Movin' on Up

For some time, a band of believers has foretold the future when the City of Palms would boast a bustling central district brimming with culture, commerce, restaurants, shops and residents.

The business area is budding and people are moving into cool-looking, rehabbed spaces above historic storefronts. Public places such as Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park are popular destinations.

But a real renaissance will rely on an influx of residents who will support merchants and other commercial and entertainment endeavors, experts say.

The good new is it's starting to happen, seemingly all at once.

Local developers, as well as those from across the state, nation and world, have zeroed in on downtown to construct big buildings along the scenic banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Some 3,500 residential units are under way or proposed.

Here is a list of the major projects planned for downtown Fort Myers. Many of them have commercial components including retail and office space. Asterisks indicate that, as of press time, the project was pending approval of the city council.

Project: Alta Mar

Developer: Tarragon Realty Investments

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2825 Palm Beach Blvd.

Cost: Starting in $200,000 range

Size: 131 condo units in a seven-story

building

Project: Beau Rivage

Developer: Homes for America Holdings

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2797 First St.

Cost: Starting under $300,000

Size: 124 condos in 22 stories

Project: Cypress Club

Developer: BAP/New Leaf

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2601 First St.

Cost: Mid-$200,000s to $1.6 million.

Size: 292 condo units and 14 live/work lofts, in two buildings of 32 stories

Project: First River Condominiums *

Developer: B.S.R. Engineering & Development

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2220 W. First St.

Cost: Undetermined

Size: 451 units in three, 32-story towers

Project: High Point Place

Developer: Cameratta Properties

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2100 W. First St.

Cost: $497,990 to $984,990 per unit

Size: 273 units in 32-story twin towers, with three smaller towers

Project: Hotel Monaco *

Developer: Homes for America Holdings

Type: Luxury condo and hotel

Address: 2543 First St.

Cost: Unavailable

Size: 220 hotel and condo units in

27 stories

Project: Legacy Harbour *

Developer: Sullivan Florida Group

Type: Luxury condo and hotel

Address: 2038 W. First St.

Cost: Undetermined

Size: 288 condo units, 32 loft condos and 64 hotel rooms in two, 25-story towers

Project: Ramada redevelopment

Developer: Gates McVey

Type: Luxury condo and hotel

Address: 2500 Edwards Drive

Cost: Undetermined

Size: 220 condo units, 68 pool-side

villas and 200-plus hotel rooms in

24 stories

Project: Riviera, including The St. Tropez and The St. Raphael *

Developer: Homes for America Holdings

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 2745 First St.

Cost: Unavailable

Size: St. Tropez and St. Raphael each will have 150 units in 27 stories

Project: The Vué

Developer: Throgmartin Company

Type: Luxury condo

Address: 1300 Carson St.

Cost: $566,900 to $1.516 million

Size: 189 units in 27 stories

Project: Yacht Club of Fort Myers

Developer: The Related Group of Florida

Type: Luxury condo

Address: Palm Beach Boulevard and Riverside Drive

Cost: Mid-$200,000s and up

Size: 1,079 units in five 32-floor

towers.