The DeSota — Resident Reviews, Pros & Cons
Downtown Sarasota, Sarasota, FL · What renters actually say about living here, distilled from public reviews. Updated Jul 2026.
Neighborhood
Downtown Sarasota
Address
1415 2nd St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Floor plans
1BR–3BR
Advertised rents
$2,450–$3,900 (as of 2026-07, per public listings)
Year built
2017
Pet friendly
Yes
Website
What residents like
- ✓Residents love the walk-to-everything downtown location, a couple of blocks from Main Street and the bayfront
- ✓On-site office and maintenance staff draw repeated praise by name for fast, personal service
- ✓An active social calendar and events program gives the 10-story building a genuine community feel
- ✓Modern interiors with floor-to-ceiling glass and city or bay views are frequently highlighted
- ✓Rooftop pool deck is a favorite amenity in reviews
Common complaints
- ✕Longer-term residents report frustration with corporate ownership changes, including hardball lease-renewal pricing and units relisted for less after move-outs
- ✕Reviewers describe stretches where upkeep slipped — dirty garage, windows, and hallways that took months of complaints to address
- ✕Some report security lapses such as broken garage gates and lobby doors going unfixed for weeks
- ✕Complaints include cheaper-than-expected unit finishes and kitchens without exhaust venting
- ✕Several feel the building is overpriced compared with neighboring towers
Our take
The DeSota is a 188-unit, 10-story tower in the heart of downtown Sarasota that trades on location and lifestyle — walkable to Main Street, the bayfront, and the theater district. Day-to-day staff earn consistently warm reviews, while criticism centers on corporate management decisions and stretches of inconsistent building upkeep. Best suited to renters who prioritize downtown walkability and a social building over maximum value per square foot.
Amenities
Rooftop saltwater pool and spaFitness centerYoga studio with virtual classesClubroom and covered lanai with firepitAir-conditioned bike storage and repair roomGuest apartmentValet waste collectionAttached retail and diningFloor-to-ceiling windows
About these pros & cons
How we build these pages: we read publicly available resident reviews (Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, Reddit and similar) for each community and summarize the recurring themes in our own words. We don't copy review text, we don't display star ratings we didn't compute, and no complex has paid to appear or to have anything removed. Cons reflect what residents report — experiences vary. Rent ranges come from public listings and change often; always confirm current pricing, fees and policies with the property directly.