pedestrian oriented streets.”
