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A rendering of the proposed new DiamondHead Beach Resort, with an extension to the existing building and a new eight-story building, and new pool. Rendering provided courtesy of DiamondHead Beach Resort
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Coste at DiamondHead Beach Resort. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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Coste at DiamondHead Beach Resort. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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Paige Larson, Patti Jagodzinski, Kim Larson and Kai Larson of Minnesota visited the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort pool. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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DiamondHead Beach Resort pool. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
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Surf Song, Fort Myers Beach
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The DiamondHead Beach Resort is preparing plans for an expansion that would include two new buildings, adding on 57 rooms to their property at 2000 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach.
DiamondHead Beach Resort General Manager Neil Hopgood said the plans call for an eight-story building with 24 units and an addition to the existing 12-story building with an additional 33 units on 12 floors. The current DiamondHead Beach Resort is 12-stories high, or roughly 120 feet high, Hopgood said.
“We’re looking at adding another 33 to the side of the building and our other ask is 24 units in a separate beachfront building between the two buildings, separated by a raised pool,” Hopgood said. The raised pool would be a new pool separating the two buildings. The new building would go near the parking lot close to the existing pool.
The new plans would require approval from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council through a development agreement process.
The original plans for the resort that were approved by Lee County before the incorporation of Town of Fort Myers Beach were for 154 units, Hopgood said. “After a number of delays in the process, the DiamondHead Owners decided to take three floors off the top (33 units) to build the property as a 124-unit resort,” Hopgood said. “The additional 33 units was always considered as Phase 2. We are now looking to add our approved Phase 2 rooms (33 units) as an extension of our existing building to the east, but still one building. We are also asking to construct another 24 units over our parking lot that is next to our existing swimming pool. This building would be along, but landward of the coastal construction lone, which we can not cross. Between our existing building and this new beachside building would be a raised second pool and deck that flows from our existing Terrace deck on the lobby level, up one floor from the ground.”
Hopgood said he believes there is a need for more hotel rooms on Fort Myers Beach.
“With strong 2026 peak-season demand, and the town’s positive restoration momentum, we are confident these additional rooms will support the growing demand. This expansion will inject spending into local businesses, create construction and hospitality jobs, grow occupancy and property-tax revenues for beach renourishment and parks, smooth seasonality, and offer an additional venue for locals and visitors alike.”
The new building would be located on the pool side of the hotel, facing the Surf Song Resort Condominiums at 2088 Estero Boulevard. Hopgood said he met on Wednesday with the condominium association about the plans to be “good neighbors.” He said there were some concerns about the impact of their view, though he said the impact would be no different than homes going up between their two properties.
Hopgood said he plans to file an application with the town in the next two to four weeks.
DiamondHead Beach Resort. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
The current hotel at the DiamondHead Beach Resort has 121 hotel room units, including five floor of timeshare units. Hopgood recently gave a rundown of the plans to the timeshare owners. There are 55 timeshare units.
The hotel was one of the first properties to reopen after Hurricane Ian, and for a long time was the official meeting space for the town council and town advisory committees after the hurricane.
Business was strong this season at the hotel, Hopgood said. The DiamondHead which was named best resort by readers of the Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin in this year’s Best of the Beach awards. Its restaurant, Coste Island Cuisine also won best beachfront restaurant, best fine dining, and several other awards.
“DiamondHead had a very strong first quarter, with a number of days where we could have sold these additional rooms,” Hopgood said. “This looks to be indicative of the other Island Resorts occupancies over peak season, and forecasting shows a trend into a strong second quarter as well. With how far the Island has come in just over three years we are anticipating even more demand as additional businesses open up.”
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com