Google Maps shows it can take 17 minutes to get from State Road 31 to the east side of Babcock Ranch, which is located at the Lee-Charlotte county line, north of State Road 80.
Provided by Google Maps
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Back in 2024, the area In the Know introduced to you as the Unbuilt Triangle was better known for cattle, crops and conservation lands than rooftops, stretching across a vast swath of eastern Lee and Hendry counties, with connections to emerging eastern Collier growth corridors.
While coastal Southwest Florida and the Interstate 75 corridor absorbed wave after wave of growth, a lot of the Triangle continued functioning as working agricultural land, wildlife habitat and the kind of wide-open terrain increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in the region. Developers and planners quietly pointed toward the area as the region’s next frontier.
That’s clearly changing, and indicators can be seen with what’s going on right now with the rapidly rising Kingston community that’s scheduled to debut in October and other projects evolving in the Triangle area.
Here’s what to know.
Barrage of deals, approvals, land purchases, homes, retail commitments
No, cranes aren’t suddenly dotting every horizon, and no, the Triangle isn’t on the verge of becoming the next Cape Coral overnight although the projections say it will some day and we know how quickly that happened north of the Caloosahatchee River.
But the recent barrage of deals, approvals, land purchases, retail commitments and model-home construction including that at Kingston foreshadow what’s to come.
What forms the Unbuilt Triangle, and where is it in Southwest Florida?
The triangle is generally formed by three major corridors: State Road 82 in eastern Lee County; State Road 80 running east toward LaBelle; and State Road 29 in Hendry County.
Viewed from above, the area forms a rough triangle encompassing thousands of acres of ranchland, former agricultural property, conservation lands and undeveloped tracts, with the mushrooming Lehigh Acres serving as a key community within it and the adjacent Babcock Ranch helping drive it.
How many newcomers could eventually call the Unbuilt Triangle home?
Lee County Economic Development Director John Talmage, who’s been making the rounds to local gatherings, has described it to In the Know as one of the region’s most significant future growth areas. According to Talmage, a participant at this week’s forum by Southwest Florida Women in Construction, which was marking its first year anniversary on Sept. 17, the area could eventually accommodate upwards of 450,000 residents.
That’s about double what Cape Coral has at the moment and just short of what all of Sarasota County currently has, creating an entirely new inland population center in Southwest Florida. And when you connect another 350,000 or so future inhabitants in the adjacent eastern Collier County’s Rural Lands Stewardship Area, you’re not too far off of what Lee County’s population is now.
The Unbuilt Triangle is becoming less unbuilt in Southwest Florida
And we’re off and running.
The latest evidence includes detailed plans In the Know revealed online Aug. 26, of two mega shopping centers planned at the doorstep for Lehigh Acres, which LSI Cos. reported in its new data released the following day that by far has led Southwest Florida in single-family permits with more than 2,500 in the past year.
What are the major chains due to arrive in SW Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle?
A Publix and Home Depot are part of this Triangle effort in State Road 82 territory that once largely belonged to cattle, mosquitoes and the Florida panther.
The mosquitoes haven’t left.
What had to happen for Unbuilt Triangle to become reality in Lee County?
Besides a lot of the environmental ramifications that went out the door with the state and local elections of the 21st century, an obstacle facing eastern Lee County growth was the classic chicken-and-egg proposition. Retailers wanted population before investing. Residents wanted stores and services before moving farther east.
Now, with leaders clearing the path, both are arriving together.
The validation that comes with Publix, Home Depot settling in your area
“When major retailers like Publix and Home Depot commit to a new corridor, they’re essentially validating what residential data has already been signalling – population growth is outpacing existing infrastructure in Southwest Florida,” said Compass Florida Realtor Jeremy Olsher.
The Publix project underscores growing confidence among developers that residential growth is reaching a threshold capable of supporting larger-scale commercial investment.
Besides Publix, what’s another major retail center heading to the Triangle?
It’s “a part of Lee County experiencing tremendous residential growth,” said Josh Beyer, senior vice president of development for The Sembler Properties, which is bringing Publix and Home Depot as part of efforts at State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway. “The center will provide convenient access to grocery, home improvement, dining and other everyday services for residents in this fast-growing area.”
Five miles farther east, the evolving Blackstone Corporate Park, is a new 98-acre development adjacent to the growing Mirror Lakes residential community. It has Walmart level visions for a major commercial presence and nationally known tenants, with more than 500,000 square feet of retail space and more than 300,000 square feet of industrial space to the growing area.
