new trail plaza | CASE STUDY

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Affordable housing designed around energy efficiency, accessibility, and the needs of the people who call it home.

New Trail Plaza is a new affordable housing community located at 4644 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida.

The community provides 96 affordable rental apartments, including 37 one-bedroom, 51 two-bedroom, and 8 three-bedroom homes. The development serves households within the affordable housing program's income requirements, with units available to residents ranging from 40% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

The community officially celebrated its ribbon cutting in February 2026 and is designed to provide not only affordable homes, but also services and amenities that support residents and families.

New Trail Plaza achieved NGBS Green Certification at the Silver level, recognizing its commitment to sustainable building practices.

Sustainability was a priority from the start, with the design and ownership team focused on achieving the project’s goals and incorporating those principles into the work. Rather than viewing it simply as a compliance requirement, they made it part of the overall approach to the project. 

Affordable housing projects must balance multiple priorities at once: delivering homes that are attainable while creating spaces that are comfortable, efficient, accessible, and supportive of residents' long-term well-being.

New Trail Plaza was developed on county-owned property with a long-term affordability commitment. Sarasota County reports that the property was sold with a 50-year Land Use Restriction Agreement supporting the preservation of the 96 affordable units.

The project therefore presented an opportunity to combine housing affordability with building strategies that can contribute to energy efficiency, resident comfort, and long-term value.

Community Development Reimagined supported the project's pursuit of NGBS Green Certification, helping integrate sustainable building practices into the development and supporting the project team through the certification process.

CDR's approach recognizes that green building certification can be particularly meaningful in affordable housing, where energy and resource efficiency can contribute to more sustainable homes and potentially help reduce the long-term cost burden associated with operating a home.

For New Trail Plaza, CDR's sustainability expertise supported the project's path toward NGBS Green Certified Silver.

Sustainability at New Trail Plaza extends beyond certification. The community's apartments incorporate multiple energy-efficient features, and the development provides amenities designed to support residents' daily lives, including a clubhouse, business center, activity room, playground, community-wide Wi-Fi, and more.

The development also incorporates accessibility considerations. Accessible units and reasonable accommodations are available, and the property provides for the installation of grab bars around tub/shower units at residents' request and at no charge.

These features reflect a broader understanding of sustainability, one that considers not only resource efficiency, but also the health, comfort, accessibility, and quality of life of residents.

New Trail Plaza is designed to support more than housing. The community includes services such as after-school care, student success services, and career counseling, with a particular focus on working families and households with school-age children.

Its location along North Tamiami Trail also places residents near transportation routes and services in the Sarasota area. By combining affordable homes with resident-focused amenities and services, New Trail Plaza contributes to a more comprehensive model of community development.

New Trail Plaza opened in 2026 as a 96-unit affordable housing community, providing new one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for Sarasota households.

Its NGBS Green Silver Certification adds a sustainability dimension to the project, demonstrating that affordable housing can incorporate green building strategies while remaining focused on accessibility, resident services, and community needs.

For CDR, New Trail Plaza illustrates how sustainability can support a broader goal: creating housing that is not only affordable, but healthier, more efficient, and better equipped to serve residents over the long term.

Project: New Trail Plaza
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Project Type: Affordable Multifamily Housing
Units: 96
Unit Mix: 37 one-bedroom | 51 two-bedroom | 8 three-bedroom
Affordability: 40%–80% AMI
Certification: NGBS Green Certified Silver
Opening: February 2026
CDR Role: NGBS Green Certification / Sustainability Consulting

Affordable housing and sustainable development do not have to be separate goals.

New Trail Plaza demonstrates how green building strategies can be incorporated into housing designed to serve working families and households with limited incomes, creating an opportunity to connect affordability, efficiency, accessibility, and resident well-being.