Ft. Myers Development News

[Lakelander]

Great update & pics. This thread is going to get pretty cool with a Fort Myers forumer on here.

[renner01]

Builder named

Kraft Construction Co. Inc. has been named the builder for Jasmine Bay, a new high-rise community at West Bay Club in Estero that is being developed as a collaboration of West Bay Club Development Corp. and Indian Hill Partners Inc. The firm is responsible for providing general contracting and construction management services for Jasmine Bay. At its completion, Jasmine Bay will consist of two 19-story high-rises, each containing more than 100 residences each. The floor plan collection is base-priced from the $400s and will range from 1,745 to 4,260 square feet of living space. Jasmine Bay at West Bay Club is one mile west of U.S. 41 on Williams Road in Estero. The sales center is at 22050 U.S. 41 S. on the corner of U.S. 41 and Williams Road.
_____________________________________
West Bay Announces Plans For Jasmine Bay

Read More About West Bay Club

West Bay Club
Estero, Florida
ESTERO, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2004)- West Bay Club a collaboration of West Bay Club Development Corporation and Indian Hill Partners Incorporated has announced plans for Jasmine Bay, a high-rise community consisting of two 19-story high-rises, each containing over 100 residences of chic Gulf Coast charm.

Jasmine Bay will provide an array of typical floor plans ranging in size from approximately 1,745 to 2,325 square feet of living space, in addition to five penthouse designs ranging in size from approximately 3,155 to 4,260 square feet of living space. The floor plan collection is base priced from the $400s and includes expansive great rooms, radiant terraces, and exquisite features.

Amenities will feature a Porte´ Cochere entry, with each building containing two one-bedroom guest suites, a shared resort-style pool with spa, fitness and workout rooms, card rooms, a large club room with a kitchen and bar, a resident manager, and security desk.
Jasmine Bay residents will also have the opportunity to enjoy the magnitude of amenities offered to those living within West Bay Club. The River Park located on the Estero Bay includes a day boat launch, canoe and kayak racks, fishing pier, lighted basketball court, children¹s playground, all-purpose sports field, organic butterfly and hummingbird garden and a 1.5 mile, 12-station Vita course.

The expansive Bay House contains a grill and bar and a spacious card and reading room with an enclosed verandah. Features include a fitness center with the latest workout equipment, massage rooms and personal training room, six lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, children¹s pool, poolside cabana, and a covered spa.

The Golf House, scheduled for completion in Spring 2005, is dramatically situated so that it overlooks holes one, nine and eighteen. The Golf House will feature a spacious restaurant and bar, a separate more intimate dining room for special occasions, a verandah, men¹s and women¹s lounges, locker rooms, and steam showers and pro shop. It will also feature a short walk to the 19th hole, The Niblick; here you will enjoy great post-round camaraderie.

The private Beach House, located on Little Hickory Island has a Key West flair and includes, beach chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, hammocks, two tiki huts, and an 85-seat restaurant and bar.

Jasmine Bay at West Bay Club is located one mile west of U.S. 41 on Williams Road in Estero. The sales and information center is located at 22050 Tamiami Trail South, on the corner of U.S. 41 and Williams Road. For more information call (239) 948-9009.

Bid Date: Est. Start Date:
March 2005 April 2005

Description:
New construction and site work for a residential complex in Estero. Working plans are calling for two 19-story towers to house 200 condominiums ranging from 1,745 to 4,260 square feet, a fitness center, swimming pool, and a game room.

Construction is expected to commence in April 2005. Interested parties should direct inquiries to the builder.

[Landier]

Riva Del Lago Construction Pictures (Outside of Downtown Fort Myers)

[smiley]

Workshop to focus on downtown

High-rises, general plan up for discussion

By ALISON KEPNER
AKEPNER@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on February 23, 2005
Those concerned about high-rise development along Fort Myers' waterfront will have a chance to talk to elected leaders in a workshop next week.

At the request of concerned residents, the city council Tuesday scheduled the meeting for 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Elected leaders and city staff will use the workshop to review the city's downtown plan and its relation to approved and proposed projects.

The meeting, however, will not be used to dissect any particular project. The best time for that, leaders said, is at the public hearings for the developments.

"Let's just talk about the issues of the plan and not the specifics of any of the projects," Councilman Mike Flanders said.

