Updated September 2026 – The former Sarasota Square Mall is being transformed into a mixed-use destination with new shopping, dining, residences, and outdoor gathering spaces near Palmer Ranch.
The former Sarasota Square Mall site on South Tamiami Trail is undergoing one of the largest redevelopment projects in South Sarasota. Located next to Palmer Ranch, the nearly 100-acre property is being transformed from a traditional enclosed mall into a mixed-use destination planned to include shopping, restaurants, residences, outdoor gathering spaces, offices, wellness businesses, and other commercial uses.
For Palmer Ranch residents and home buyers, the redevelopment is especially significant. While Palmer Ranch has long offered established neighborhoods, golf, trails, parks, and convenient access to Sarasota and Siesta Key, it has not had a large centralized town-center-style destination comparable to some of Southwest Florida’s newer master-planned communities. The redevelopment of Sarasota Square could help fill part of that role by bringing more dining, shopping, services, and gathering spaces to South Sarasota.
What Happened to Sarasota Square Mall?
Sarasota Square Mall opened in 1977 and for decades served as one of South Sarasota’s primary shopping destinations. Like many traditional enclosed malls across the country, Sarasota Square eventually struggled as shopping habits changed and major department stores departed.
The mall closed in December 2024, and demolition of most of the enclosed shopping center began in early 2025. Rather than simply replacing the old mall with another shopping center, the property is being redeveloped as a multi-phase, mixed-use destination designed around shopping, dining, residences, outdoor spaces, and a more walkable environment.
What Is Replacing Sarasota Square Mall?
The new Sarasota Square is planned as a nearly 100-acre mixed-use redevelopment at South Tamiami Trail and Beneva Road. At full buildout, current plans call for approximately 530,000 square feet of retail, dining, wellness, office, and other commercial space along with approximately 1,200 residential units.
The redevelopment is being completed in phases. Phase 1 is focused primarily on everyday shopping, dining, and services, while Phase 2 is expected to introduce a more substantial town-center-style environment with additional restaurants, shops, pedestrian areas, landscaping, and outdoor gathering spaces.
Phase 1: What’s Coming to Sarasota Square in 2027?
The first phase of Sarasota Square includes approximately 90,000 square feet of commercial space and is currently expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027. As of May 2026, approximately 88% of Phase 1 had already been pre-leased.
Confirmed Phase 1 tenants include:
- Whole Foods Market: The grocery store will serve as a major anchor for the first phase of the Sarasota Square redevelopment.
- HomeSense: The home furnishings and décor retailer will bring furniture, lighting, accessories, seasonal merchandise, and home accents to the development.
- CAVA: The Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant offers customizable bowls, pitas, proteins, vegetables, dips, and toppings.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: The popular fast-casual restaurant will add another convenient dining option to the development.
- Joe & The Juice: A café concept known for juices, coffee, shakes, sandwiches, and other quick dining options.
- Warby Parker: The eyewear retailer will offer prescription glasses, sunglasses, and other vision-related products.
- Charles Schwab: The financial services company will add another everyday service to the Phase 1 tenant mix.
Whole Foods Market Coming to Sarasota Square
Whole Foods Market is one of the most anticipated additions to the redevelopment and will anchor the first phase of Sarasota Square. The store is expected to occupy approximately 35,800 square feet, bringing another major grocery option to residents of Palmer Ranch and surrounding South Sarasota neighborhoods.
The addition is particularly notable because Whole Foods will become part of a much larger mixed-use development rather than operating as an isolated grocery store. CAVA, Chipotle, Joe & The Juice, Warby Parker, HomeSense, and Charles Schwab are also planned within the first phase.
Phase 2: A Town Center Begins to Take Shape
While Phase 1 establishes the everyday shopping and dining component of Sarasota Square, Phase 2 is where the redevelopment is expected to take on more of a town-center atmosphere.
Current plans call for approximately 160,000 square feet of additional street-oriented retail and dining space. The concept includes a central lawn, outdoor dining, landscaped gathering areas, shaded pedestrian connections, and space that can be used for community events and everyday social activity.
Developers are targeting a mix that may include chef-driven restaurants, fashion retailers, boutique fitness businesses, and other experience-oriented concepts. Specific Phase 2 tenants have not yet been announced, and plans can change as leasing and construction progress.
Phase 2 is currently anticipated to open by the end of 2028.
Residential Development at Sarasota Square
Housing is another major component of the redevelopment. The overall Sarasota Square plan allows for approximately 1,200 residential units, creating a true mixed-use environment where some residents will be able to live within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, services, and outdoor gathering spaces.
The first major residential project is planned as a 355-unit apartment community on approximately 4.5 acres of the property. Plans call for five- and six-story residential buildings with amenities for residents.
