Magazine Feature Story on Redevelopment Boom in Downtown Fort Myers

Headline 1: The Downtown Lowdown
Fort Myers’ River District Shows Promise and Progress

Headline 2: Residential Renaissance Taking Place in The Downtown River District

Headline 3: Riverfront Renaissance – The Future of Fort Myers’ Downtown District

When Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson talks about what’s going on in the Downtown River District, he has a hard time containing his enthusiasm. There’s no question he likes what he sees regarding the development of key projects there, and talks with excitement about the overall direction of the riverfront and adjacent areas.

Henderson rattles off facts and numbers about dozens of residential and commercial development projects either currently underway or in the planning stages as if reading them, until you realize he has all the data to tell you about each specific project in his head.

Henderson has a thorough understanding of just how critical the future development of the River District is, and what it means to the success of the City of Fort Myers. He is a firm believer in the direction the city has taken in the growth of downtown, and excited about the variety of residential, hotel and other real estate projects coming online in the future.

Always giving credit to the Fort Myers City Council and the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, (CRA), along with so many other entities that have helped the river district into the future, Henderson speaks with confidence about what has been accomplished.

“Back during the recession years, around 2000, our city leaders were able to foresee that it would not last forever, and moved forward with permitting and building the infrastructure that we would need to move forward”, he says. “Road improvements, the water basin work, the telecommunication needs – we all had the resolve to make sure that when the downtown development came back, we were ready”.

One of the key indicators of downtown growth is the Luminary Hotel project, already coming out of the ground directly adjacent to the Harbourside Convention Center. This project was the center of a title dispute between the heirs of the landowners who deeded the property to the City of Fort Myers decades ago, but with the caveat that it may never be used as the site of any commercial development. When the city went to pursue title insurance for the property and the construction, the dispute between some of Fort Myers’ most prominent pioneers and the city came to light.

As of this writing, the Mayor says the city has reached an agreement with the family members of the land’s former owners to develop a 2.6-acre island park in the Caloosahatchee River in exchange for clear title to the land under the Luminary Hotel. “The final decision will come from the court, but we feel confidant that everybody - family members, attorneys for both sides, and the city - have come to a solution that will provide a living legacy to these prominent Fort Myers icons.”

The island, to be called Legacy Park, is located just east of the twin-span bridge as you head north on what many still call “Old 41” into North Fort Myers, and will include walking trails, a beach area and more amenities. It will be a perpetual park operated under the City’s Parks & Recreation Department. “We asked the families what they wanted, and we’re pleased we were able to come to a successful resolution.”

The Luminary Hotel project will be located on just under an acre of land directly adjoining the city’s Harbourside Convention Center. The developer is Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging & Development, and the plan calls for a luxurious hotel, along with multiple restaurants, bars and other commercial businesses. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

The Executive Director of the CRA, Michelle Hylton-Terry, sees the Luminary project as a catalyst to the continued growth in the River District. “I think many developers and investors were waiting to see what happened with that project. It has instilled confidence in others who were waiting for the right time to partner up with the city to create a downtown area that would be an example of how it should be done.”

Well before these efforts, others dipped their toes into the waters of providing residential opportunities along the downtown riverfront, including the developers of Oasis, Riviera, High Point Place, Alta Mar and Pointe Royale condominiums. Dating back to the early 2000’s, these developments faced adversity in marketing their products because of the global real estate recession, but are currently seeing renewed interest in the River District real estate market.

The Master Plan

The growth in the River District has been a long road. Back in 2002, the city enlisted the help of renowned urban architect and urban planner Andres Duany, and Mayor Henderson says the city has been following his plan for eighteen years. “There have been many steps in this process, including the downturn in the market that affected our actions regarding downtown, but thankfully the council had the foresight to move forward with the steps necessary to make a proper plan for the future.”

The city has also received approval from Florida’s D.O.T. and has the funds to rebuild both east First and Second Streets into two-way thoroughfares, with construction beginning within the 2nd or 3rd Quarter of 2019. Henderson said the residential developers have paid fees to support those construction projects, along with state and city funds, and the work is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

The MacFarlane Barney Group, headed by CEO Robert MacFarlane and his daughter, Chief Operating Officer, Rebekah, is no stranger to the downtown area, having years ago developed Riviera, Beau Rivage and St. Tropez condominiums along the shores of the Caloosahatchee. Their development team was also involved in the Campo Felice project, but has since moved on to planning some other major new projects in the district.

MacFarlane Barney’s Prima Luce is the firm’s 5th project downtown, and will encompass two towers of 22 floors each, with 220 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences. The towers will be located at 2631 First Street, and they currently have 25% in unit pre-sales. Ideally situated on 325 feet of riverfront, features will include boat docks, a huge swimming pool, a business center and social rooms. Owners have the benefit of visualizing their new condominium via a high-tech, interactive process where they can select their custom colors and high-end finishes to complete their home online.

Prices begin in the $200,000’s to over $1 million dollars.

MacFarlane Barney is also planning a grand pedestrian boardwalk to make it easy for residents to access all of the growing social and business entities found in downtown Fort Myers while minimizing their interaction with vehicular traffic.

Prima Luce has already broken ground on construction, and is expected to be completed by 2020.

