Sarasota's Marson Group buys vacant Venice land

BUYER: Nokomis Ventures Inc., (principals David Gruber and Robert Martin) Bradenton

SELLER: Peoples Federal Savings Bank

PROPERTY: 437 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice

PRICE: $450,000

PREVIOUS PRICE: $1.8 million, February 2005

LAW FIRM ON DEED: Law Office of Andrew W. Rosin PA, Sarasota

PLANS, DESCRIPTION: Sarasota-based Marson Group Inc. purchased 1.83 acres between Nokomis Avenue South and Calle Central in downtown Venice for $450,000.

The price equated to $245,639 per acre.

David Gruber and Robert Martin are the local developers behind the firm that bought the property. A nursing home that once stood on it has been demolished.

The property is currently approved for a 26-unit residential development. “We are possibly going to do a mixed-use project there with a little residential,” Martin says. “Maybe we'll put some medical or professional office space there.”

The owners were attracted to the property because of its location near Venice Regional Medical Center and its low price.

Martin expects zoning changes and planning approvals to delay development of the site by a year.

Ian Black and Stephen Horn with Ian Black Real Estate handled the transaction.