Miami architect Andres Duany, who designed the city's plan in 2001, will not be there, but city officials said Tuesday his office has confirmed he will attend a later meeting. He does not want to return to Fort Myers until the city completes a virtual reality program showing what downtown will look like once the projects are complete.

Duany, who has harshly criticized the way city leaders have carried out his plan, said he wants to use the tool to show the public how his plan will look but stressed he is not coming back to change his vision, said Downtown Redevelopment Agency Director Don Paight.

Paight has identified four firms that can create the virtual reality program. He does not have an estimated cost.

It's unclear when the town hall meeting will be held. Flanders expects it may not be until summer because of the time needed to create the program and find a date that fits Duany's schedule.

Meanwhile, council members will move forward considering four developments already approved by the planning board. The council voted to advertise the projects for March public hearings.

Set for 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8:

• Riviera San Tropez, 2745 First St. The 27-story condominium project includes 346 residences in two towers, riverfront lofts and two liner buildings.

• Hotel Monaco, 2543 First St. The 27-story mixed-use development includes 300 hotel rooms and 70 condominium units.

Set for 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 10:

• Sullivan-Florida Group's West First Street project. It includes two 25-story towers with 392 residences and 64 hotel rooms.

• First River Condominiums, 2220 West First St., now home to Holiday Inn. The project proposes three 32-story towers with 450 units and commercial space.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs..../1008/NEWS0106

[smiley]

Hurry up and pass teh bill - anyone who drives teis road knows how much it sucks -

House panel OKs $72M for I-75

Funds part of $284 billion national highway bill

By LARRY WHEELER
THE NEWS-PRESS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Published by news-press.com on March 3, 2005


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WASHINGTON — Efforts to hasten the expansion of Interstate 75 in Lee and Collier counties took a step forward Wednesday.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a six-year, $284 billion highway and mass transit bill that has $72 million for I-75.

Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, said the legislation is "great news" for Southwest Florida but warned this is just the first step in a long process.

"There are no guarantees that the full House and Senate will support the entire $72 million," Mack said.

Mack, a transportation committee member, helped get committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, to take part in a Fort Myers transportation forum in February.

The legislation now goes to the full House for a vote. The Senate also must pass similar legislation before representatives from the two chambers meet to work out differences.

It could be months before a version of the bill is ready for a final vote and, if approved, President Bush's signature.

Last year, no highway bill passed.

If approved, the funds would be earmarked for the Florida Department of Transportation to use on the widening project already in the planning stages.

In 2008, FDOT plans to begin construction to widen 26 miles of I-75 from Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County to the Daniels Parkway interchange in Lee County.

The project cost is estimated to be at least $200 million and could take up to 2 1/2 years to complete.

The infusion of federal funds could speed up initial bridge overpass and interchange work.

Some stretches of I-75 in Lee County have seen traffic counts far in excess of what the road can reasonably handle.

For instance, the most heavily traveled stretch — between Daniels Parkway and Alico Road — carried 78,000 vehicles per day in 2003. That is more than double the 31,000 average daily vehicle count that drove the same four lanes in 1991.

The $72 million for I-75 in the current highway bill is a 500 percent increase over the $48 million authorized by the House in last year's failed transportation bill.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....503030466/1008

[smiley]

We shall see - those new developments, while tall, won't do much for walking traffic in downtown, as far as I can tell. . .They are not built as urban projects and the old folks will just get in their Town Cars and LExi and go driving. . .

Downtown strives for right mix

Scores of stores closing, opening

By ALISON KEPNER
AKEPNER@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on March 3, 2005


TOWN HALL MEETING
Downtown business owners, city residents and others concerned about Fort Myers' redevelopment will have a chance to talk to elected leaders at 5:15 p.m. today during a town hall meeting at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St.
Don Paight, Downtown Redevelopment Agency director, will open the meeting with a review of the city's downtown plan, designed by Miami architect Andres Duany. A question and answer period and public input session will follow.

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Ginger Sushi and Tapas. Euphora. Varian's. Ladies Workout Express. Antonio's Pizza & Brew.

Soon Silver & Stones and Shaz will join the list of downtown businesses that closed their doors in Fort Myers.

