St. Armands Circle History

St. Armands Circle began as a dream of John and Mable Ringling, the circus magnates who made Sarasota their winter home in the early 20th century. The vision was for an upscale residential and shopping district that could serve as a commercial hub for the well-heeled visitors and residents of the area. The Ringlings transported all the building materials for the original planned community via a paddle-wheel steamboat called “Success,” then had a bridge built to connect St. Armands Key and Bird Key to the Sarasota mainland in 1926.

Today, St. Armands Circle continues the Ringlings’ vision as a premier destination for arts, dining, shopping, and recreation. With over 130 stores and restaurants located within walking distance of each other on the Circle, St. Armands has retained its exclusive Old-World charm since opening to the world. 

Circle Park and the surrounding pedestrian promenades feature many of the Ringlings’ original statues, which were carefully restored in 2008 after a grassroots campaign sought to return them to their original splendor. Visitors and residents alike have come to revere the Circle for its preservation of Sarasota’s arts and circus history, with a Circus Ring of Fame honoring over 150 of the most influential performers and executives who helped produce the Greatest Show on Earth. 

Located a short walk from the crystal blue waters of Lido Beach—another historic area noted for its exemplary Mid-Century Modern architecture—St. Armands Circle truly is the embodiment of the upscale, tropical lifestyle that has defined the region for nearly 100 years.

Explore The Circle

St. Armands Circle is home to some interesting history. Home to more than 140 upscale boutiques, award-winning restaurants, posh art galleries, and more in an open-air European-inspired setting, St. Armands Circle is said to be the jewel of Sarasota.

Getting Here

St. Armands Circle branches off into different directions with the shops on the outside of the circle:

• To the north, State Road 789, which goes to Longboat Key
• ‍John Ringling Boulevard to the east, which goes to the city of Sarasota and intersects U.S. 41, which heads north to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
• ‍Lido Key and Lido Beach, to the south

Circle Park

The charming green park in the center of the circle is a perfect place to relax in between a full day of shopping and dining.

Statue Walk

The Circle also features a statue walk that features works originally purchased by John Ringling. Ringling's love of fine art inspired The Save Our Statues project, which was undertaken in 2007 and completed in early 2008. Additional beautification efforts, including on-going maintenance of the statues and landscaping, are generally consistent with John Ringling’s 1920s landscape plans.

Circus Ring of Fame

St. Armands Circle is also home to the Circus Ring of Fame. Over 150 large bronze plaques encircle the park with the names and histories of performing artists and influential executives recognized for achievements in circus arts and culture.

Parking Information

There are many marked and unmarked spaces available for on-street parking.  In St. Armands, the most notable time restrictions are in the adjacent neighborhoods. Extended use of public parking in neighborhoods is not intended, and therefore, a time restriction of one hour (1), Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., is in effect. Time restrictions exclude city holidays and Sundays.

Please be sure to observe and comply with all posted signs and be aware of parking laws, which are not always posted.

Located on North and South Boulevard of the Presidents, a block from the Circle, the city provides nearly 200 free and unrestricted parking spaces. These spaces are a short walk from Madison Drive to the north and Monroe Drive to the south. Click here for more information about public parking options. 

Bay Runner Trolley

The Bay Runner is a new, open-air trolley that provides complimentary service seven days a week until midnight, with multiple stops along the way between Lido Key, St. Armands Circle, and downtown Sarasota.

The Bay Runner allows visitors and residents alike the chance to conveniently combine the elegant beachside feel of St. Armands Circle with the more metropolitan sophistication of downtown Sarasota.

Relax and forget the hassle of parking when you ride the Bay Runner. Experience the sights and sounds of the open-air trolley while the Bay Runner allows you to live more and drive less. With convenient and frequent service between downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, and Lido Beach, three world-class destinations are connected into one cohesive opportunity for dining, nightlife, arts, leisure, and recreation.

Enjoy dinner downtown, capped off by an open-air ride across the bay for sunset, or finish off a day at the beach with a quick ride downtown to catch a show. The possibilities are endless with the Bay Runner.