Auto dealer buys land for growth

SARASOTA — Sunset Automotive Group purchased the 10-acre former Sarasota Springfest grounds in Palmer Ranch for $2.67 million.

The price equated to $267,608 per acre.

The property is on Sawyer Loop Road, south of Clark Road in Sarasota County. Springfest used the site for an annual event from 2008 to 2010, according to permit records.

The automotive group, according to a revised site plan, acquired the property to create a 27,274-square-foot body shop and a 9,032-square-foot auction building to support new Audi and Infiniti dealerships nearby on Clark Road. Sunset Automotive Group received permits in February to construct buildings for the two dealerships, Coast Infiniti and Audi of Sarasota.

Clark Road is popular for auto dealerships. Other dealerships on Clark include Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota, Wilde Lexus of Sarasota, Gettel Acura, BMW of Sarasota and Lamborghini Sarasota.

Sunset Automotive Group owns more than a dozen auto dealerships. Brands include Cadillac, Porsche, Subaru, Kia and Volvo.