The Flex
The Flex
The Flex is a four-story mixed-use development in downtown Sarasota designed by Halflants + Pichette. The project combines multi-family residential architecture with street-level commercial activity to enhance walkability and strengthen the urban fabric of the neighborhood. Located at 414 North Lime Avenue, the building includes one hundred thirty-one residential units and nearly twelve thousand square feet of retail and office space. Along Lime Avenue and Aspinwall Street, shops and live-work lofts line the ground floor, creating an active, pedestrian-oriented frontage.
A secured parking garage is placed discreetly behind the commercial spaces and partially below grade, allowing the residential program to remain the primary focus. Above, three U-shaped courtyards provide light, air, and green space for residents. These landscaped areas are framed by three-story pergolas that introduce rhythm and shade while reinforcing the project’s architectural character. Shared amenities include a swimming pool, dog park, fitness center, clubhouse, lawn game areas, and private gardens. Ground-level residences feature fourteen-foot ceilings and direct access to the courtyards, blending urban living with privacy and outdoor connection.
URBAN BALANCE IN DOWNTOWN SARASOTA
The site’s zoning allowed for a five-story structure, but Halflants + Pichette chose a consistent four-story design to respect the scale of the surrounding neighborhood. This decision ensures a smooth transition between the city’s downtown core and adjacent residential areas while maximizing density and livability. The balanced massing, generous setbacks, and active street edges make The Flex an integrated part of Sarasota’s growing downtown environment.
By merging commercial and residential architecture, The Flex demonstrates how thoughtful design can contribute to both community life and economic vitality. The development brings together housing, retail, and shared amenities within one cohesive framework. As Sarasota architects, Halflants + Pichette continue to shape projects that reinforce the city’s identity through walkable, people-centered design. The Flex stands as a model for how mixed-use development can serve both neighborhood character and urban growth.
