Developers at Babcock Ranch are expanding industrial opportunities in Charlotte County with the launch of Curry Commerce Center, a new flex industrial development designed to accommodate a range of business needs. 

Built by Kitson & Partners, the project includes eight buildings totaling 255,000 square feet. The center is leasing customizable spaces for industrial, warehouse, showroom and office users, with a site preview planned for May. 

The development aims to address a longstanding shortage of industrial space in Charlotte County, where limited inventory has historically made it difficult to attract manufacturers and other job-creating businesses. 

Site plan outlines Curry Commerce Center layout

A site plan illustrates the layout of Curry Commerce Center in Babcock Ranch. The development offers customizable industrial, warehouse and showroom spaces for tenants.

J. Raymond Construction

Curry Commerce Center offers flexible layouts, allowing tenants to determine how much space they need. Buildings were constructed as shells, with interiors built out based on tenant requirements. Uses could include light manufacturing, storage, distribution or showroom space. For example, a coffee company could use space for roasting operations, while cabinet or closet manufacturers might incorporate showrooms. 

The site is on Curry Preserve Drive, near the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and a fire station, and within convenient access to regional transportation hubs. It is about 25 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport and 28 miles from Punta Gorda Airport. 

Several tenants have already signed on. Sweet Science Boxing & Fitness, a gym focused on boxing-based workouts, was the first to move in. Owner David Bloom said the Babcock Ranch location is his fourth, joining existing gyms in Naples, Estero and Cape Coral. 

First tenant opens at Curry Commerce Center

Members train at Sweet Science Boxing & Fitness, the first tenant at Curry Commerce Center. The gym is one of several businesses moving into the new development.

David Bloom

Other tenants include Solar City Carts, which sells electric golf carts, and Concord Pools & Spas, a retailer of fiberglass pools. 

Local officials and developers say the project fills a key gap in Charlotte County’s development pattern. Much of the area, particularly in and around Port Charlotte, was originally planned with a heavy emphasis on residential growth and limited land set aside for commercial or industrial uses. 

Port Charlotte was developed in the 1950s by General Development Corp., owned by the Mackle brothers, which platted more than 90,000 acres into thousands of residential lots marketed to retirees. 

The imbalance has contributed to gaps in services and employment centers, with some residents traveling several miles for basic needs, such as groceries or health care. 

Curry Commerce Center takes shape in Babcock Ranch

An aerial view shows Curry Commerce Center under construction in Babcock Ranch. The project includes eight buildings totaling 255,000 square feet of flex industrial space.

J. Raymond Construction

By contrast, Babcock Ranch was designed with dedicated space for commercial and industrial development alongside residential growth. As the community has expanded, so has its business base. 

Retail growth continues within the community, as well. A second Publix is expected to open later this year in the MidTown Marketplace, and The Shoppes at Yellow Pine, a 120,000-square-foot retail center along Cypress Parkway, includes national retailers, dining and medical services. 

With the addition of Curry Commerce Center, developers and local leaders say Charlotte County is better positioned to attract businesses, create jobs and diversify its tax base beyond residential properties.Â