Plymouth Harbor Master Planning

Independent living was the primary focus of the master plan, which had to address programming goals on a tight, waterfront site with significant entitlement restrictions.

Plymouth Harbor had been contemplating the addition of an independent living apartment tower on its property for some time. A multi-disciplined planning team of development consultant, civil engineer/land planner, architect, interior designer and construction advisor collaborated on a master planning study. Financial and marketing consultants also participated in the multi-step process which included a series of focus groups and a one-and-a-half-day design charrette.

The final master plan introduces a new 12-story building that respects the existing tower and creates a “Z” shape, thereby reducing the mass of the building as viewed from all directions. The master plan also considered updates for the existing tower. This resulted in plans to renovate a portion of the second, third and fourth floors to accommodate amenities and provide a seamless connection to the new building. Other master planned updates include neighborhood gathering rooms (called colony rooms) on each floor and a dining venue on the plaza level that incorporates outdoor dining and activities.

Project Highlights

Client:
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay

Location:
Sarasota, FL

Services:
Master Planning

Type:
Independent Living

Community Spaces

Plymouth Harbor is less than a mile away from the Sarasota Yacht Club and the bustling boutiques of St. Armands Circle.

Waterfront Community

Senior Living

Built on one of Sarasota’s islands, Plymouth Harbor offers waterfront senior living just off the Florida mainland.

A unique life plan community, Plymouth Harbor was originally built in the 1960s in the mid-century modern design style of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Local architect Frank Folsom Smith favored clean lines, simple materials and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. The 25-story apartment tower remains the tallest building in Sarasota today thanks to a height restriction enacted following its construction.

Master Planning

Concept Studies

The new building includes three floors of parking. Direct access and visitor surface parking are also included so the current main entry is not burdened by the impact of the new apartments being added. Conceptual plans envision 153 new apartments with an average size of 1,700 square feet. Connectivity to the main level of the existing building is provided via an auditorium.