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By Gary Tasman Fort Myers’ River District has been on the cusp of a renaissance for several years. The walkable streets, charming shops, outdoor dining, and plentiful events have drawn visitors back to the city’s once-struggling downtown. This month’s opening of the long-awaited Luminary Hotel & Co. may well represent the tipping point in Fort Myers’ downtown transformation from a local favorite to a national conference and vacation destination. For property investors, this change represents a great opportunity. For three decades, Fort Myers has watched convention business flee southward to the islands, Bonita Springs, and Naples, despite boasting a 30,000-square foot conference center. Limited hotel space in the downtown core, combined with the allure of beaches and outdoor recreation in other locations, made these other spots more ideal sites for business travelers and their families. Ready to make a move ? Get started by contacting us. The Luminary and other future developments in Fort Myers will resolve many of these issues, and drive demand for even more development in and around the River District. The 243-room Luminary is one of three downtown-area hotels in the works. A proposed 111-room Hampton Inn at the intersection of Cleveland Ave. and McGregor Blvd. and a 135-room Holiday Inn on the east side of the River District on Second St. are both currently in permitting and will offer lodging at a variety of price points for convention-goers and families. “The Caloosa Sound Convention Center and the Luminary Hotel are just the beginning,” explains Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida. “Business owners want to keep convention attendees and their families downtown, and we can expect to see a lot of growth in entertainment and recreation to keep folks in Fort Myers for their full stay.” The organization behind the Luminary, MainSail Lodging & Development, will be part of that plan. In addition to onsite hotel amenities like a rooftop lounge, coffee roastery, and culinary theater, MainSail will develop an amphitheater in Centennial Park for year-round entertainment. The company is also converting the empty City Pier building into a restaurant and recreational outfitter where visitors can rent a bicycle, paddle board or kayak to navigate the city’s riverfront. With the potential for thousands of new weekly visitors downtown for conferences and meetings, the demand for even more vibrant entertainment offerings will be high, potentially reshaping the look and character of both downtown and midtown Fort Myers. The city’s Midtown Vision Plan will build upon the success of the River District and extend the city’s core beyond Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. As it is currently planned, the city’s vision for Midtown would turn the area just south of the River District into a vibrant, mixed-use community over the next decade. The district would expand the city’s historic downtown while infusing economic development into the area just south of downtown. Anchored by City of Palms Park, Midtown has seen little development or investment since the Boston Red Sox vacated its spring training home nearly a decade ago. “Property values have been relatively static in Midtown, and very little property has changed hands in this area,” says Stoneburner. “But when there has been development in Midtown, it’s been big news. The transformation of the old train depot into the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is one great example.” Smart investors are scouting not only downtown Fort Myers but also Midtown for opportunities to take advantage of the city’s upcoming renaissance. City leaders are committed to revitalizing the Midtown neighborhood, increasing density levels to allow for more multi-unit housing and commercial buildings, and improving the utility infrastructure to support more development. If you currently hold property in or around downtown or midtown Fort Myers, you don’t want to miss out on the budding opportunities in this area. The experts at Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida are equipped with local expertise and access to best-in-class data and analytics to create powerful insights. Cushman & Wakefield’s professionals can provide you with a free property valuation to help you determine the ideal price for your property and discover the optimal time to sell. The landscape of downtown and midtown Fort Myers is changing. Are you ready for it? Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida wants to help you take advantage of this opportunity. Contact-us.

