1221 First Street

1221 First Street

On a compact fifty-by-one-hundred-five-foot parcel in downtown Sarasota, Halflants + Pichette designed a five-story condominium that fits seamlessly into the city’s primary street network. The project includes five residential units above concealed parking, showing how small sites can deliver meaningful urban density while maintaining comfort and walkability. The design demonstrates a careful balance between architectural expression, human scale, and efficient use of space.

The building fronts First Street with a covered entry, a dramatic two-story lobby, and a small fitness room for residents. Parking and mechanical systems are fully hidden from view and accessed from the alley to preserve a clean, active streetscape. The residential levels above are organized around a U-shaped courtyard that introduces light and greenery into every unit, bringing a sense of openness to a constrained infill lot.

URBAN INFILL AND LIGHT-FILLED LIVING

A Gumbo Limbo tree anchors the central courtyard, providing shade and a visual focal point within the heart of the building. Elevated planters and landscaped areas at the right-of-way soften the transition between architecture and street life, strengthening the pedestrian connection along First Street. Balconies that project four feet above the sidewalk add rhythm, shadow, and variation to the façade, ensuring that the building contributes to the texture of the downtown environment.

First Street Condominiums illustrates Halflants + Pichette’s expertise in Sarasota multi-family residential architecture and their ability to design at the intersection of livability and density. Through thoughtful proportion, hidden infrastructure, and landscaped integration, the project enhances Sarasota’s downtown fabric while setting a precedent for refined, small-scale infill development.