‘Tipping point that moves Unbuilt Triangle from emerging to established’
Retail development is a leading indicator of what’s to come. Grocery stores, national retailers and restaurant chains spend enormous amounts of money studying demographics, traffic patterns and population projections before committing to new locations.
“In markets like Lehigh Acres, where affordability has drawn steady migration from higher-cost South Florida counties, this type of commercial buildout can be the tipping point that moves a neighborhood from emerging to established,” said Olsher, who’s been following the East Coast exodus for more than two decades.
What are Publix and Home Depot doing in Lee County’s Unbuilt Triangle?
Publix and Home Depot aren’t just following today’s rooftops. They’re positioning themselves for tomorrow’s: “It signals long-term community investment, not just short-term speculation,” Olsher said.
And tomorrow is increasingly taking shape across multiple corners of the triangle.
How many square miles is Kingston landing adjacent to Unbuilt Triangle?
One of the most significant examples on the Triangle’s edge is Kingston.
The massive Corkscrew Road corridor development east of Estero that extends more than 10 square miles to State Road 82 has spent years navigating planning reviews, environmental scrutiny, regulatory approvals and legal challenges. Six months after his confirmed appointment by President Trump, a federal judge rejected efforts aimed at stopping or at least slowing the project earlier this year, clearing another hurdle for what may become one of the largest master-planned communities in Southwest Florida.
What is happening right now in the Kingston community in Lee County?
Now Kingston has entered a visibly different phase.
The first model homes are under construction, representing the transition from maps and renderings to actual neighborhoods.
When is Kingston development scheduled to open in Unbuilt Triangle?
As In the Know first reported this summer, the community is scheduled to open Oct. 17, when prospective buyers will be able to tour models built by Pulte Homes, Lennar and Neal Communities.
“This project has been in the planning and development stages for years, and seeing the first model homes under construction is an exciting moment for our team,” said Nick Cameratta, partner of Cameratta Companies.
What’s the starting price on homes in Kingston in eastern Lee County?
Kingston South alone, with prices starting in the $400,000s, will include 3,625 homes. Adjacent to it, Taylor Morrison is developing Esplanade at Kingston, a 1,285-home community.
By June, Kingston already had at least 38 detached single-family permits in hand, according to the new LSI stats released Aug. 27. And despite just getting started on the extensive clearing and building, it already ranked eighth among Lee County communities for attached single-family and multi-family permits in the year ending in June.
How many homes planned for Unbuilt Triangle’s Kingston development?
For Kingston, the larger vision is far bigger.
At full buildout, Kingston plans up to 10,000 abodes spread across more than 7,600 acres. The project also includes at least 700,000 square feet of commercial space and a planned K-12 charter school campus that has Miami-Dade County ties.
What kind of entertainment and dining slated for Lee County’s Kingston?
The neighborhood’s amenities are slated to include an indoor sports complex and outdoor recreation spaces, a signature saloon for live entertainment and casual dining and a resort pool with waterfalls and water slides.
Cameratta is partnering with WMG Development to construct commercial space for shopping, dining, wellness and local services at the main entrance to Kingston South. With main offices in the Orlando area and the Midwest, WMG, which has a footprint in Southwest Florida, has a track record of bringing in major retailers and eateries, such as Publix, Walmart, Target and Darden restaurants.
Kingston represents a milestone in long-discussed eastward migration
Whether one acquiesces to or opposes the development, Kingston represents a milestone in the long-discussed eastward migration of growth.
It is no longer just a proposed project. It’s becoming a place.
What land deal involving major developer did Alva area have in August?
The same can be said about activity occurring along the Alva corridor of the Triangle off State Road 80, where the $162 million Alva High School is already rising, ahead of a 2027 debut.
Another clear sign emerged through August’s $34.1 million land transaction involving nearly 800 Alva acres beside State Road 78. Public records show it was bought by Mahala Property Group LLC, an entity affiliated with Neal Communities, which has housing plans in pocket for the acreage immediately south of Babcock Ranch.
What influencing factor helped put in motion Alva area land deal?
For its history, much of the property remained tied to agricultural and ranching operations. Today, its location tells a different story.
The acreage sits in the path of one of Southwest Florida’s fastest-growing development corridors. Just to the north, Babcock Ranch continues expanding. Additional neighborhoods are being approved and built. New residential offerings continue coming online. Population growth is creating demand for housing, retail, schools and services throughout northeast Lee County.
What was a Babcock Ranch game changer helping spur Unbuilt Triangle?
