Lead Photo: The Longwater and Bellmar projects are planned for the eastern part of Collier County.
RESIDENTIAL
FEDS ASK COLLIER COUNTY TO HOLD OFF ON DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGES
The U.S. Department of the Interior wants a say in controversial plans to build two new villages in rural Collier County east of Golden Gate Estates. The federal agency wants the county to hold off on approving the Longwater and Bellmar projects mainly because the two villages proposed on 1,000 acres with more than 2,600 units each are too close to the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Collier. Some feel the developments will displace panthers and overcrowd their neighborhoods. The developer, Collier Enterprises, will set aside 7,000 acres of land between the two villages for land preservation. The March 4 meeting of the county’s Planning Commission drew more than 60 public speakers, but the board held off on making any decisions, WINK News reports.
MORTGAGE RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR CAPE CORAL HOMEOWNERS
The city of Cape Coral has $680,000 to give to eligible households who qualify for up to six months of emergency assistance. The application, posted Monday on the city’s website, must be submitted before March 26.
MORE THAN 200 TINY HOMES PLANNED FOR NEW CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMUNITY
More than 200 tiny homes could be coming to a new community in Charlotte County. Simple Life Ventures plans to build its second Florida tiny home community at 12100 Burnt Store Road, about 2.5 miles south of U.S. 41. The one- or two-bedroom homes will be as small as 400 square feet with a starting price of $130,000. Charlotte County commissioners approved the rezoning of land for up to 230 units. Simple Life Ventures, which still needs to get its building permits approved by the county, hopes to break ground in the summer, with the first homeowners occupying homes early next year, WINK News reports.
SUFFOLK BEGINS BUILDING KEYBAY AT MOORINGS PARK GRANDE LAKE
Suffolk recently began construction of KeyBay at Moorings Park Grande Lake, a new luxury Life Plan Community in Naples. Moorings Park Grande Lake is a partnership between Moorings Park and London Bay Development Group. The architect is BSSW Architects. KeyBay includes 22 residences, featuring 20 Brook model floor plans and two seventh-floor penthouses, one of which is already sold. Residences range in size from 2,210 square feet to 3,230 square feet. Situated on 55 acres five miles from Fifth Avenue, Moorings Park Grande Lake combines amenities and healthcare and includes luxury residences with lake views overlooking Naples Grande Golf Course. Based on a preliminary study using the IMPLAN modeling, the project is estimated to have the following economic impact throughout the construction phase, which commenced in 2018 and will continue to the end of 2026: Construction impacts will be in excess of $549 million and will provide 4,798 jobs to the local economy; at the time of full operations employment in 2025, the project will have a positive economic impact by creating 189 jobs and over $23 million annually in total economic impact; and Total impact fees from the project are $3 million. Suffolk is also overseeing construction on Moorings Park Grande Lake Clubhouse for the same development team.
Pembrook
FOUR NEW LUXURY HOMES UNDERWAY BY LONDON BAY IN MEDITERRA
London Bay Homes offers four new inventory estates in the Mediterra luxury community on Livingston Road in North Naples. Along with a selection of homes underway starting from $1.5 million, homebuyers can elect to recreate one of London Bay Homes’ expansive floor plan selections on their choice of more than 30 homesites within the distinctive neighborhoods of Mediterra. The floor plans embody the builder’s signature coastal-influenced architecture, grand open concepts and a connection to outdoor living areas designed to complement Mediterra living. Call 239-949-8989 to schedule in-person private model tours available through the Mediterra sales center, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CUSTOM RESIDENCE TO BE BUILT IN OLDE NAPLES
CGU Homes, MHK Architecture and Design and Gulf Coast International Properties have partnered to design and build a custom residence at 401 4th Ave N. in the heart of Olde Naples. The two-story residence with 4,428 square feet of living space features architectural detailing with a contemporary coastal style. The estate also includes a great room design with beamed ceilings throughout, dual walk-in closets in the master bedroom, and a steam shower and private outdoor shower in the master bathroom. Upstairs, the home consists of three bedrooms plus a den with a bonus room large enough for a pool table and living area. The home will feature white oak wood floors throughout, Andersen impact windows and doors, linear diffusers and a flat, concrete tile roof. The pool and landscape are designed by Christian Andrea and will include a lap pool, sun shelf and a water feature. Construction for the four-bedroom-plus-den house will start in April.
COMMERCIAL
FORT MYERS PROPERTY SELLS FOR $272,000
Global Fiber Optics Inc. has purchased 2,313 square feet of industrial/flex space located at 10970 S. Cleveland Ave., in Fort Myers, from Dogs at Play LLC for $272,000. Gary Tasman, CEO and principal broker, and Gretchen Smith, director and broker of Cushman and Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida LLC, represented the seller in negotiating the transaction.
