A rendering shows the proposed Mission Grove of Estero senior community, which would offer independent living, assisted living and memory care on a single campus near Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road.
Estero government
The developer Leo Brown Group proposed a 163-unit apartment complex for seniors, Mission Grove of Estero, that would allow residents to transition as they age from independent living to assisted living and memory care.
Company representatives presented the plan at the village of Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board meeting July 21. The Carmel, Indiana-based real estate development firm specializes in the “seamless age-in-place,” or continuum of care, concept.
The model is a leading trend among residential developments for Southwest Florida seniors, said Bruce Rosenblatt, a senior housing adviser, elder care advocate and founder of Senior Housing Solutions, who is not associated with the Leo Brown project.
“Many (senior and assisted living) communities, especially the good ones, have long waiting lists,” Rosenblatt said. “That concept seems to be the trend right now, to offer independent living with basically aging in place, so you don’t have to move to a separate building and separate wing.”
The Village of Estero Planning, Zoning and Design Board reviews plans for Mission Grove of Estero during its July 21 meeting. Board members recommended design and landscaping changes before the project moves forward.
Estero government
Rosenblatt added that he would encourage developers to build more larger units for couples, who sometimes squeeze into one-person studios.
“The challenge that I see out there is that land is such a premium, and developers tend to try to squeeze as many units as they can on that land,” Rosenblatt said. “A lot of my clients are couples and they want larger apartments.”
Leo Brown’s Estero project remains in the planning and design stages and is likely to be modified if it moves forward.
The company’s presentation to the planning board showed an initial architectural plan featuring apartments, parking and outdoor spaces geared toward single residents and their guests.
Founded in 2006, Leo Brown provides real estate development, construction and facility management services through its affiliates. The company says its portfolio includes $1.1 billion and 3.5 million square feet of healthcare and real estate developments across the Midwest and Southeastern United States.
The company has one other Florida development, Mission Grove at Stoneybrook, which opened earlier this year in Winter Garden. If the Estero project moves forward, it would add to the area’s growing number of age-in-place communities.
Nearby Keystone Place at Bonita Springs opened last year.
Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living continuum care community in North Naples, completed a 53-resident assisted living and memory care facility in 2025 and opened Belle Isle, a 67-unit independent living building, this year.
The preliminary site plan for Mission Grove of Estero outlines residential buildings, amenities, parking, courtyards and outdoor spaces planned for the proposed 7-acre development.
Estero government
The nonprofit Shell Point Retirement Community in the Punta Rassa area also is adding Vista Cay, a 58-resident independent living tower scheduled to open next year.
Leo Brown’s developments account for demographic trends, such as population growth, aging patterns, income levels and household characteristics, according to its website.
“We see favorable demographic trends with the population down here growing in general,” said Leo Brown Managing Director and Partner Bill Morton. “And obviously the (Baby) Boomer population is growing.”
Morton said the company was attracted to Estero because of its building standards and central location.
“We look at the 3- and 5-mile radius from a site,” he said. “And we really liked what we saw. It’s a really nice community, very high development standards with the integrity of the architecture (and) very well thought out.”
Concept images highlight courtyards, gathering spaces and architectural features proposed for Mission Grove of Estero, a senior community designed around an age-in-place model.
Estero government
The facility would occupy 7 acres near the corner of Three Oaks Parkway and Corkscrew Road. Company materials say it would offer “true age-in-place flexibility, allowing residents to transition between care levels while remaining within the same thoughtfully crafted environment.”
Preliminary architectural plans call for a Mission Revival-style campus with a three-story independent living wing, dedicated assisted living and memory care facilities, a kitchen and dining area, pool, courtyard and other amenities.
Estero planning board members advised Leo Brown’s architect to make the building look less institutional and incorporate more trees and courtyard space into the landscaping, among other suggestions.
An aerial rendering illustrates the proposed layout of Mission Grove of Estero, including independent living, assisted living and memory care buildings surrounding shared amenities.
Estero government
Leo Brown is seeking a parking deviation that would allow 0.75 spaces per memory care unit and 1.25 spaces per independent living unit — about 100 fewer spaces than Estero’s current requirements for residents, guests and employees. Company representatives said that would still exceed typical resident demand. The facility also would offer a shuttle service.
Many area senior communities advertise comprehensive care options. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation oversees official Continuing Care Retirement Communities, also known as Life Plan Communities, that combine independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.