Empty storefronts such as these line the streets of downtown Fort Myers, but officials say the condition of the commercial heart of the city isn't as critical as it appears. They know some businesses are failing and others are struggling but say new restaurants and stores already are lined up to take their places.

"You're going to have turnover until you have the right mix," said Tammy Bennett, Downtown Management Corp.'s Main Street manager. "Sometimes change is good."

She cites a list of businesses that recently opened — Thai Silk on Lee Street and Broadway's Everything Old is New Again and Just Picture It.

Others are coming soon, including a package and shipping store at the corner of Broadway and Main Street. Clothing and jewelry shops are set to take over this spring when Shaz closes and Silver & Stones moves to Cypress Square on McGregor Boulevard in south Fort Myers.

A new upscale lounge, EnVie, on Main Street and Downtown House of Pizza at the Antonio's site also will open soon.

The changes are natural, Bennett said. "Any downtown that's going through revitalization is going to have turnover."

But can these new ventures survive where their predecessors failed?

Michael Sullivan thinks so.

He and his partners invested half a million dollars renovating the former Cyrus Nightclub. EnVie, set to open Friday, March 11, will feature live jazz music and an extensive wine list.

Sullivan hopes to attract the 30- and 40-something business crowd to keep — and bring — them downtown after work.

"There's nothing that really caters to that," he said.

Ventures such as his are what give Bennett hope. But for some small- business owners, struggles remain.

Some complain downtown rent is too high, foot traffic too low. Elected leaders promise golden days ahead after the city's redevelopment brings high-rises filled with new downtown residents, but businesses need to survive until then.

"Of course it will be good at that point," said Ron Killion, who owns Frog and the Fly on Broadway. "If I can last that long, I don't know."

But Killion has survived for six years. Cheryl Admire has made it, too. Her store, Bountiful Baskets, has succeeded downtown for 10 years. Both shop owners believe in downtown — its present character and future promise.

"The reason I love the downtown area is it's better than (U.S.) 41 or a location that only has drive-by traffic," Admire said.

Downtown "people walk by on their lunch break," she said. "Even at this time, this is a great place to be as opposed to a location that has drive-by traffic."

Bennett is not worried about the closings. She sees progress and an improving retail and restaurant district.

"Look at it (compared to) five years ago," she said.

Most business owners agree the key to a strong downtown is local residents. Tourists and winter residents help, but Fort Myers folks need to spend their dollars in their hometown, too.

"The local people are not coming downtown," Killion said.

City leaders are trying to encourage such shoppers. In December, they did away with most parking meters to create a two-hour free parking area known as the ZIP (Zip In Parking) zone. Admire thinks it's working.

"That was one of our big screams, about the parking meters," she said.

Downtown veterans Killion and Admire have advice for future downtown ventures. Part of staying afloat is practicing good business. That means keeping regular hours and staying open late during special events, Killion said.

Even if businesses do not get a lot of customers during the events "at least the exposure is there," he said.

Admire suggests including a service-based component to the business, too. Her shop takes phone orders and does a lot of corporate business.

"You've got to have some service that you offer," she said. "For retail, it's so hard for just direct retail."

Admire is proud to be a downtown business owner. "We're one of the pioneers," she said, adding she knows others have not shared her success.

"They've come and they've gone, and it's sad to say," she said. "You have friends come and go."

Sullivan said he realizes his club is opening before the city's revitalization is complete.

"We're probably about two years ahead," he said, adding while he acknowledges the risk, he thinks a niche for EnVie already exists.

Sullivan wants to be part of downtown's rebirth.

"I'm excited to be on the ground level," he said.
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....503030501/1008

[renner01]

WWW.MONACORESORTANDSPA.COM

They had a big insert in miami newspaper on Friday.

[The Mad Hatter!!]

i like the monaco project,when i saw it yesterday in the foldout it looked pretty nice except the spire is about 50ft to big.

[smiley]

Here is a picture from their website:

[MIAballinboi]

great pic, is that an antenna on top of it or is that behind the building

[Jasonhouse]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

Great update & pics. This thread is going to get pretty cool with a Fort Myers forumer on here.

Hells yeah!


Hello to our new FTM forumer! It used to be one of the very few FL cities without a warm body here to keep us up to speed...yay!