By Gary Tasman Fitness centers. Meditation rooms. Pool tables. Only a decade ago, office amenities like these were nearly unheard of, only offered at the most progressive tech companies. Today, unique services and experiential offerings like these have become the norm at many workplaces. Employers who want to remain relevant and attract top talent are taking notice and adapting their workplace designs to incorporate more employee amenities. COVID-19 taught us that “going to work” doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to a traditional office building. As a result, employers are searching for ways to motivate staff to gather together and connect with each other and their organization. Amenities like team brainstorming hubs, walking paths and relaxation areas provide both an atmosphere for collaboration as well as an inviting environment. Ready to make a move?  Get started by contacting us. “For several years now, we’ve been seeing retailers expand into this experiential space, and this includes experience-based businesses that have developed in our area,” explains Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida. “Now, employers are taking that cue and are trying to provide unique experiences at the office. As companies reassess their space needs for the post-COVID future, employee amenities need to be part of the total equation.” Many companies have the luxury of planning these perks from the ground up. NeoGenomics’ new headquarters in Lee County, for example, will consist of a three-story office building, a two-story laboratory building, and other support structures totaling 150,000 square feet. Also included in the design are a courtyard, an outdoor dining area, a fitness path, cafes on every floor, and teaming spaces to encourage collaboration. However, creating a great workplace experience can be challenging. With five generations now in the American workforce, employees have widely varying tastes and expectations. Employee insights are essential to determine appropriate amenities. Workers need to share their needs, wants, preferences, and current challenges, so employers can create meaningful experiences. After surveying employees, employers nationwide have started offering out-of-the-box amenities like personal errand-running and on-site childcare facilities. Amenities should also mesh with an organization’s corporate culture. For example, many companies have made employee wellness a strategic priority. Those organizations can provide fitness centers or walking paths to aid in physical well-being, and relaxation areas or meditation rooms to promote emotional well-being. “A great example in our area is Scottlynn USA, who is focusing on health and wellness as it builds a new headquarters,” says Stoneburner. “Their plans include a walking path, fitness centers, and even a basketball court on premises. And they’re still adapting. When the coronavirus pandemic started, they improved their plans to add a new air filtration system.” Creating a creative and inviting living space was vital in the design process for Seagate Development Group, the developer for both Scotlynn and Neogenomics, whose new headquarters opened earlier this year. “Seagate paid attention to aesthetics to help promote creativity in its team,” says Stoneburner. “In addition to amenities like coffee bars, lounge areas, and collaborative workspaces, they also made the facility warm and inviting with an outdoor balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows.” The professionals at Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida want to be your go-to team as you reconsider the workplace needs of your company and your employees. If you own a commercial property, this is the perfect time to sell, as there are qualified buyers ready to make a move into a facility that better suits their needs. Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida’s professionals combine their local commercial real estate knowledge and experience with a data-driven, evidence-based approach to create powerful insights and empower your decision making. When it’s time to sell, Cushman & Wakefield’s process is designed to get clients the best possible sales price in the shortest amount of time. The team at Cushman & Wakefield is equipped with the passion, knowledge, creativity, data and inventory to help businesses become better as we all adapt to our new reality. Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida wants to help you develop a plan that best fits your needs. Contact-us.

Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida is being represented by CEO/Principal Broker, Gary Tasman for Part II of Navigating the Impact of COVID-19 webinar series. Tasman joins other top leaders in development, real estate and the land use industry to discuss how the local real estate has responded to the epidemic and the impact to our community. “It is important to provide timely, accurate data to the market in the wake of the post COVID-19 pandemic. This is a way to deliver high level, point specific data, with the top market leaders”, said Gary Tasman, CEO & Principal Broker at Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida. “Commercial real estate is rapidly changing in Southwest Florida, the epidemic has created opportunities in some areas and significant challenges in others.” The Urban Land Institute’s mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating a sustainable, thriving future for communities. They carry forth that mission by serving the Southwest Florida region with pragmatic land use expertise and education. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, August 27th at 3:00pm – it can be seen by registering here: https://swflorida.uli.org/uli-southwest-florida-webinars-events/detail/6E4A2B52-B9B0-4A65-9FD9-D27A49201B25/ Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida provides commercial real estate solutions in every stage of the real estate process, representing clients in buying, selling, leasing, property management, financing and valuing assets.

