Discovering Sarasota with Etta: The Stories Behind Two Historic Hotels

By Etta Carter

After church one Sunday, I decided to spend the afternoon exploring two remarkable places that tell very different stories about Sarasota's past and its future.

Although I've lived and worked in this beautiful area for years, I realized there is still so much left to discover. As a Realtor, I help people find homes every day, but I also believe that finding the right community is just as important. Every neighborhood has a story. Every historic building has a purpose. Every local business adds something special to the people who call Sarasota home.

That afternoon marked the beginning of a new journey of discovery—one that I hope to continue sharing through this series.

My first stop was the Colson Hotel.

Standing in front of the building, I couldn't help but think about the lives that passed through its doors nearly one hundred years ago. Business travelers. Families. Entertainers. Professionals. Visitors arriving in Sarasota with dreams, plans, and stories of their own.

Built in 1926, the Colson Hotel became much more than a place to stay. During segregation, it welcomed Black travelers who were often denied accommodations elsewhere. It became a place of hospitality, community, and dignity.

Today, the Colson is beginning a new chapter. Rather than returning as a hotel, it is being thoughtfully preserved as a place where history, culture, and community will come together. Plans include museum space that will share the story of the Colson and Sarasota's African American heritage, along with space for local businesses and entrepreneurs. It is a meaningful way to honor the past while continuing to serve the community for generations to come.

As I walked around the property and read the historical displays, one question stayed with me.

If the Colson welcomed travelers who could not stay elsewhere...

...where were everyone else staying?

As I left the Colson, I found myself thinking about another historic landmark just a few miles away.

The Mira Mar.  

The week before, I attended a broker presentation introducing Mira Mar Residences. Hearing about the vision for the project inspired me to see the historic building for myself. 

Standing in front of it gave me a much greater appreciation for the thoughtful balance between preserving history and embracing the future.

Originally developed in the early 1920s, the Mira Mar Apartments and the former Mira Mar Hotel played an important role in Sarasota's growth during Florida's land boom. Today, Seaward Development is preserving the landmark's historic Palm Avenue façade and significant architectural character while integrating it into a completely new residential community featuring two luxury condominium towers with a total of 72 private residences.

As I stood there looking at the building, another thought crossed my mind.

These two hotels were built during the same remarkable era of growth.

They stood only a few miles apart.

Yet they reflected two very different experiences of life in Sarasota during the 1920s.

One welcomed visitors drawn to Sarasota's growing reputation as a premier Florida destination.

The other welcomed travelers who, because of segregation, found acceptance and hospitality there when other doors were closed.

That simple observation sparked a question I hope to answer in a future article.

What was life like in Sarasota during the 1920s? How did these two landmarks serve different communities? And what can they teach us about how Sarasota has grown over the past century?

Sometimes the best discoveries begin with questions.

Neither building tells Sarasota's complete story on its own.

Together, they help us better understand the city that Sarasota was while reminding us how far we've come and how important it is to preserve every chapter of our shared history.

As I continued my afternoon, something unexpected happened.

Across the street from the Mira Mar, I noticed a restaurant called Waffle Monkey.

I almost kept walking.

Since I avoid dairy, I assumed there wouldn't be much for me to enjoy. To my surprise, I discovered they offer vegan waffles as well as gluten free options.

Even more meaningful was meeting Salina, who warmly welcomed me, and Pete, the owner.

Pete shared that he has celiac disease, which inspired him to create a place where people with gluten sensitivities could enjoy great food without compromise.

Immediately, I thought about my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, who both eat gluten free. Before I even left the restaurant, I knew this would become one of the places I'd bring them when they visit Sarasota for Christmas.

It reminded me that discovering a city isn't only about historic landmarks.

It's about the people.

It's about conversations.

It's about finding local businesses that care deeply about their customers.

It's about creating memories that make a place feel like home.

As I reflected on both landmarks, it occurred to me that neither was being forgotten.

Instead, each is beginning a new chapter.

Their futures may look very different, but both projects reflect a shared commitment to preserving an important part of Sarasota's story.