Initial occupancy for the apartment project is currently anticipated in the first quarter of 2028, with completion expected later that year. Additional residential development is expected as later phases of Sarasota Square move forward.
What’s Still Open at the Former Sarasota Square Mall?
Although most of the former enclosed mall has been demolished, not everything at Sarasota Square disappeared.
- Costco: Costco remains open at 8201 S. Tamiami Trail and continues to operate during the redevelopment. Costco also purchased the property occupied by its Sarasota store in 2025.
- JCPenney: JCPenney remains open as a freestanding retail location while redevelopment continues around it.
- Former AMC Theater: The AMC movie theater closed in 2024. The theater building remains on the property but is currently vacant.
Could Sarasota Square Become a Town Center for Palmer Ranch?
One of the most interesting aspects of the Sarasota Square redevelopment is what it could mean for nearby Palmer Ranch.
Palmer Ranch is one of Sarasota’s largest master-planned communities and includes numerous neighborhoods, golf courses, parks, trails, lakes, preserves, and access to the Legacy Trail. What it has not traditionally had is a large, centralized district combining restaurants, shopping, residences, events, and outdoor gathering spaces in one walkable destination.
Sarasota Square is not officially a Palmer Ranch town center, but its location immediately adjacent to the area and its planned mix of uses could allow it to serve a similar purpose for many nearby residents. Phase 2’s planned central lawn, outdoor dining, pedestrian areas, restaurants, shops, and community-oriented gathering spaces will be particularly important in determining how the development ultimately functions.
Whether Sarasota Square eventually becomes a regular gathering place for Palmer Ranch residents will depend on the final tenant mix and how later phases develop, but the project represents a significant change from the traditional enclosed mall that previously occupied the property.
What the Sarasota Square Redevelopment Means for South Sarasota
The redevelopment will bring considerably more activity to a property that had become increasingly underused as the former mall declined. Residents in surrounding communities will gain additional grocery, dining, shopping, wellness, and service options without necessarily having to travel north toward Downtown Sarasota or University Town Center.
At the same time, a development of this size will add residential density and commercial activity to the South Tamiami Trail and Beneva Road area. Traffic patterns and the impact of additional activity will be important factors to watch as the project develops.
For home buyers researching the larger area, our Sarasota homes for sale guide provides additional information about communities and real estate throughout Sarasota.
What’s Next for Sarasota Square?
Construction is already underway, but Sarasota Square will take several years to fully develop. Phase 1 is currently targeting delivery in the first quarter of 2027, followed by the first residential units and the larger Phase 2 town-center component in 2028. A third phase is also contemplated as part of the overall redevelopment, although final details have not yet been announced.
As additional restaurants, retailers, and services are announced, Sarasota Square could become one of the most significant new lifestyle destinations in South Sarasota and an important amenity for nearby Palmer Ranch residents.
Information updated September 2026. Tenants, development plans, residential unit counts, construction schedules, and anticipated opening dates are subject to change as the Sarasota Square redevelopment progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sarasota Square Redevelopment
What is replacing Sarasota Square Mall?
The former Sarasota Square Mall is being redeveloped into a nearly 100-acre mixed-use destination planned to include approximately 530,000 square feet of retail, dining, wellness, office, and other commercial space along with approximately 1,200 residential units and outdoor gathering areas.
What stores and restaurants are coming to Sarasota Square?
Confirmed Phase 1 tenants include Whole Foods Market, HomeSense, CAVA, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Joe & The Juice, Warby Parker, and Charles Schwab. Additional restaurants, retailers, fitness businesses, and other tenants are expected to be announced for later phases.
When will the new Sarasota Square open?
Phase 1 of the Sarasota Square redevelopment is currently expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027. Phase 2, which is planned to include approximately 160,000 square feet of additional shopping and dining along with outdoor gathering spaces, is currently targeted for the end of 2028. Development schedules are subject to change.
Are Costco and JCPenney still open at Sarasota Square?
Yes. Costco and JCPenney remain open while the former mall property is redeveloped. The former AMC movie theater is closed and the theater building is currently vacant.
Is the Sarasota Square redevelopment part of Palmer Ranch?
Sarasota Square is located next to Palmer Ranch but is not officially the Palmer Ranch town center. Because the redevelopment is planned to include restaurants, shopping, residences, pedestrian areas, outdoor gathering spaces, and events, it could provide Palmer Ranch residents with a nearby town-center-style destination as the project develops.
Explore Palmer Ranch Homes for Sale
The Sarasota Square redevelopment is bringing significant new shopping, dining, services, and residential development to the area surrounding Palmer Ranch. If you’re considering living nearby, explore Palmer Ranch homes for sale to learn more about its neighborhoods, amenities, golf communities, trails, and currently available properties.
