Discover Bath and Racquet Residences in Sarasota: A Blend of Luxury Living and Racquet Sports 

Sarasota is ready to receive the brand-new Bath and Racquet Residences, a redeveloped and bright community with a historical significance to the city.

What is Bath and Racquet Residences?

This brand-new community is a redeveloped mixed-use project on the old and iconic Bath & Racquet Club located in South Sarasota, near Siesta Key.

The project will include 256 condos designed by Halflants and Pichette Architects, 13 outdoor tennis courts, 16 pickleball courts (12 of which will be indoors), 2 swimming pools, a restaurant, and 22,000 square feet of retail space.

A Rich History: Bath and Racquet Club's Legacy

Founded in 1969, the Bath & Racquet Club served as a beloved social hub for Sarasota’s families, who enjoyed their time playing tennis and racquetball taking lessons, swimming outdoors, and working out in the fitness center.

The club, tucked behind Trader Joe’s on Tamiami Trail, was the main attraction that helped to establish Sarasota’s tennis scene and create a center of social and sports.

With many events and tournaments being held throughout the years, Bath & Racquet Club was responsible for bringing to the city many famous tennis players including names like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova during the 70s.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Scott Olson — the club’s last owner — saw the Sarasota City Commission reject his development proposal, and ended up selling it to a developer for $5.5M.

But, the club continued to decline and was sold later to Sarasota Springs LLC for $15,350,000 on Jan. 7, the company that now inherits the long-winded rezone process that now allows for a mixed residential and commercial use project.

Revitalization and New Development Plans

The acquisition of the club by Sarasota Springs LLC brought the development brand new opportunities for revitalization of the 13-acre area.

With investments from New York-based Silver Sky Global Capital and Federal Finance Group, the plan includes a 40,000-square-foot fitness facility, a junior Olympic swimming pool, 29 tennis courts, a restaurant, and ample parking.

Besides all the retail areas, the plan includes 256 condo units inside the complex, distributed in four separate buildings: The Courtyard, The Courtside, The Parkside, and The Poolside.

While we don’t have an exact completion date — the predictions point to the end of 2026 — when it comes to the condos, phase 1 is nearly complete and sold, and phase 2 is on its way to being launched.

Tommy Haas: A Champion’s Vision for Bath and Racquet Residences

This development wouldn’t be possible without having a strong name such as Tommy Hass, the former tennis player who holds an important role as a global ambassador and club curator.

The German-born athlete moved to Florida in the early ‘90s to attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton and, with his new business venture, is on a mission to give back to the area that helped shape his career.

With a mission to bring decades of expertise to the design and programming of the club, Haas will also oversee the coaching experience and daily tennis operations of future residences.

His vision to honor the club's legacy and create a modern racquet sports experience will be an input of Haas’ experiences around the world, especially after being able to see a variety of courts and landscapes in different countries.

Luxury Living: Inside the Bath and Racquet Residences

When it comes to the condo units, the 256 luxurious apartments will include a variety of sizes in four separate buildings separated from the parking below with a 14” thick solid concrete slab.

Each building has been carefully planned to enhance the size and character of the apartments, maximizing privacy and facilitating access to the Club’s amenities through a stylish pedestrian trail that runs throughout the whole project.

Besides, the design was thought for safety, with a roof that will provide additional protection and waterproofing, hurricane-proof laminated glass windows, and, most importantly, the site is located at an elevation of 25 feet above sea level.

The 4 buildings — The Courtyard, The Courtside, The Parkside, and The Poolside — will have 4 different floor plans, ranging from 700 to 2,100 square feet, and prices starting at $700K reaching up to 1.2M.

There is also 65,000 square feet of light commercial space and tons of on-site varieties and features, including:

• A private members racquet club;

• 13-outdoor tennis courts;

• A state-of-the-art fitness facilities;

• 2 luxurious oversized pools;

• Restaurant & bar;

• Entertainment areas;

• Biophilic Greenwalls;

• A private meeting lounge;

• 12-indoor AC pickleball courts;

• 4-outdoor pickleball courts;

• A 2-acre landscaped park;

• Covered bike storage;

• A walking trail;

• A dog park;

• And a playground.

Embracing the Sport: Tennis and Pickleball at Bath and Racquet Residences

Of all of those world-class amenities, the one I’m sure most people are excited about is the tennis and pickleball courts.