[smiley]

Fort Myers council OKs 2 high-rises

Towers to be built along river

By ALISON KEPNER
AKEPNER@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on March 9, 2005


IF YOU GO
• What: Public hearings on Legacy Harbour and First River Condominiums
• When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday
• Where: Council chambers, 2200 Second St. in Fort Myers

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Two 27-story high-rises will join Fort Myers' booming waterfront development, and both will offer public riverwalks.

City council members Tuesday approved Riviera St. Tropez and Hotel Monaco. Together, the projects will bring 416 condominium and 300 hotel units to First Street.

Elected leaders will consider two more projects — Sullivan-Florida Group's 25-story Legacy Harbour and the 32-story First River Condominiums by Fort Myers Development, LLC. — at public hearings Thursday.

Residents at Tuesday's meeting urged the council to require Homes for America, the developer of both St. Tropez and Hotel Monaco, to provide public riverwalks. Although submitted plans called for such access at the hotel, the St. Tropez proposal did not provide it.

Homes for America President Robert Kohn agreed to the request Tuesday but asked city leaders in turn to seek the same concession from future developments and current property owners so they can create a continuous riverwalk.

With the concession, the council approved St. Tropez 4-0. Councilwoman Ann Knight was absent.

It will be built on 4.7 acres at 2754 First St. and include two towers with 150 residences in 25 stories above two stories of parking. Sixteen more units, 30 lofts and commercial space will shield a parking garage.

Some residents were pleased with the additional riverwalk but still questioned the height.

"I am not against growth or progress. I am against the height of these projects," Ward 4 resident Pamela Lambert said.

She countered comments by Councilman Mike Flanders at a neighborhood meeting that once buildings reach a certain height one must count on fingers to tell the difference in stories.

"You don't have to count fingers when you see an eight-story building

and a 32-story building," Lambert said. "It's no longer balanced."

But others came to the hearings to support the projects.

About two dozen Beau Rivage residents and Homes for America employees wore blue T-shirts reading "Growth for Progress."

Dean Park resident Brad Newton, who lives across the street from the St. Tropez site, told the council the height does not bother him. "Once you get over 15 stories — 15, 30 I don't see the difference," he said.

Height and density also were issues when the council considered Hotel Monaco, a 27-story tower with 300 hotel-condominium units and 70 residences at 2543 First St. Plans include a half-acre neighborhood park at the east side of the property on a strip of Florida Department of Transportation land with a riverwalk to the rear of the hotel.

The project passed 3-1 with Flanders dissenting. Although the project did not need bonus density because most of its units are classified as hotel rooms, the councilman questioned language that allows the rooms to be rented for four months.

"That's a seasonal living condition in my book. That's not a hotel," he said.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....503090498/1008

[smiley]

First River condos get council approval

By ALISON KEPNER
AKEPNER@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on March 25, 2005


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Another high-rise will join Fort Myers' booming riverfront, but it will come with 30 fewer condominium homes than proposed.

The Fort Myers City Council on Thursday unanimously approved First River Condominiums, 2220 W. First St., with 420 of the 450 homes requested. The 5.32-acre site includes 2,920 square feet of commercial space on two parcels of land across Altamont Avenue.

How the unit number change will affect the height of the project's three 32-story towers remains unclear. With about five homes per floor, developer Fort Myers Development, LLC could trim two stories per building. The council also recommended buildings with altering heights with the center tower the highest and reduced stories for the eastern and western buildings.

Councilman Mike Flanders wanted to lower the height and number of homes more, but his motion to approve only 375 homes failed to garner a second. Councilwomen Ann Knight and Veronica Shoemaker then motioned to approve 450. Ultimately, they compromised on 420 homes.

Although some council members disliked the height of the towers, all praised the project for its public amenities, including a riverwalk and viewing area with gazebo at the end of Altamont. The developer also worked closely with Andres Duany's firm to conform the project to Duany's downtown redevelopment plan.

"They did a beautiful job of giving an asset to the public," Knight said. "They are giving the public the most access of any of the projects."

The reduction in homes will keep the city from going over a state housing limit along the Caloosahatchee River — at least for now.

The city is restricted to 2,777 homes within the Coastal High Hazard Zone, a low-lying area in danger of flooding during hurricanes and tropical storms. The city's zone runs along the Caloosahatchee River between the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and Billy's Creek. It does not include most of the area along Edwards Drive between the U.S. 41 and Edison bridges.

