Alex King Group Realtor Bettina Koss (left), Realtor Alex King (center) and Alex King Group Realtor Rita Murray stand on the penthouse roof of Gulfside Twelve, overlooking the Gulf on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg\/Fort Myers Beach Observer<\/p>\n
At first there were 12, now there are five. <\/p>\n
Gulfside Twelve, the newest luxury condo building on Fort Myers Beach, has five units left out of the 12 original that feature views of the beach, the Gulf and even across the street to the canals and the bay that are jaw-dropping and among the best in the island. As an added bonus, Gulfside Twelve features one of the largest and nicest pools on the island. <\/p>\n
There is a price to pay for that kind of beauty. The condos start out at $4.4 million and climb to $5.3 million for the top and lone penthouse left. The penthouse also includes rooftop access for owners and their guests to lounge around at.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are at the forefront of a new standard on the beach,\u201d Realtor Alex King said.<\/p>\n
Built by Tim O\u2019Neill and his Illinois company Dublin Real Estate Investment Group, the condo building sits on property which formerly housed the Carousel Inn. The former quaint, old-Florida motel was purchased by the development group in 2022 for $7 million after Hurricane Ian. A neighboring lot was acquired in 2021 for $4.5 million to make way for the project. The development is broken into three different stacks of four units across two buildings at 6230 Estero Boulevard. Phase one of the project is sold out. There are units available on the first and second floor, and one penthouse unit. <\/p>\n
The living at Gulfside Twelve is a world\u2019s away from the 1960\u2019s era Carousel Inn, which was an affordable vacation spot for families and snowbirds who would sometimes spend months there.<\/p>\n
They do have one thing in common though. The same magnificent panoramic vista view of the beach remains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sand renourishment really worked,\u201d said Alex King Group Realtor Bettina Koss while overlooking the beach from a second floor balcony. \u201cWe have our perfect beach back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Alex King Group is marketing the remaining five residences, which are all 4,000-square-foot condo units.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been strong interest,\u201d Mr. King said. \u201cA lot of people have five or six kids or grandchildren. They are so excited with four-plus bedrooms.\u201d Each unit has four bedrooms plus a den flex suit which can be converted into a living space. There are four bathrooms which connect to each bedroom. <\/p>\n
King said there is a demand for larger condo units where families can get together for seasonal vacations.<\/p>\n
Buyers are \u201cfocused on bringing the family together,\u201d Koss said. \u201cThey are looking to have everybody under one roof\u201d during family get-togethers, she said. <\/p>\n
King highlighted the \u201cbeach to bay\u201d views, with double-glass doors leading to a balcony overlooking the expansive beach and Gulf, and a porch overlooking Estero Boulevard with a birds-eye view into the beautiful canals and bay across the street. It is a rare glimpse into both sides of what makes Fort Myers Beach special. <\/p>\n
Propane fireplaces are located in the living room of each unit, where there are nine-foot ceilings and 10-foot tray ceiling openings. <\/p>\n
The spectacular pool is complimented by a jacuzzi, and there are grills nearby for barbecues. There is a private cabana for each condo owner next to the pool, with storage space. <\/p>\n
Another benefit of the large pool, Koss said, is the small number of units to share it with. <\/p>\n
King said that the buyers so far have been a mix of people who want to live full-time on the beach, and seasonal visitors who want a second home. <\/p>\n
King said the interest has stretched from families in the Midwest to Florida East Coast buyers, and more recently to New York City residents and California residents concerned about potential legislation which could increase taxes for upper-income individuals who own homes there. <\/p>\n
King said the interest from those seeking to flee new tax legislation is increasing. \u201cIt\u2019s really happening big,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
There has also been interest from neighboring condo building owners seeking an upgrade. Those who might be interested in gaining back some rental income should note that renting out of the units as vacation rentals is limited to three times a year with strict time limits. <\/p>\n
As part of a giveback to the community when the project was approved, there is a public access to the beach alongside its north side in between London Bay\u2019s Outrigger Beach Resort property. \u201cThat\u2019s huge for the neighborhood,\u201d King said. \u201cThey (the developers) have done a beautiful job of blending in.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the price tag is a concern, the Dublin Real Estate Investment Group is offering buyers a $100,000 discount for those who purchase a unit before July 30, King said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are trying to find is something like it and there are none available,\u201d King said. \u201cThere is nothing really like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com<\/p>\n