Tim Aten Knows: Condos proposed at former Burger King

Q: Any idea what is going on with the former Burger King at 9271 Tamiami Trail N. in North Naples? It’s been vacant for over two years. — Daisy V.S., Naples

Q: Do you know why the Burger King at 9271 Tamiami Trail N. closed? We are very disappointed. We went there often. We were hoping they were tearing down and rebuilding like they did in Golden Gate and on Pine Ridge Road, however, there is an “available” sign at the site. — Linda D., North Naples

A: Mercato West luxury condominiums are proposed at the site of the former Burger King drive-thru restaurant across U.S. 41 from Whole Foods Market at Mercato in North Naples.

Burger King closed there in 2023 after operating for more than 30 years. “That was just an underperforming store,” said Robin Kendall, director of engineering and design for Quality Dining Inc., the Indiana-based company that operates five of the seven remaining Burger King franchise locations in Collier County. During the last five years, QDI’s BravoFlorida LLC razed and rebuilt all its other local spots of the fast-food burger chain.

The vacated restaurant site and four adjacent parcels in the Naples Park area on the west side of U.S. 41 are requested to be rezoned to allow for the creation of 28 multifamily housing units.

The redevelopment project proposes that five small parcels totaling 1.86 acres between 92nd and 93rd Avenue North be converted from a C-3 commercial intermediate zoning district to a RMF-16 residential multifamily zoning district, which allows up to 16 multifamily dwelling units per acre, according to the county’s growth management plan.

The redevelopment project rezoning application, which had its required neighborhood information meeting June 3 and a county Planning Commission public hearing Sept. 18, is scheduled for another public hearing Oct. 28 during the Board of County Commissioners meeting.

The proposed condo complex is a U-shaped building with three floors of condos above 60 covered parking spaces on the ground level. The zoned building height is limited to a maximum of 50 feet, which is the same height as the existing C-3 zoning, rather than the 75 feet allowed in the RMF-16 zoning district.

“The proposed use is compatible with adjacent and nearby land uses, and the residential use will generate considerably less traffic than the existing or otherwise allowable uses under the C-3 district,” according to the proposal.

Minnesota-based companies Rachel Development Inc. and Vincent Real Estate Development LLC, jointly doing business as Ripley Land Co LLC, already have $8.3 million invested in real estate for the redevelopment project. They purchased the former Burger King lot and a single-family residence on 92nd Avenue in July 2024 for $2.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively; and acquired three properties along 93rd Avenue, which included an auto service center, for a total of $4.3 million in September 2024, property records show.

The proposed condominiums will have an average size of 2,357 square feet with options for smaller and larger units. Units are planned to have open floor plans, high ceilings, hardwood floors and private balcony lanais. Development plans include amenities such a private outdoor swimming pool, indoor exercise facilities, a community room and rooftop decks, Vincent reports.

A small grocery store initially was planned at that site a couple of years ago, but the Wild Fork Meat & Seafood Market deal fell through after the Florida Department of Transportation would not grandfather access drives to the property directly off U.S. 41. The only two access points for the Mercato West condos are proposed off both 92nd and 93rd Avenue North, just west of their intersections with U.S. 41.

7-Eleven time 

Q: Do you know why the new 7-11 at Radio Road and Airport-Pulling Road isn’t open yet? It’s been finished for over a month. — Katelyn Mirly, Naples  

A: After the store’s launch was pushed back a couple of times because of delays in connecting to the water main, the newest 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station recently opened on the northeast corner of Airport-Pulling and Radio roads in East Naples, said Steven DeRoso, who co-owns the new store with his wife, Elisa. 

The 7-Eleven franchise at 125 Airport Road N. is the second location for the DeRosos, residents of Golden Gate Estates who opened their first 7-Eleven franchise two years ago in Founders Square. While the new store had a soft opening Sept. 12, the official launch party will be on Sept. 19 with giveaways, on-site vendor promotions and entertainment following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

“Our grand opening celebration is going to be on the 19th,” Steven DeRoso said. “We’re super excited to open our second store and to be here for the community and ready to go.” 

The new location does not have a car wash, as originally planned, but the store is the same format as the 7-Eleven that opened last year at The Randall at Orangetree in Golden Gate Estates. “It’s a big store with a lot more of an open concept,” DeRoso said. “It’s more than 4,000 square feet with 16 pumps. We have diesel at every pump and air and vacuums on site.” 

The 4,853-square-foot convenience store is the latest prototype for the international chain. 

“It’s a different format. This layout is completely different,” said DeRoso, who will mark his 20th anniversary next March working for Lowe’s home improvement store. 

A longtime, two-story office building was demolished a year ago on the corner directly across from Naples Airport to make way for the 7-Eleven redevelopment project by Fort Myers-based Creighton Construction & Development. Before it was initially razed in the 1980s for a string of bank branches — First Union National Bank, Wachovia Bank and then Wells Fargo Bank — the commercial property was home to a train depot, which eventually became The Bargain Depot retail store and a vegetable stand. 

The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.