With First River's approval, the city has four units left under the cap. Had the council approved the requested 450 units, First River would have pushed Fort Myers 26 homes over the limit.

City staff members are working with the state Department of Community Affairs to change the zone's boundaries to allow more homes downtown. Even with the proposed change, however, the city would have been 26 units short. To permit future development over the cap, lobbyists are asking state legislators to increase the city's density if public safety measures are taken.

But some residents who attended Thursday's meeting think the city is allowing too much too soon. Judy Alves told leaders that developers' vision for Fort Myers is to make money.

"Every decision this council has made so far has benefited and fed into the vision of the developers," she said. "My plea is for all of you to slow down."

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....503250468/1008

[MIAballinboi]

I think you should sticky a thread for southwest florida, ft-myers, naples,

theres alot of interesting stuff going on in these cities and theyre boom towns, plus now that were getting new forumers from these areas, it might be best.
thnx
anyways heres an update

from southeast.construction.com

Construction Underway at New Fort Myers Condo Community

Pine Ridge Real Estate and JWR Construction, both of Deerfield Beach, broke ground in mid-January at one of Fort Myers' newest private condominium communities. The development will feature multi-story buildings clustered around a central lake and private clubhouse, pool and landscaped beach. The 116-unit gated community is scheduled for completion in spring 2007.

[MIAballinboi]

a great source, the city of fort myers site
http://www.cityftmyers.com/departmen.../highrise.aspx

ALTA MAR
Project: 7 story / 131 condo units
Developer: Tarragon Realty Investments
Location:* 2825 Palm Beach, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.461.0002
Web Address: www.marinaliving.net

BEAU RIVAGE
Project: 22 story / 124 condo units Developer: Homes for America
Location: 2797 First Street, Fort Myers Phone: 239.337.2328
Web Address: www.thebeaurivage.com

CYPRESS CLUB
Project: 32 story / 292 condo units
Developer: New Leaf—BAP
Location: 2589 First Street, Fort Myers Phone: 239.334.3472
Web Address: www.thecypressclub.com

HIGH POINT PLACE
Project: 32 story / 273 condo units
Developer: Cameratta Properties
Location: 2026 Clifford Street, Fort Myers Phone: 239.334.4164
Web Address: www.highpointplace.com

MONACO
Project: 25 story / 70 condo / 300 hotel
Developer: Homes for America
Location: 2543 First Street, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.337.2328
Web Address: www.MonacoResortandSpa.com

OASIS
Project: 32 story / 1079 condo units
Developer: The Related Group
Location: 2961 Frierson Street, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.334.2345
Web Address: www.OasisCondo.com

ST. RAPHAEL
Project: 27 story / 150 condo units
Developer: Homes for America
Location: 2745 First Street, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.337.2328
Web Address: www.sttropez.apartmentsvr.com

ST. TROPEZ
Project: 27 story / 150 condo units
Developer: Homes for America
Location: 2745 First Street, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.337.2328
Web Address: www.sttropez.apartmentsvr.com

THE VUE
Project: 27 story / 180 condo units
Developer: Throgmartin
Location: 1300 Hendry Street, Fort Myers
Phone: 239.337.7200
Web Address: www.theVue.info


nice set of towers to redefine the skyline!

[MIAballinboi]

wow ft myers is booming, on skyscrapers.com it has like 30 buildings over 20 stories that are u/c or approved or planned,

all the tall towers are being built or about to be u/c now.

high point and oasis each have like 5 buildings over 30 stories each,

cant wait to see the skyline with all these built, its the next ft. laud!

[SDK4]

Ft. Myers is on fire!!! Is there any end to its development?

[Jasonhouse]

ballinboi.... This thread was stickied for a while, then it went dead for a while, so I unstuck it. Now that it's active again, stickied it is.

[MIAballinboi]

^good move, thnx,

[Landier]

All the new construction (besides those that I took pictures of before) is currently in the prepping land or pouring foundation stage. I'll post some updates once they go vertical

The first tower of Riva Del Lago is now topped out, and then 2nd should follow in a matter of a couple weeks.

I can also tell you that I'm in the industry here in Fort Myers, and these are just the beginning, there are many more plans behind closed doors! (I know that's a tease, but that's all I can say for now)