NAPLES CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES DISCUSSION ON BUILDING HEIGHT ORDINANCE
The Naples City Council on March 3 continued its first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend city code to limit building heights to 42 feet in commercial zoning districts and eliminate the ability to obtain a variance to building height. After debating the possibility for exceptions to the ordinance, council did not take action on the issue and continued discussion to a future meeting, although a date was not set. The proposed ordinance keeps with the city’s vision goal to preserve the small-town character and culture by ensuring a development scale that is consistent with the residential community and expectations that growth is limited in the community. Last June, City Council temporarily prohibited applications for variances to the maximum allowable height in commercial districts for six months while the city considered an amendment to permanently remove the ability to request a variance for the three-story building height. In December, this action was extended for another 180 days.
Video courtesy of WINK News
FUTURE OF LEE CIVIC CENTER, FAIRGROUNDS COULD INCLUDE HOTEL, RETAIL SPACE
The Lee County Fair’s North Fort Myers property is up for new management or even redevelopment. The county is exploring options on what to do with the Lee Civic Center and the surrounding property, but that doesn’t mean dramatic change is on the way anytime soon. The Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair is celebrating its 97th year and its 41st at the property at State Road 31 and Bayshore Road. A proposal shared with WINK News by the Fair Association shows Kitson and Partners, the developers of Babcock Ranch, want to connect it to the property they own across the street and turn the fairgrounds into a hotel, restaurant and retail space. The county said this is just the start of the process. There’s no vote anytime soon and no one is out of the running, WINK News reports.
OXBOW BAR & GRILL TO OPEN MARCH 22
Luminary Hotel & Co. will open its fifth food and beverage outlet, Oxbow Bar & Grill, on March 22. Located in what was once known as the City Pier Building at 1300 Hendry Street, Oxbow Bar & Grill will bring a new experience to Downtown Fort Myers’ River District, offering a mix of causal dockside dining and shopping designed to ignite a spirit of waterfront adventure. Oxbow will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on the weekends. The casual 150-seat Oxbow Bar & Grill will offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Menu selections will include fresh oysters and other signature favorites, including fresh seafood, craft sandwiches, burgers, and steaks. Oxbow’s second floor will offer 2,400 square feet of event space for up to approximately 150 guests, featuring a patio with private access and a catering kitchen. Oxbow will offer a retail store for sportswear, gear, accessories, and destination souvenirs supplied by St. Petersburg-based Boaters Republic. A watersports outfitter with kayak and paddleboard rentals will be activated in time for summer.
SEAGATE TO BUILD FIRST OFFICE IN BUSINESS PARK AT ALICO ROAD AND I-75
Seagate Development Group is set to break ground in April on a 35,000-square-foot facility for Rice Insulation & Glass. The Lee County-based materials supplier will be the first tenant in a 40-acre, Seagate-owned business park at Alico Road and Interstate 75 in Fort Myers. The freestanding building will include 3,000 square feet of office space for sales and management teams, a reception area, a conference room, four oversized offices with 10 workstations, three standard offices, and training and break rooms. Additional space is reserved for a warehouse for insulation, glass, shower door and shelving materials. The project is targeted for completion by October.
Aqua Restaurant
AQUA RESTAURANT ADDS LOUNGE WITH BAR ON FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH
Aqua, a fine-dining restaurant on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples, has added a new offering to its plate — an ultra-chic lounge with a 30-foot bar that can comfortably seat up to 80 people. Aqua offers Mediterranean-style seafood and steaks with open-air seating and a teak bar. Owner Gordon Stojkoski, a 31-year veteran of the restaurant and nightclub business, said he created the Aqua Lounge because of the demand. The new Aqua Lounge, which offers craft cocktails and boasts an extensive wine and champagne list, is open seven days a week featuring live music nightly and a happy hour with small plates from 4 to 7 p.m. Aqua’s expansion took over what previously was the adjacent Petunias of Naples women’s clothing store. Aqua, 862 Fifth Ave. S., also expanded its outdoor dining area, tripling the number of tables outside.
FIFTH THIRD BANK GROWING OFFICE LOCATIONS IN NAPLES AREA
Fifth Third Bank has at least three new full-service banking centers planned along U.S. 41 in the Naples area. The Cincinnati-based banking company already broke ground on a more than 1,800-square-foot office with a drive-thru on a Gulf Gate Plaza outparcel at 2898 Tamiami Trail E., a former gas station lot on the corner of Bayshore Drive in East Naples. Fifth Third also has plans pending to demolish two separate commercial spaces in the city of Naples to build two branches with drive-thru lanes. These offices are planned at the former Frantz EyeCare outparcel in The Gateway of Naples shopping center on the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Golden Gate Parkway; and at the recently vacated six-unit retail strip downtown on the northeast corner of Ninth Street South and Third Avenue South. Fifth Third also is seeking conditional-use approval from City Council for a drive-thru to be added to the branch it operates on the northeast corner of Park Shore Plaza on U.S. 41, plans show.
