Posted on January 22, 2026

Construction Progress Spurs New Sales Activity at Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay

After a relatively measured period for Sarasota’s luxury new-construction market, activity continues to accelerate as projects reach visible construction milestones and delivery timelines become more defined. Buyers who had been monitoring the market are now responding to clarity, particularly where progress is tangible and execution is evident.

At The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay, that dynamic is translating into meaningful results. Following the project’s recent construction topping out, four residences have gone under contract within the past 30 days, representing more than $25 million in sales, positioning the property as an early leader in current high-end new-construction activity. The pace reflects the broader market confidence, and where buyers are choosing to act first.

For luxury buyers, the Ritz-Carlton name represents a level of assurance that extends well beyond location or design. It signals the delivery of a highly serviced residential lifestyle and sets a clear expectation for future residents. When that brand confidence aligns with visible construction progress and a clearly defined delivery window of Q4 2026, it creates the kind of certainty that allows buyers to move forward decisively.

“The combination of the Ritz-Carlton brand and our clearly visible construction progress is resonating with buyers,” said Ed Jahn, Senior Vice President at Kolter Urban. “As the building takes shape and delivery nears, buyers are able to make decisions with greater certainty. That alignment is an important driver of momentum.”

Construction Progress Strengthens Buyer Confidence

Recent sales activity follows a key construction milestone — the topping out of the building’s vertical structure. For many Sarasota buyers, especially those considering new construction, physical progress carries significant weight. Seeing a tower rise from the waterfront transforms abstract plans into a real, deliverable residence.

Kolter Urban’s track record in Sarasota and across the Southeast further reinforces that confidence. With construction advancing steadily under Moss Construction, buyers who may have paused during earlier phases of development are now returning with intent.

A Market Responding to Certainty

The timing of this surge is also notable. Sarasota’s luxury market has experienced a more measured pace over the summer months, as seasonal buyers evaluated broader economic conditions and waited for clearer signals. The renewed activity at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay suggests those signals are now being received. From the brokerage perspective, the shift is unmistakable.

“We’re seeing buyers who had been monitoring the market re-enter with purpose,” said Budge Huskey, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, which represents sales for the property. “The combination of visible construction progress, a defined delivery window, and the scarcity of true waterfront offerings of this caliber is driving action. These are highly discerning buyers, and when they move, it’s intentional.”

Rather than speculative interest, the recent contracts reflect committed purchasers responding to real-time conditions: fewer comparable opportunities, rising replacement costs, and a narrowing window to secure preferred floorplans.

Scarcity Meets Momentum

With just 78 residences planned, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay has always been a limited offering. As construction advances and inventory continues to contract, that scarcity becomes increasingly tangible.

Buyers are also responding to the project’s positioning within The Quay, Sarasota’s dynamic new waterfront district, which blends walkable access to cultural venues, dining, and marina life with the privacy and scale expected at this level of the market. Combined with expansive floorplans, elevated amenity offerings, and exclusive access to The Harbor Club, the property occupies a distinct niche that is difficult to replicate.

Importantly, the recent sales activity is not being driven by incentives or pricing adjustments. Instead, it reflects a recalibration of buyer expectations around timing and availability. “When delivery becomes predictable, the conversation shifts,” Huskey added. “It’s no longer about whether to wait — it’s about whether the right residence will still be available.”

A Signal for the Broader Market

While the activity at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay is project-specific, it may also serve as a leading indicator for the broader Sarasota luxury market. High-net-worth buyers often move first when confidence returns, and their decisions tend to ripple outward.
As construction milestones continue and the path to occupancy becomes shorter, the energy surrounding the property is expected to remain elevated. For buyers who have been considering an entry into the downtown waterfront market, the recent surge serves as a clear message: momentum is building, and opportunities are narrowing.

With delivery planned for Q4 2026 and construction advancing visibly along Sarasota Bay, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay has entered a new phase defined less by anticipation and more by action.

For those interested in learning more about the remaining residences priced from $4 million, a Presentation Gallery is located adjacent to Ocean Prime and the construction site. To schedule a private appointment, buyers are encouraged to visit TheResidencesSarasotaBay.com or call 941.499.8704 to speak with the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty sales team.