University Town Center’s restaurant lineup continues to grow, with another upscale concept choosing Sarasota for its first Tampa Bay location.

BrickTop’s, a Nashville-based American bistro specializing in steaks, seafood, sushi and cocktails, plans to open a new restaurant at 55 N. Cattlemen Road within the University Town Center district.

The approximately 7,500-square-foot restaurant is targeting a mid-to-late summer 2027 opening.

Its arrival adds another higher-end dining concept to a rapidly expanding collection of restaurants, retailers and entertainment businesses transforming UTC into one of Southwest Florida’s largest commercial destinations.

BrickTop’s Expands Its Florida Footprint

BrickTop’s was founded in 2006 and operates upscale restaurants in several markets across the Southeast.

Its menu combines traditional American steakhouse offerings with seafood, sushi, sandwiches and brunch. Existing Florida locations include Naples, Miramar Beach and the Palm Beach area, with additional expansion underway.

The Sarasota restaurant will give BrickTop’s access to the growing customer base surrounding University Parkway and Interstate 75 while establishing the brand’s first location in the greater Tampa Bay region.

UTC Continues Building Its Restaurant District

BrickTop’s joins a growing collection of restaurants opening or planned around UTC.

Recent additions include concepts such as Blu Kouzina, Yūgen and Just Salad, while additional restaurants including Olivia and On Swann are planned along Cattlemen Road.

University Town Center now includes more than 200 retailers and over 80 dining options, creating a commercial district that extends well beyond the traditional enclosed mall.

The area’s restaurant growth is particularly notable.

Instead of relying exclusively on national mall restaurants, UTC is increasingly attracting chef-driven, regional and upscale concepts capable of drawing customers independently of the shopping centers surrounding them.

Lakewood Ranch Growth Strengthens the Trade Area

The continued expansion of UTC is closely connected to residential growth east of Interstate 75.

Lakewood Ranch has become one of the country’s most active master-planned communities, adding thousands of residents and expanding the affluent customer base surrounding University Parkway.

At the same time, UTC draws customers from Sarasota, Bradenton and communities throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

That combination gives restaurants access to both an established regional population and rapidly growing suburban communities.

For upscale concepts like BrickTop’s, those demographics can be particularly attractive.

From Shopping Center to Regional Destination

The BrickTop’s announcement also demonstrates how University Town Center continues to evolve.

What began primarily as a collection of shopping centers surrounding University Parkway has developed into a much broader commercial district incorporating retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, entertainment and other uses.

Additional investment is continuing.

Furniture retailers IKEA and West Elm are among the brands headed to the area, while new restaurants continue filling locations throughout the district.

Each addition strengthens UTC’s ability to attract visitors who may come for dinner, entertainment or services rather than traditional shopping.

That evolution is increasingly important as successful retail districts compete by creating experiences that cannot easily be replicated online.

Another Brand Bets on Sarasota-Bradenton

BrickTop’s decision to establish its first Tampa Bay-area restaurant at UTC reinforces the district’s growing position within Florida’s retail landscape.

Sarasota-Bradenton continues attracting national and regional brands looking to capitalize on population growth, strong household incomes and continued residential development.

University Town Center sits directly in the middle of that growth.

With BrickTop’s, Olivia, On Swann and other concepts on the way, the district is increasingly developing a concentration of restaurants capable of making UTC a dining destination in its own right.

For commercial real estate, that creates a reinforcing cycle.

More residents support more restaurants and retailers. More restaurants and retailers increase traffic to the district. And stronger traffic makes surrounding commercial property more attractive for additional investment.

BrickTop’s may be one restaurant, but its decision to enter UTC is another indication of the larger transformation underway along the University Parkway corridor.

As Sarasota and Manatee counties continue growing, University Town Center is increasingly positioning itself as the commercial center connecting the two markets.

ExtendedReach USA covers commercial real estate, development, infrastructure and economic growth throughout Florida and the Southeast.