Developer of former Sarasota Square Mall site announces more tenants

The redeveloper of the former Sarasota Square Mall has announced several more tenants and new details of its 96-acre mixed-use project on the site, at the corner of U.S. 41 and Beneva Road. Demolition of the mall began last winter, after Sarasota County approved the project in April 2024.  

Three fast-casual restaurants — Chipotle Mexican Grill, CAVA Mediterranean and Joe & The Juice— will occupy a combined 7,418 square feet., the developer, Northbrook, Illinois.-based Torburn Partners says. Charles Schwab will also open a new branch totaling 5,163 square feet. 

Those tenants will join a Whole Foods and HomeSense, the Business Observer reported in August. Whole Foods Market will anchor Phase One of the retail development, leasing approximately 35,828 square feet of space. Adjacent to Whole Foods, home decor and furniture retailer HomeSense has signed a lease for 24,214 square feet. 

“I’d like to thank Rod Castan and Alyona Tsutskova from our brokerage partner, Metro Commercial Real Estate, for getting us out of the gate strong and securing our first group of tenants,” said Torburn Managing Director Michael Simpson in a news release. “Landing Whole Foods as our first anchor tenant affirms our belief in the need for an upscale lifestyle center that redefines how people live, shop and connect in one of Florida’s most dynamic coastal communities.”

Plans for Sarasota Square include 1,200 luxury residential units; 530,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and commercial space; and more than one acre of outdoor gathering space for social events and community programming.

According to the news release, the project will feature pedestrian-friendly districts, lush landscaping, wellness-oriented amenities and a dedicated event venue designed to support year-round activations.

Torburn will develop Sarasota Square in three phases. The retail portion is already under construction, and the residential will break ground in the first quarter of 2026. 

Meanwhile, leasing activities remain underway.

“We are currently in discussions with several well-known brands in the health and fitness, lifestyle, and hospitality sectors and look forward to announcing additional tenants soon,” Simpson says in the news release. 

Torburn specializes in acquisitions, real estate development, asset and property management and construction management.