The Q Lasik & Med Spa ribbon-cutting
THE Q iLASIK & MED SPA GRAND OPENING TO BENEFIT IMAGINE CHILDREN’S HEALTH CENTER
The Q iLASIK & Med Spa will host a public grand opening from 1-5 p.m. on March 27 to benefit the Imagine Children’s Health Center and help in its mission to provide psychological counseling and treatment for school-aged children. The Q iLASIK & Med Spa will donate a portion of all sales to the charity during the grand opening at the new med spa, located at 675 Piper Boulevard in Naples. Attendees can enjoy free food and beverages as well as a variety of free services, including vision screenings, facial plastic surgery consultations with Dr. Stephen Prendiville, iLASIK screenings, chair massages, med spa consultations, and tours of the 2,000-square-foot med spa. Raffle tickets will be sold on site with all funds donated to the Imagine Children’s Health Center. Precautions will be in place to encourage social distancing. Masks will be required.
Life Storage Carl\’s Wine Vault
GATES CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES LIFE STORAGE AND CARL’S WINE VAULT
Gates Construction has
LEASES
Pure Skill Fitness LLC leased 6,000 square feet of retail space from CRF Gateway Limited Partnership, located at 2170 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Rob Carroll, CCIM, MAI of Investment Properties Corp. negotiated this transaction.
Kirwan & Spellacy P.A. leased 2,602 square feet of office space from Kraft Office Center LLC, located at 3530 Kraft Road, Suite 201, Naples. Clint Sherwood, CCIM of Investment Properties Corp. represented the landlord and Carl Lohmann of William Raveis represented the tenant.
The Bain Law Firm P.L. leased 1,482 square feet of office space from Creekside West Inc. & Foxrock OT5 Realty LLC, located at 4099 Tamiami Trail N. Suite No. 208. Tara Stokes of Investment Properties Corp. negotiated this transaction.
WellcomeMD LLC leased 1,246 square feet of office space from Farley White CHP LLC, located at 11181 Health Park Blvd., Suite 2260, Naples. Clint Sherwood, CCIM of Investment Properties Corp. represented the landlord and Gary Tasman and Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the tenant in negotiating the transaction.
Olubunmi Law PLLC leased 1,174 square feet of office space at 12995 S Cleveland Ave., No. 214, Fort Myers, from Pinebrook Pine LLC. Gary Tasman and Gretchen Smith of Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida represented the landlord and the tenant in negotiating the transaction.
Mike Novo
ON THE MOVE
B&I Contractors officers are celebrating tenure milestones. Jeff Zenoniani marked his 25th year anniversary with B&I Contractors, while Mike Novo has entered his 20th year with the company. Zenoniani has more than 36 years’ experience in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, construction, and operation. He holds a Bachelor of Science Medical Engineering degree from the University of South Florida and has been registered with the state of Florida since 1992 as a certified mechanical, Plumbing and general contractor. He also holds the State of Florida LP Gas license for B & I Contractors Inc. and is LEED Certified in New Construction. Zenoniani started at B&I Contractors in 1995. Novo has more than 35 years’ experience in commercial and industrial piping. He is responsible for all B & I Contractors Inc. trade department operations and profitability. Novo has been associated with the American Welding Society for 10 years. He started his career with B & I Contractors Inc. in 2000.
KUDOS
Ted Wilmering
Gulf Coast International Properties has named Ted and Lauren Wilmering as Agents of the Month for February. The Wilmerings form a father-daughter family team with longstanding roots in the Naples community. Ted has 40 years of real estate experience in Naples and Lauren is a Naples native with 20 years of experience. The Wilmerings recent transaction in Aqualane Shores for $7.92 million, where they represented both buyer and seller, was a highlight for the team in 2020, contributing to their record-breaking year.
Celeste Cornejo
Renée Gaddis Interiors, a full-service residential interior design firm, recently hired Celeste Cornejo and Kayla Middendorf as design associates. Cornejo earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture in Argentina from the University of Mendoza school of Architecture & Urban Planning and completed an exchange study at the National University of Mexico. She completed her thesis at Virginia Tech. She most recently worked for an interior design and architecture firm on Miami Beach, focusing on high-end residential projects. Conejo is currently completing an interior design course through the University of Miami. Middendorf received a bachelor’s degree in interior and environmental design from Illinois State University. Before moving to Southwest Florida, she worked for multiple interior design firms in the Chicagoland area, developing experience in both commercial and residential design.
Heatherwood Construction has added new project superintendents and one tech/warranty specialist. Superintendent Scott Heston brings more than 25 years of construction experience with a wide variety of project types, including assisted living, medical, restaurants, schools, office and historic renovations. Heston will be responsible for daily onsite supervision of Heatherwood Construction projects. He is joined by Justin Lewis, who has joined the team as assistant superintendent. Lewis has more than seven years of experience in the construction field and in site development. He is presently working on Heatherwood’s construction of a tire/automotive store in Charlotte County. Jake Hicks also joins the Heatherwood team as its tech team/warranty specialist.
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