A development group is proposing a 23-story luxury hotel and residential tower with as many as 600 units, along with restaurants, retail space and a public-access marina, at the western edge of downtown Fort Myers near the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
The proposed development would stretch from the Caloosahatchee River at the bend in West First Street south to McGregor Boulevard, encompassing the existing Pinchers restaurant, the Edison Ford Marina and adjacent property occupied by the Christian Science church at the corner of McGregor Boulevard and West First Street.
Grant Phelan, CEO of Phelan Family Brands, which operates Pinchers and other restaurant concepts, is an investor and co-owner of the waterfront property. The parcel is also owned by Grant Pohlmann and John Callis.
A map outlines the proposed River District West development, showing the location of a 23-story hotel and residential tower, public-access marina, pedestrian plaza and retail space along the Caloosahatchee River.
Fort Myers government
“We want to work with the city of Fort Myers and put out something beautiful and fun,” Phelan said. “The access to the river and Edison & Ford Estates and the restaurant, I think it could be a very special development for all of Fort Myers to enjoy.”
St. Louis-based KLM Development is serving as the project’s lead developer. In addition to Phelan, Pohlmann and Callis, the project includes another unnamed financial investor and is seeking additional institutional partners, said KLM principal Mark McLaren. Other members of the project team, including an architect and general contractor, have not yet been selected.
McLaren presented the proposal publicly for the first time at a Fort Myers City Council workshop Jan. 12. The initial discussion focused largely on concerns about the project’s height and density, which would significantly exceed current zoning allowances.
The corner of McGregor Boulevard and West First Street includes property proposed for redevelopment as part of the River District West project near the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
Evan Williams
The development group has spent the past year discussing its vision with city officials and staff, leadership at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and other stakeholders, McLaren said.
The property occupied by the Christian Science church is under contract for purchase, though the sale has not yet closed. KLM plans to use that parcel for a pedestrian plaza and retail shops. The proposal also includes two parking garages.
“We will ultimately be a key anchor in what I would refer to as River District West,” McLaren told council members.
McLaren said the project would help attract event and convention business to downtown Fort Myers and serve as a bridge connecting River District East with River District West and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
KLM hopes to break ground within 18 to 24 months, though McLaren acknowledged the timeline could be longer.
Council members raised concerns about the scale of the riverfront tower, which would be built on a nearly 2-acre parcel zoned urban core. Current zoning allows up to 18 stories and 70 units per acre, but the developers are seeking approval for 23 stories and as many as 600 combined hotel and residential units — roughly 300 units per acre.
“I’m not opposed to anything, but we’re talking about going from 70 units to allowing 300 units per acre,” council member Fred Burson said. “I wish you the best of luck, but that’s a reach. I don’t know if the public will buy into that.”
A conceptual rendering illustrates a pedestrian-oriented plaza and mixed-use development proposed along the Caloosahatchee River at the western edge of downtown Fort Myers.
Fort Myers government
Burson added that the proposal feels more appropriate for a much larger city.
“This is Miami, this project,” he said. “Six hundred units on 2 acres.”
“My comment would be, one building does not Miami make,” McLaren replied
Council member Diana Giraldo echoed those concerns.
“It just feels a little off of scale for being right next to the Edison & Ford Estates,” she said.
In the center of the proposed development, an urban central-zoned parcel allows up to 12 stories and 50 units per acre. The third parcel, along McGregor Boulevard where the church is located, is zoned urban general, allowing up to three stories and 12 units per acre.
Council member Liston Bochette said he strongly opposes placing commercial buildings directly along McGregor Boulevard.
“And I’ll drive a stake into that,” he said.