The Colson will continue serving the community through education, culture, and local businesses.

The Mira Mar will welcome a new generation of residents while preserving one of downtown Sarasota's most recognizable historic landmarks.

Neither project recreates the past exactly as it was.

Instead, each finds a thoughtful way to carry its history into the future.

As a Realtor, people often ask me about neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, and homes. Those things certainly matter.

But I believe there's something equally important.

Every community has a story.

The more we understand that story, the more connected we become to the place we call home.

Today's journey reminded me that Sarasota isn't defined by one landmark, one neighborhood, or one chapter of history.

Its story is found in all of them.

I hope you'll join me as we continue discovering the people, places, history, and hidden gems that make this community so special.

Because sometimes, the best way to discover where you're going...

...is to first understand where you've been.

Etta's Discoveries

Historic Landmarks

• The Colson Hotel (1926) – A landmark being preserved as a cultural destination featuring museum space and opportunities for local businesses.
• The Mira Mar Apartments & Former Mira Mar Hotel (1920s) – A historic Sarasota landmark whose iconic architectural character will be preserved as part of Mira Mar Residences, a new luxury condominium community.

Local Discovery

Waffle Monkey

One of the unexpected highlights of my afternoon was discovering Waffle Monkey. As someone who avoids dairy, I was pleasantly surprised to find vegan waffles and gluten-free options. Meeting Pete, the owner, and learning how his own experience with celiac disease inspired the menu made the visit even more meaningful.

A Question I'm Exploring

How did the Colson Hotel and the Mira Mar each influence Sarasota's growth during the 1920s, and what do their stories reveal about the evolution of our city over the past century?

What Should We Discover Next?

Every neighborhood has a story waiting to be told.

I hope you'll join me as we continue discovering the places, people, history, local businesses, and hidden gems that make Sarasota such an extraordinary place to live.

Beyond the Fairways: When You See It, You Know

 

There is a moment in real estate that cannot be manufactured.

It cannot be staged.
It cannot be written into a description.
It simply happens.

And when it does… everyone in the room feels it.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hosting a Private Broker Preview inside one of Sarasota’s most distinguished private golf communities, The Founders Golf Club.

A curated group of luxury agents gathered.
Experienced professionals. Individuals who have walked through hundreds of homes.

And yet… the reaction was the same.

Pause.
Look around.
Take it in again.

More than once, I heard the same question:

"When was this home built?"

Not because it felt dated.
But because it felt brand new.

This residence, originally built in 2017, has been thoughtfully elevated in all the ways that matter.

Fresh interior and exterior paint that brightens and refines every space.
A reimagined outdoor kitchen and terrace designed for both quiet evenings and meaningful gatherings.
A level of care and preparation that is immediately felt, not explained.

Set on nearly two thirds of an acre, the home offers layered views of water and golf, framed by mature landscape and open sky.

Four bedrooms.
Four and a half baths.
A private casita.

But as we know… it is never just about the numbers.

During the preview, something else became clear.

The very idea explored in Beyond the Fairways was no longer a concept.

It was visible.

The setting was not simply surrounding the home.
It was defining it.

The openness.
The privacy.
The way the light moved across the terrace.
The quiet presence of the course beyond.

It created a feeling that cannot be replicated in denser, more crowded environments.

What made the moment even more meaningful was the presence of the Membership Director of The Founders Golf Club, who shared insight into the lifestyle available within the community.

Not just golf.
But connection.
Exclusivity.
A rhythm of living that feels both intentional and unforced.

For some, membership enhances the experience.
For others, the setting alone is enough.

Either way, the value is undeniable.

This is what today’s luxury buyer is seeking.

Not just a home.
Not just a location.

A feeling.

A sense of arrival.
A sense of rightness.

There are homes that show well.

And then there are homes that confirm everything.

When you see it, you know.

If you are considering a move into a private golf community, or simply want to understand what truly sets certain properties apart, I would be honored to guide you.

Because in the end, it is not just about finding a home.

It is about recognizing the one that was always meant for you.

Luxury Service | Elevated Experience

Buying and Selling is Betta with Etta