Embodying personality and excellence, Coastal Tide Construction rides the waves of true craftsmanship
As powerful and poetic as the ocean itself, Coastal Tide Construction’s (Coastal Tide) homebuilding approach is an amalgamation of rhythm, alignment and precision. An industry icon in Sarasota and Manatee County, Coastal Tide is a premier homebuilder specializing in luxury custom homes and renovations, with capabilities within the commercial construction sphere. Throughout its tenure, the company has garnered a stellar reputation for its client-centric approach and remarkable attention to detail, forming closely collaborative relationships to craft homes with passion and excellence. Whether its customers are searching for a traditional coastal design or a touch of contemporary elegance, Coastal Tide’s expert team are on hand to make homebuilding dreams come true.
With 2025 marking another strong year for Coastal Tide and the next year looking just as bright Modern Home Builders sits down with Abbie Forrest, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the business, to uncover the company’s unique approach to maintaining rhythm between its clients and construction processes. He begins by offering insight his own career background and how his passion for the craft led to the establishment of Coastal Tide.
“Coastal Tide Construction is a family-owned general contracting firm based in Sarasota, Florida. We specialize in luxury residential construction and commercial projects, bringing craftsmanship, transparency, and clear communication to every project. I started the company with the goal of building not just homes, but also lasting relationships with our clients, design partners and subcontractors,” Abbie shares. “Before founding Coastal Tide Construction, I partnered in another construction firm, gaining valuable experience in both field operations and project management. I always envisioned leading my own company – one built on honesty, integrity, and communication. That vision, paired with my passion for building and problem solving, led me to launch Coastal Tide Construction.
“Over the years, our reputation has grown thanks to our commitment to integrity and attention to detail,” he continues. “Our focus is on custom luxury homes and substantial renovations across Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Boca Grande, and surrounding areas. On the commercial side, we’ve delivered projects ranging from high-end restaurants to 20 story condominium renovations for HOAs. While we don’t restrict ourselves to a single style, our portfolio spans modern waterfront estates to timeless coastal retreats in the luxury residential market. What unites them is the level of detail, craftsmanship, and our ability to take on challenging builds that require careful planning, architectural integration and close collaboration with designers.”
More than just a name, Coastal Tide’s homebuilding process metaphorically mirrors the formation of the tides with the construction of the perfect home. It all begins with the ‘pull’ of the clients’ visions; like the alignment of the sun and moon in pulling the tides, Coastal Tide begins all projects by aligning the clients’ ideas with their budget and required timeline. Next comes the foundation and groundwork, the rising tide where the project gains momentum and the excitement begins to build, all leading up to ‘crest of the wave’, or the project’s ‘peak’ where the main structure and framework start to take shape. With the outer ‘skeleton’ complete, the home starts to spring to life, leading onto the next stage in Coastal Tide’s process: the finishing touches and refinement of smaller details. Like the intricate details left behind by waves on the shore, this phase is one of true artistry, where the company works closely with the customer to ensure that their home embodies their personality and character, making for a final product that’s truly one of a kind. Abbie highlights a couple of recent projects that showcase the best of Coastal Tide’s capabilities.
“Recently in Sarasota, we completed a 7,800-square-foot retreat that truly embodies luxury living,” he enthuses. “The home features soaring 26-foot ceilings in the great room, creating an impressive sense of volume and natural light. The kitchen was designed as the heart of the home, blending high-performance functionality with sculptural beauty, from professional-grade appliances to custom millwork and oversized slabs for the island and counters. One of the showpieces of the project is the custom closet and dressing area, which includes temperature-controlled fur storage, runway-style lighting, glass doors, and a dramatic three-way mirror at the end of the gallery, more akin to a boutique fashion house than a residential space.
“In Boca Grande, we’ve broken ground on a 7,000-square-foot residence on a cul-de-sac corner lot with sweeping water views and an infinity-edge pool designed to blend seamlessly with the ocean horizon. Another highlight is a private 9,000 square-foot equestrian compound, a walled estate created for family living, complete with splash pools, pickleball courts, and a balance of indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces.”
With its portfolio boasting a plethora of beautiful luxury homes and its customer base growing year upon year, Coastal Tide has built quite the legacy. When Modern Home Builders asked Abbie what factors he feels have contributed to the longevity and success of the company, his response clearly highlights the culture of excellence that Coastal Tide has fostered.
“Our success comes down to three things: communication, accountability and quality,” Abbie reveals. “We are transparent with clients from day one, ensuring expectations are clear. We also honor our word, something that’s increasingly rare in this industry. Finally, we never compromise on craftsmanship. Those principles have built trust with both clients and design partners, which is why we continue to grow primarily through referrals and repeat business.”
Making memories
Upholding this strong ethos, it’s clear that the sun shines brightly on the future of Coastal Tide. With further growth on the horizon, the company is well-positioned to grant more homebuilding wishes further into the future, all whilst maintaining the high standards of integrity, passion and care that continue to define the Coastal Tide name.
“The remainder of 2025 and early 2026 is shaping up to be very strong. We’re breaking ground on our largest waterfront project to date, whilst also completing several notable renovations in Sarasota and Siesta Key. Our pipeline is robust, and we’re investing in new tools, technology, and staff development to ensure we continue to deliver at the highest level,” Abbie affirms. “Further ahead, we see Coastal Tide Construction continuing to be a leader in high-end residential construction in Sarasota and surrounding areas. Growth will be measured and intentional, ensuring we never lose the personal touch that defines us. Just as important, we’re committed to fostering a culture where employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. Above all, we want to remain known as a builder that honors its word and consistently exceeds client expectations.
“At Coastal Tide Construction, we don’t just build houses, we create places where families make memories for generations,” Abbie finishes. “Every project is an opportunity to leave a positive mark, not only on the home but also in the relationships we form along the way. That’s what drives us every day, anchored in quality and driven by design.”