Private club for fine cars and wine proposed for Sarasota's Rosemary District

A local property owner has requested a meeting with city officials in a first step toward development of an "exclusive venue" in downtown Sarasota where "enthusiasts can enjoy their passion for fine cars and wine" in the Rosemary District.

Timothy Ng, who owns the property at 1374 5th Way, said he sees a need for the private club centered on cars, calling his vision a "functionally beautiful space that will bring value to the city."

Joel Freedman, a consultant for Ng Development, described the private club as a five-story commercial building that will include a variety of spaces designed for the members' car collections.

The property would include car elevators to place cars throughout the building; including the possibility of displaying the vehicles on the roof, although that detail has not been finalized.

Downtown Sarasota private car club

Members would be able to store other "well-earned treasures" like fine wines and cigars in lockers at the private club that could be enjoyed on premises. The property would not sell food or alcohol but there would be space for events.

Ng, a Sarasota resident for more than a decade, said he's seen the city go through recent growing pains with a condo boom, but noted the explosion in building projects has caused some residents concern as tall buildings seemingly sprouted over a wide area.

Freedman's request for a "pre-application" meeting noted the developer would be seeking a special exception for the minor conditional use of a private club in the downtown edge zone district.

Developer says club plan won't be rushed

The developer stressed that he is for "smart development" in Sarasota while also noting that the property had previously been sought after for condo development. He said he thought some condo development in town has been on smaller lots than appropriate, including previous projects proposed on the quarter-acre lot he bought last year.

"Where others have attempted to place residential usage at this location, we believe our project offers a niche space that has value to our unique demographic," he said in the request for a meeting with city officials.

Ng said he submitted the meeting request now because he believes the development window remains open in Sarasota, but that he's also not going to rush the project until it is ready.

"It will come out when it comes out," he said. "I want this to be a well thought of in the community and something people will enjoy."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Downtown Sarasota proposal could calls for club for car enthusiasts