The Residences and Club’s new state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball sports facility is designed to be an iconic complex, reinvigorating the heritage and positioning of the Sarasota Bath & Racquet Club.

Featuring a total of 13 outdoor tennis courts and 16 pickleball courts, the structures will host a total of 12 air-conditioned courts, with an additional 4 open-air courts.

Besides, the area will also include 2 additional shuffle-ball courts, everything well-prepared to cater to sports enthusiasts by giving complete facilities. 

The Community Impact of Bath and Racquet Residences

Not only the redevelopment will offer many new homes and amenities, but it will also have a direct impact on Sarasota’s community, bringing many economic and social benefits.

When it comes to economic benefits, the development will generate numerous jobs during both the construction phase and the ongoing operation of the club.

It will also help increase property values, attract more investments to the area, and create a tourism boost by enhancing the cultural and recreational offerings of the city.

As for the social benefits, Bath and Racquet Residences will impact directly the community engagement, providing spaces for social interaction through its amenities. 

It will also likely improve the quality of life for residents, create cultural preservation, and increase accessibility and local services.

But while this sounds great, there were some community concerns addressed through concessions made by the developers, including the legal challenges and the displacement and gentrification of existing residents in the area.

To address these concerns, the developers made some concessions, working on measures to mitigate negative impacts and ensure the project benefits the broader community.

They also made sure to resubmit their previous construction permits, indicating a path forward for the project.

Bath and Racquet Residences: A Promising Real Estate Opportunity

Sarasota’s real estate market continues to be a concern, even with brand-new developments going on throughout the city.

This dynamic phase, characterized by shifts in pricing, inventory, and buyer behavior, particularly in the luxury condominium segment, brings many concerns and directly influences housing trends.

In July 2024, the median sales price for homes in the city was around $522K, increasing 3.2% from the previous year.

But, even though the prices have increased, luxury condos continue to be appealing for new residents in Sarasota, especially because of the desirable beach lifestyle, including the cultural amenities and the vibrant community atmosphere.

When it comes to the Bath and Racquet Residences, with their focus on luxury living and recreational facilities, their position in the market will surely align well with this demand.

Expected Timeline and Future Plans

The development has reached several key milestones throughout its planning and construction process, from the initial planning to the efforts to finish it by 2026.

First publicly considered in November 2017, the development underwent several ownership changes before Sarasota Springs LLC acquired the property in January 2022 for $15.35M.

The next big step was the site demolition and clearance, which occurred less than three months after the initial demolition began, marking the transition from planning to active construction.

Once this milestone was complete, the project was designed by Halflants + Pichette Architects, focusing on modern luxury and sustainability, followed by the sales launch with nearly 100 units sold during Phase 1.

The next steps include Phase 2 of the sales launch, the construction progress until its completion in 2026 securing a management company for the club, and finalizing the amenities.

Testimonials and Community Feedback

This development has been a huge topic within the city, with local residents, potential buyers, and members sharing their thoughts.

Sarasota’s Mayor, Kyle Battie, believes the development will represent the very best that the city has to offer, claiming that “A city is only as strong as its people.”

For Fabio Di Prima and Tan Bahia, Owners and Managing Partners at Sarasota Springs, the development is an important time in Sarasota’s market, offering new residents to the city a highly designed and expansively amenitized venue.

As a resident, I can tell you that this development brought a shared enthusiasm for the recreational facilities catering to both seasoned athletes and families.

The Future of Bath and Racquet Residences in Sarasota

The Bath and Racquet Residences and Club in Sarasota will represent a significant development in the local real estate market, combining luxury living with a focus on community and wellness. 

Redeveloping a historic place such as Bath & Racquet Club will transform a once-neglected property into a vibrant community hub, preserving its legacy and enhancing the surrounding neighborhood by providing modern amenities and recreational opportunities.

From the diverse appeal for new residents, including professionals, retirees, and families, to the sustainability and economic impact on the city, this development will change Sarasota.

We can expect many benefits once constructions are finished, including market growth, investment potential, and creating a unique lifestyle experience.

Bath and Racquet Residences stands as a beacon of modern living in Sarasota, blending luxury, community, and sustainability.

Next Steps

So, if you’re interested and want to learn more about this development, or if you’re already looking for a home in Sarasota, my team and I would love to be your real estate resource of choice. Reach out to me at:

Email — info@mattleicht.com

Cel — 941.256.3321

You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel for updates on lifestyle, real estate, and so much more in Sarasota, Florida.

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