TAMPA, FL—You read a lot about Publix- and Winn Dixie-anchored shopping centers trading. Now, a Whole Foods Market Centre is making headlines.

Consolidated-Tomoka Land acquired the Sarasota, FL Whole Foods Market Centre for $19.1 million. The 59,341-square-foot retail center sits on 3.94 acres at 1451 First Street in Downtown Sarasota.

Mike Milano and Ron Schultz of Colliers International Tampa Bay and Cynthia Shelton and Kane Morris-Webster of Colliers International Central Florida, represented the seller, Casto-Zenith Venture. The multi-tenant retail asset includes Starbucks and other small shops located on the ground floor of a condominium development, as well as a freestanding Whole Foods Market.

“This was a tremendous opportunity to acquire a high-end, mixed-use investment in the heart of Downtown Sarasota, anchored by highly sought-after Whole Foods Market and Starbucks,” says Schultz. “The greatest investor demand right now is for grocery-anchored neighborhood centers, especially Whole Foods-anchored centers.”

Colliers brokers attribute the success of the retail property to a strong location that supports a mix of restaurants, high-end retail specialty shops and the Whole Foods Market. About 500 new residential units are expected to come online in this residential market in the next 36 to 48 months.

“Consolidated-Tomoka primarily purchases freestanding net-leased properties,” says Milano. “However, this center is a unique trophy asset, and the buyer decided the property's position and attributes justified a slight departure from its typical acquisition criteria.”

Consolidated could not immediately be reached for comment on the deal. We will update this story if we receive additional information.