One of the most innovative new projects downtown is Campo Felice, located on Edwards Drive across from the city-owned Fort Myers Yacht Basin. The vision of Rob Harris and Robert MacFarlane, this former Sheraton and Amtel Hotel building took a different approach to luxury high-rise buildings. They developed this property as an upscale, independent living facility where people fifty-five or older rent their units, but still enjoy the luxurious amenities associated with owning a condominium. There are 323 units here, 80 of which are already occupied.

Residents of this 25-story building can enjoy dining in 4 restaurants, dance in the huge ballroom, catch a movie in the cinema, take a dip in the large heated pool or visit the beauty salon or fitness center, all without ever leaving the property.

Harris and his team have plans in place to also develop an adjacent property near the corner of Fowler and First Streets. He anticipates a mix of assisted living residences in a 9-story building, along with medical offices and other services related to the care of older residents.

Just across First Street from the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center will be The Place on First, a building that will have a slightly different twist. The brainchild of David Fry, the former top executive at developer WCI, The Place on First has done some adjusting to their master plan in order to better fit the market.

“Originally, we were going to do a mixed-use type of building, with restaurants and retail on the ground floor, offices on the next 3 floors and condos above, topped with a rooftop pool,” said Fry. “Over time, I decided to alter the concept to do away with the office space and instead look for the right partner to do a 100-room hotel there. We’re still planning on 2 floors of very cool condominiums there, but only 12 units – we think the building will appeal to a younger buyer who wants to be in the heart of the action downtown”.

Fry said the building is fully approved, and he is now awaiting new design plans and drawings to obtain permitting for the new concept. He is currently negotiating with 3 hotel firms to ensure one will be the right match for this unique concept.

“I bought the building in 2013, and was waiting to make sure the Luminary Hotel project was going to move forward”, Fry said. “Now I feel totally comfortable with an investment like The Place on First, and I think the downtown Fort Myers area is poised for significant growth going forward.”

Miami-based JAXI Builders is another player in the market, planning their project called ONE, a 21-story, boutique-style building with only two units per floor. The homes range in size from 1,500 to over 5,000 square feet and have expansive private balconies, energy-efficient, impact-resistant windows and sliding doors, smart technologies and private elevators.

Barbara Bengochea-Perez is their Sales & Marketing Director, and feels the timing is right. “We have reservations on almost 50% of ONE residences, and we feel the timing is perfect for the unique type of project we’re creating.”

JAXI is also marketing their Allure building, twin 32-story towers with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom residences that will be located at 2601 First Street. The towers will be home to 280 homes, and Bengochea-Perez says they have over two dozen units under reservation. Prices are to be from the upper $300,000’s to over $2 million dollars.

“We feel real estate is changing from ‘location, location, location’ to something I call “W.T.D”. Walkability and Waterfront are key components to our project, Tech and Transportation are what people want in their lives, and Destination and Demographics are revealing to us a new, younger buyer who wants to live in the heart of the River District, which offers all of the ideal components to urban life.”

Mayor Randy Henderson points to many other signs of new, positive growth in addition to the residential condominiums in the downtown area.

The shopping center called First Street Village is to be adjacent to City Walk, planned for just south of the Publix-anchored plaza along McGregor Boulevard near the intersection of Victoria Avenue. Covering just under 8 acres, the property is slated for a mixed-use blend of residential, commercial and hotel space in a multi-story design. It is now a vacant lot with no buildings on it. The developer has indicated the hotel there will carry one of the Marriott brand names.

City Walk Fort Myers LLC acquired the land from Madison Ave. Investment Group LLC, and hopes to break ground before the end of 2018.

And although not technically in the River District, Henderson is excited about the city’s plan for what is now being called the Midtown District, encompassing Gardner Park and Dean Park. The area is just a few blocks east of the River District, and across Palm Beach Boulevard from the river.

“We’re going to be looking at a $20 to $30 million-dollar investment in the infrastructure there, and utilizing smart growth initiatives and working with the right private partners to develop and repurpose that area into affordable housing for folks of all ages who want to live near downtown.”

Henderson also talks about the Bradford Block, also known as the Smith Block because of its ownership and development by the Bill Smith family, known locally for their chain of appliance stores. The properties include some vacant parcels, and buildings that now house a bank, the Arcade Theater, a law firm and several smaller businesses.

“North American Properties is planning some awesome things there, including apartments, retail and restaurant space, a parking garage and some exciting plans for the historic Hall of 50 States building along Edwards Drive,” he says.

Mayor Henderson clearly has a solid belief in the downtown area’s future.

“I’m proud of the city and our people who had the foresight to ensure we had the critical infrastructure in place to accommodate the right type of growth we need downtown,” Henderson says. “In the next 6 to 8 years, I see $1 billion dollars in investment within 1 mile of the downtown Fort Myers.”

Contacts / Sources:
Mayor Randy Henderson: 239-850-8333 Cell
David Fry – The Place On First: 239-850-3003 Cell
Robert MacFarlane – Prima Luce: 860-995-9955 Cell
Rebekah MacFarlane – Prima Luce: 646-812-6262 Cell
Barbara Bengochea-Perez – Allure / One: 786-346-8111 Cell
Michelle Hylton-Terry – Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency: 239-Cell