Selby Gardens Anchors Sarasota’s New Wave of Cultural Projects

February 13, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Downtown Sarasota’s cultural evolution is becoming increasingly physical. Established institutions are expanding, waterfront public spaces are growing, new performance venues are being planned, and residential projects such as Adagio Sarasota are taking shape within the same part of the city. Rather than adding one isolated attraction, Sarasota is investing in a collection of places that are changing how residents and visitors encounter the Cultural Coast.

Selby Gardens Made Sustainability Part of the Destination

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides one of the clearest examples. Phase One of its Downtown Sarasota master plan opened in January 2024, adding approximately 188,000 square feet of new facilities and amenities to the 15-acre bayfront campus. The expansion brought together visitor arrival, plant research, dining and energy infrastructure, including the Living Energy Access Facility and its extensive solar arrays, helping make Selby the world’s first net-positive-energy botanical garden complex. These renovations were so impactful that Marie Selby was the only botanical garden worldwide on TIME Magazine’s 2024 “World’s Greatest Places” list.

Expansion Continues for The Bay

No discussion of new additions to Downtown Sarasota’s entertainment scene is complete without mentioning The Bay. Phase 1, which includes an outdoor amphitheater, playgrounds, and greenspaces, has already attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. Construction on Phase 2 is now underway, with an expected completion by the end of 2026. This phase will feature a sunset pier, day docks for easy waterfront access, a resilient shoreline, and new restaurants along Sarasota Bay.

Downtown Sarasota Welcomes a New Stage

While the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall remains a staple of Downtown Sarasota’s arts scene, the city has sought a new venue to complement its cultural offerings. A $36.9 million contract has been approved for a new performing arts center within The Bay, near Tamiami Trail and 10th Street. In collaboration with Italian architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the venue aims to add new performances and events to the Sarasota scene. Currently in the design phase, the goal is to create an adaptable, environmentally sustainable space that welcomes all.

A New Destination for Marine Discovery

Just a short drive from Downtown Sarasota, Nathan Benderson Park is expanding with the new MOTE Science Education Aquarium. At 110,000 square feet, the three-story facility will double the size of the current aquarium, featuring three STEM teaching labs and 1 million gallons of tanks displaying a diverse range of marine life. The largest tank, holding 400,000 gallons, will focus on showcasing the habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. After its topping-off ceremony in late 2024, the MOTE SEA plans to open in early 2025.

Adagio Is Taking Shape Inside Sarasota’s Cultural Core

The relationship between new development and Sarasota’s cultural institutions is also part of the thinking behind Adagio Sarasota. Located at 301 S Palm Avenue, the condominium is positioned near the bayfront, galleries, performing arts venues and Selby Gardens rather than treating downtown culture as something residents would need to drive elsewhere to experience.

The project itself is now more defined than it was when the original article was published. Current plans show flow-through residences oriented toward Sarasota Bay and the downtown skyline, together with amenity spaces focused on wellness, leisure and social gathering. Kobi Karp Architecture and Marc-Michaels Interior Design are working with a development partnership that includes The Lutgert Companies, R&P Holdings and Barron Collier Companies.

Adagio’s official site currently lists its Presentation Gallery as opening this winter at 1500 State Street, Suite 101, in downtown Sarasota. Prospective buyers can join the VIP interest list and receive new residence and project information as it is released at AdagioSarasota.com.