The Babcock Ranch effect can’t be ignored. A decade ago, some observers questioned whether residents would embrace a large-scale community so far inland. Now, Babcock Ranch ranks annually among the top five nationally in home sales among master-planned communities, as inland interest exploded after three hurricanes in three years including 2022’s killer Hurricane Ian, devastated the Southwest Florida coast.
Its success has altered how investors, builders and retailers view eastern Lee County, and that changing perception stretches beyond Lee County lines.
How is Collier County influencing Unbuilt Triangle in Southwest Florida?
In Hendry County, major LaBelle area land deals roll in on nearly a weekly basis while in eastern Collier County, officials have approved major residential projects near the Lee border. Among them are Corkscrew Grove East, which actually hits up against the Triangle near State Road 82.
That and other large-scale Collier developments collectively add thousands of future homes, commercial uses and supporting infrastructure to areas that historically saw little urban growth.
What changes for southeast corner of Unbuilt Triangle in Immokalee?
The mailing address for the bottom southeast corner of the Triangle is Immokalee, which is experiencing changes of its own with the town itself. Chris Hewitt, Aldi regional vice president, said his store is in the final stages of opening there, adding another indicator that retailers are recognizing population growth and consumer demand in areas outside traditional coastal markets.
“We are continuing to make progress on our new store in Immokalee, (and) are excited to welcome the community to their first ALDI,” Hewitt told our reporter Alexa Ryan, who reported on how some residents this year have been chugging nearly 10 miles to the Ave Maria region or double that to LaBelle to gather groceries.
Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Kingston, Publix, Aldi signal a new era for eastern SW Florida growth
Reporting by Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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Under construction on Aug. 28, 2026, The Sembler Properties is bringing Publix and Home Depot as part of efforts at State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway in Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle in eastern Lee County, where nearly a half-million newcomers are slated to live. Provided by The Sembler Properti USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Have an opinion on this topic? Write a letter to the editor and send to letters@naplesnews.com or mailbag@news-press.com. Keep to 250 words or fewer and include contact info. Have more to say? Send guest column of no more than 600 words. Created with Microsoft software. Phil Fernandez/Fort Myers News-P USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Kingston rising in Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle region of east Lee County as Labor Day 2026 arrives in territory once known for wildlife, such as Florida panther. Now, nearly half-million newcomers expected in area roughly bordered by State roads 80, 82, 29. Provided by Cameratta Companies USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Kingston rising in Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle region of east Lee County as Labor Day 2026 arrives in territory once known for wildlife, such as Florida panther. Now, nearly half-million newcomers expected in area roughly bordered by State roads 80, 82, 29. Provided by Cameratta Companies USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Kingston rising in Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle region of east Lee County as Labor Day 2026 arrives in territory once known for wildlife, such as Florida panther. Now, nearly half-million newcomers expected in area roughly bordered by State roads 80, 82, 29. Provided by Cameratta Companies USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Kingston rising in Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle region of east Lee County as Labor Day 2026 arrives in territory once known for wildlife, such as Florida panther. Now, nearly half-million newcomers expected in area roughly bordered by State roads 80, 82, 29. Provided by Cameratta Companies USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
July 2026 residential real estate construction in the State Road 82 and Corkscrew Road corridor of far eastern Lee County near the Collier County line and what is known as Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle. Phil Fernandez/ Fort Myers News- USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
July 2026 residential real estate construction in the State Road 82 and Corkscrew Road corridor of far eastern Lee County near the Collier County line and what is known as Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle. Phil Fernandez/ Fort Myers News- USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
July 2026 residential real estate construction in the State Road 82 and Corkscrew Road corridor of far eastern Lee County near the Collier County line and what is known as Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle. Phil Fernandez/ Fort Myers News- USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
July 2026 residential real estate construction in the State Road 82 and Corkscrew Road corridor of far eastern Lee County near the Collier County line and what is known as Southwest Florida’s Unbuilt Triangle. Phil Fernandez/ Fort Myers News- USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Walls are starting to go up on a new controversial high school in Alva. Photographed on Monday, July 13, 2026. The new school will provide 2000 seats for students and is located on Joel Boulevard and Tuckahoe Road. Andrew West/The News-Press & Nap USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
December 2025: Southwest Florida’s Babcock Ranch from public records research. Provided by Charlotte County USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Location map for a proposed village, known as Corkscrew Grove East, in Collier County. Provided by Collier County USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Map of the site proposed for the Corkscrew Grove East Village in eastern Collier County. Provided by Collier County USA TODAY Network, Reuters
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM.