Estero is rapidly approaching “build out” with approximately 400 acres of vacant land left to be developed of the total 17,000 acres in the Village of Estero. Currently, Estero has 17 projects under construction. Another handful of developments are making their way through the Village’s planning and zoning process.
The ECCL has contracted Dave Place of GIS Solutions of Florida to create a digital map showing the locations of developments currently under construction in Estero. This makes it easier to visualize the “big picture” of how our community is growing.
The Village is in a transition period in regards to zoning. Of the 17 developments currently under construction, 14 of them received their zoning approvals from Lee County before Estero’s incorporation. As a consequence, the Village does not have the authority to reduce the scope or density of these projects. The three developments which went through the Village’s zoning process are Lee Health Coconut Point, Genova and The Reef II (an expansion of existing student apartments).
Along with the digital map on the ECCL website, the ECCL has assembled two charts to help inform residents about new developments currently being constructed in the Village. The first is a Summary of Developments Currently Underway (at the right) and the second is a more detailed listing of Developments Currently Underway (available at the end of this article), which shows each project’s type, size and construction status.
Of these 17 developments, four are small, single-family residential communities, one is a condominium development, and one is an upscale apartment project. Additionally, there is a student housing complex and one retirement community under construction. A planned mixed use development, Estero Grande, includes 285 rental units, along with 100,000 square feet of retail space. Approximately 150,000 additional square feet of retail space is being added by six other developments. Lastly, there are two institutional developments — Lee Health Coconut Point and Estero United Methodist Church — currently under construction.
The total number of new housing units (of all types) currently authorized for construction is 1,381. The total amount of retail and institutional space under construction is 424,883 square feet.
What follows is a brief description and status update for each of the 17 developments currently underway in the Village of Estero:
This is a single-family home community at the southwest corner of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway being built by Neal Communities. Estero Place is nearing completion. It has pulled building permits for 96 of its 102 units. This community also includes about 17 acres of preserves.
This is a single-family home community in The Brooks being built by Taylor Morrison northeast of Lighthouse Bay on property once pegged for an interstate exchange (formerly referenced as “the martini glass” because of of its ‘Y’ shape). This development is about two-thirds built out with 60 of its 90 units having been issued building permits.
WestLake Court is a small community of 26 single-family villa homes currently under construction inside of West Bay Club, which is a large coastal development that has been under development over 15 years and is nearly built out on Williams Road west of U.S. 41.
This is a small community of 23 single-family homes currently under construction west of River Ranch Road (north of Estero High School) with connectivity to Estero Community Park. Currently the development is about 50 percent built out.
This is an active adult (55+) community by Del Webb at the southwest corner of Estero Parkway and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, directly north of Germain Arena. About half of the planned 385 one-story, single-family homes have been permitted for construction. Community amenities include an activities director, sports courts, a resort pool, a dog park and a community garden.
This is a luxury condominium project at the southeast corner of Corkscrew Road and Via Coconut Point. Genova was the first development to go through the Village of Estero zoning process. The first of six buildings is currently under construction, and about half of the 205 units have been sold. Genova is contributing $100,000 toward a future main entrance to Estero Community Park off of Via Coconut Point in the planned Village Center.
This apartment complex located between Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena includes 206 luxury units and is nearing completion. Floor plans include studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments with high-end features like granite countertops and walk-in closets. Monthly rent ranges from about $1,200 to $2,000.
The Reef is a student apartment complex at the northeast corner of Estero Parkway and Three Oaks Parkway. Phase Two adds 60 additional units to the existing 168 apartment units. Designed specifically for FGCU students, The Reef offers a 24-hour study lounge with complimentary printing and shuttle service to campus. Phase Two also adds a pool, half-court basketball and green space.
Mixed Use Development
This is a mixed use planned development with zoning approved by Lee County prior to Estero’s incorporation. The developer is planning to build 285 multifamily units and 100,000 square feet of retail space on the west side of U.S. 41 at Estero Parkway (across from Walmart). Construction has begun on site preparation. No building permits have been issued.
The 40,000-square-foot space left vacant by the closure of Sports Authority is being partitioned for two new retailers: Total Wine & More and Tuesday Morning. Slated to open in September, Total Wine focuses on fine wines and offers tasting events and classes. Tuesday Morning is a discount retailer offering name-brand, closeout merchandise. It is also expected to open this fall.
Construction for this 78,600-square-foot self-storage facility is nearing completion. It is located on the west side of U.S. 41 directly south of the entrance to the Fountain Lakes community.
MedExpress EsteroThis is a recently-approved urgent care center of about 5,000 square feet located at the northeast corner of Estero Parkway and U.S. 41 in front of Walmart.
This recently approved veterinary practice is planned for the Plaza del Sol development located northeast of the intersection of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parkway. This will be a two-story, 16,000-square-foot facility providing pets with 24/7 critical care and emergency services, radiology, internal medicine, surgery and oncology. Plans include an enclosed courtyard on the north side of the building.
Construction is nearing completion for a Dunkin’ Donuts and a Valvoline Instant Oil Change in The Shoppes at Grand Oaks located at the northeast corner of Corkscrew Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway (across from Miromar Outlets). The two retailers together will occupy 4,250 square feet and will share a monument sign.
Heartland DentalConstruction has not yet begun for a new dental office plus additional retail space in The Shoppes at Grand Oaks. The design for this approved 5,500-square-foot facility is currently under final review by the Estero Design Review Board.
The church is adding 12,000 square feet to its existing facility on the east side of U.S. 41 south of Broadway Avenue. This $3.5 million expansion will increase the size of the church’s lobby, add a large multipurpose room, create additional classroom space and consolidate parking areas. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2018.
Site preparation is currently underway for Lee Heath’s $140 million Estero healthcare village to be built on 30 acres south of Coconut Road and east of U.S. 41. Lee Health celebrated the groundbreaking on May 18 for this 163,500-square-foot medical facility which features a 24/7 emergency department. Lee Health Coconut Point also will include an expanded Healthy Living Center, as well as a surgery center, short-stay clinical decision unit, diagnostics center, laboratory, pharmacy and physicians’ offices. It is expected to open in Fall 2018.
