Greystar has opened the clubhouse and completed the amenity package at Melina Sarasota, its 336-unit garden-style rental community in southern Manatee County. The four-story apartment project, located at 2252 Kendrick Circle near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, is now welcoming tours and move-ins.
The opening marks a meaningful milestone for the development, which sits on roughly 17 acres near University Parkway and U.S. 301. Greystar purchased the site for $12.9 million in March 2025 and initially introduced the project under the name Marlowe Sarasota before later county filings identified it as Birchway Sarasota. The community is now operating as Melina Sarasota.
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The project adds a sizable new apartment community to the Sarasota-Bradenton corridor, an area that continues to attract residential development because of its access to downtown Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, University Town Center, and Gulf Coast beaches.
| Project Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Melina Sarasota |
| Developer | Greystar |
| Location | 2252 Kendrick Circle, southern Manatee County |
| Site Size | Approximately 17 acres |
| Unit Count | 336 apartments |
| Building Type | Garden-style rental community |
| Buildings | Six four-story residential buildings |
| Apartment Mix | 168 one-bedroom, 144 two-bedroom, and 24 three-bedroom units |
Clubhouse and amenities are now open
Greystar said the recently completed shared spaces include a resort-style swimming pool with cabanas, a 24-hour fitness studio, coworking areas with private micro-offices, a hospitality kitchen, a media lounge, a hammock garden, outdoor gathering areas, electric vehicle charging stations, and a fenced dog park.
The company also said the residential interiors include kitchens with islands and stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, plank-style flooring, screened lanais or terraces, and in-unit washers and dryers. Floor plans reportedly range from 721 to 1,286 square feet.
With the clubhouse completed, the property is now open for tours and move-ins. That puts the project into lease-up and occupancy, moving it from development status into an operating rental community.
Location gives the project access to major Sarasota-Bradenton destinations
Melina Sarasota is positioned near University Parkway, one of the area’s key east-west connectors, and close to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. From the site, residents have access to downtown Sarasota and Bradenton, as well as Lakewood Ranch and University Town Center.
The location also places the property within reach of several Gulf Coast recreation areas, including Lido Key and Anna Maria Island. For renters, that mix of roadway access, employment centers, shopping, and beach proximity remains one of the main draws of the northern Sarasota and Manatee County market.
Project background and naming history
Greystar acquired the land in March 2025 for $12.9 million and originally introduced the development as Marlowe Sarasota. The project later appeared in county filings as Birchway Sarasota before opening under the Melina Sarasota name.
That sequence reflects a pattern sometimes seen in large rental developments, where project branding evolves during planning, filings, and construction. The underlying development, however, remained the same: a 336-unit apartment community with six four-story buildings and a broad amenity package.
Greystar has not publicly disclosed additional changes to the unit mix or the project’s site plan beyond the information included in the opening announcement.
Greystar highlights local housing demand and community connection
In comments shared with the opening announcement, Greystar Managing Director David King said the project was designed to connect residents with Sarasota and Bradenton while bringing a coastal lifestyle into the community itself. The company pointed to the pool and outdoor gathering areas as part of that positioning.
The opening also coincided with a charitable partnership announcement involving Myakka Elephant Ranch, a conservation and education nonprofit based in Myakka City. Greystar said it and contributing clients raised more than $30,000 for the organization. Team members also visited the ranch on October 2, where they participated in educational activities and assisted with elephant care and meal preparation.
Myakka Elephant Ranch said the partnership helps support its conservation and education work, which centers on elephant protection and broader wildlife outreach.
Why this opening matters for the local apartment market
While Melina Sarasota is not among the largest apartment projects in South Florida, it adds a meaningful block of new rental inventory in a corridor that continues to see steady residential growth. The Sarasota-Bradenton area has benefited from spillover demand tied to job centers, regional migration, and access to coastal amenities.
For renters, the project expands choices in a market where new apartment supply has remained a major theme. For the broader development landscape, it shows that institutional developers like Greystar continue to pursue garden-style communities in locations that combine transportation access with proximity to retail and recreational destinations.
The opening of the clubhouse and completion of amenities typically signals that a project is nearing full stabilization, even if some units remain in lease-up. In this case, Melina Sarasota is now positioned to compete directly with nearby multifamily communities serving the northern Sarasota and southern Manatee County submarket.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Melina Sarasota located?
The community is located at 2252 Kendrick Circle in southern Manatee County, near University Parkway and U.S. 301.
Who developed Melina Sarasota?
Greystar developed the project.
How many units are in the community?
Melina Sarasota has 336 apartments.
What types of apartments are planned?
The project includes 168 one-bedroom units, 144 two-bedroom units, and 24 three-bedroom units.
What is the current status of the project?
The clubhouse is open, the amenity areas are complete, and the community is now open for tours and move-ins.
