SARASOTA, Florida – Harry E. Robbins & Associates, Sarasota’s premier real estate property specialists, announce the $13.75 million sale of the manufacturing complex at 7110 21st St. in Whitfield Estates. Builders FirstSource (BFS) purchased the 9.88-acre, three-building property to be the site of its expanded operations and primary distribution center. Kevin Robbins handled the transaction for Robbins & Associates, and Gavin Oberlin of Legacy Commercial Connection of KW Commercial was the co-listing agent. Robbins, in conjunction with Keller Williams, represented seller Rodney Dessberg.
“The sale is important as it speaks to the strength of the industrial market,” said Robbins. “It also signifies the continued expectation for building in the Florida market. BFS is a home building supply company making a very large investment in the Manatee-Sarasota market.”
Currently zoned for heavy manufacturing, the property was originally developed in 1964 by boat manufacturer Donzi Marine, which occupied the facility until the company relocated in 2010. Rodney Dessberg purchased the property in 2015 and oversaw extensive renovations to the two existing buildings, totaling 130,877 square feet of manufacturing space, and to the surrounding infrastructure. Dessberg also built a third structure totaling 10,000 square feet of new office space.
The west side of the premises borders an active Seminole Gulf Railway line, and the facility is located a quarter mile from Highway 301 and convenient to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (two miles to the south), Interstate 75 (4.5 miles east) and Port Manatee (18 miles north).
The property had been on the market for two years. After BFS expressed interest, the sale progressed quickly.
“The size and the scale of this industrial asset transaction emphasizes the strength and continued growth in the industrial market around the Sarasota-Manatee area,” said Oberlin, the co-listing agent. “And the purchase by BFS shows that large national companies are following the national trend by moving operations to the Sarasota-Manatee market.”
About 7110 21st St., Sarasota
7110 21st Street E is a 132,000-square-foot, three-building property on a 9.88-acre lot zoned for heavy manufacturing with expansion potential for an additional building area. The property boasts multiple high-ton-capacity cranes, rail access, 1,600 amp 3-Phase power, compressed air lines throughout manufacturing spaces, and 10,000 square feet of office space. Ceiling height 22 feet.
About Harry E. Robbins Associates Inc.
Founded in 1971, Harry E. Robbins Associates Inc. is Sarasota County’s longest established real estate firm under the same family ownership. Recent prominent commercial properties handled by the firm include the 2019 sale of Main Plaza ($20 million), the 2021 sale of Bath & Racquet Club ($15 million), and the 2022 sale of the Park District Assemblage ($38 Million). The firm is currently handling the management of the mixed-use project at Aster, 1991 Main Street. Now in its 52nd year, Robbins Real Estate is proud to have a team with an extensive history in the Sarasota market and an unparalleled level of service and communication. For more information: robbinscommerical.com or robbinsresidential.com.
About Builders FirstSource
Builders FirstSource is the nation’s largest supplier of structural building products, value-added components and services to the professional market for new residential construction and repair and remodeling. Formed in 1998 and publicly traded on the NYSE (BLDR), Builders FirstSource has more than 550 distribution and manufacturing locations, a presence in 42 states and 86 of the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. For more information: bldr.com