By Gary Tasman For years, commercial property growth in Cape Coral lagged behind the city’s white-hot residential market. That trend, however, is changing. Commercial development is now booming in Cape Coral, thanks to simple economics. A large supply of residents and consumers creates a large demand for retail and commercial businesses. Cape Coral’s population has grown by more than 25% to 200,000 residents in just the last 10 years. Between now and 2025, we can expect to see it increase by another 10%. Take a quick drive down any of Cape Coral’s main transportation corridors, and you’ll see dozens of sites under construction, new businesses, and development opportunities. This trend will continue for many years to come. Ready to make a move ? Get started by contacting us. For more than a decade, Pine Island Road has been the focus of commercial growth in Cape Coral. This trend started in the early 2000s with the introduction of big box stores like Kohl’s, Target, and BJ’s Wholesale, as well as car dealerships and shopping centers. “Because the city was pre-platted primarily into residential lots, it was challenging for these early developers to gather enough property to build a large commercial complex,” explains Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property SWFL. “But the city’s been very supportive of growth, especially along Pine Island Road. We’re now seeing a second wave of commercial development.” These new projects not only take advantage of vacant space, but also revitalize some stagnant properties. A new Fairfield Inn is under construction near the intersection of Pine Island and Pondella Roads, providing the City’s only hotel north of the Midpoint Bridge. The northeast end of Pine Island Road has also recently seen the opening of a new Nissan dealership, as well as a groundbreaking for Pine Island Village, a large retail and commercial project. “Pine Island Road is just one area where developers have an opportunity to make their mark,” says Stoneburner. “But there are also opportunities along Cape Coral’s other two main arteries, Del Prado Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway. We see health care, entertainment, hospitality, and auto dealerships as strong markets for continued growth.” Cape Coral’s downtown has recently seen a flurry of activity, including new banks, retailers and restaurants, with more on the way. A Chase bank is in the works, as well as the long-awaited Village Square, a 250,000 square foot mixed-use facility that will combine both residential and commercial space when completed. “South Cape is filling in, but there the market isn’t saturated yet,” explains Stoneburner. “Our brokerage recently placed a large property under contract on Cape Coral Parkway near Del Prado, and we’re excited about the development potential.” Investors looking towards the future of the Cape Coral market may want to consider two other areas with strong development potential. Burnt Store Road presents great opportunities for growth, thanks in part to a rapidly growing population in Northwest Cape Coral. The current Burnt Store Road widening project will also benefit developers as access to Northwest Cape and Punta Gorda improves. A second area with great potential lies along US-41 from Del Prado to Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County. While not technically in Cape Coral, this corridor has easy access to the Cape and land available as commercial and industrial sites. A projected I-75 interchange will spark future growth, and smart investors will be ready to take advantage of the opportunity. To learn more about existing space available and development opportunities in Cape Coral, contact Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property SWFL, your go-to team for commercial brokerage needs. Our team knows the community and has access to the data that you need to make your next move in one of the fastest-growing markets in Florida.

By Gary Tasman For years, commercial property growth in Cape Coral lagged behind the city’s white-hot residential market. That trend, however, is changing. Commercial development is now booming in Cape Coral, thanks to simple economics. A large supply of residents and consumers creates a large demand for retail and commercial businesses. Cape Coral’s population has grown by more than 25% to 200,000 residents in just the last 10 years. Between now and 2025, we can expect to see it increase by another 10%. Take a quick drive down any of Cape Coral’s main transportation corridors, and you’ll see dozens of sites under construction, new businesses, and development opportunities. This trend will continue for many years to come. Ready to make a move? Get started by contacting us. For more than a decade, Pine Island Road has been the focus of commercial growth in Cape Coral. This trend started in the early 2000s with the introduction of big box stores like Kohl’s, Target, and BJ’s Wholesale, as well as car dealerships and shopping centers. “Because the city was pre-platted primarily into residential lots, it was challenging for these early developers to gather enough property to build a large commercial complex,” explains Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property SWFL. “But the city’s been very supportive of growth, especially along Pine Island Road. We’re now seeing a second wave of commercial development.” These new projects not only take advantage of vacant space, but also revitalize some stagnant properties. A new Fairfield Inn is under construction near the intersection of Pine Island and Pondella Roads, providing the City’s only hotel north of the Midpoint Bridge. The northeast end of Pine Island Road has also recently seen the opening of a new Nissan dealership, as well as a groundbreaking for Pine Island Village, a large retail and commercial project. “Pine Island Road is just one area where developers have an opportunity to make their mark,” says Stoneburner. “But there are also opportunities along Cape Coral’s other two main arteries, Del Prado Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway. We see health care, entertainment, hospitality, and auto dealerships as strong markets for continued growth.” Cape Coral’s downtown has recently seen a flurry of activity, including new banks, retailers and restaurants, with more on the way. A Chase bank is in the works, as well as the long-awaited Village Square, a 250,000 square foot mixed-use facility that will combine both residential and commercial space when completed. “South Cape is filling in, but there the market isn’t saturated yet,” explains Stoneburner. “Our brokerage recently placed a large property under contract on Cape Coral Parkway near Del Prado, and we’re excited about the development potential.” Investors looking towards the future of the Cape Coral market may want to consider two other areas with strong development potential. Burnt Store Road presents great opportunities for growth, thanks in part to a rapidly growing population in Northwest Cape Coral. The current Burnt Store Road widening project will also benefit developers as access to Northwest Cape and Punta Gorda improves. A second area with great potential lies along US-41 from Del Prado to Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County. While not technically in Cape Coral, this corridor has easy access to the Cape and land available as commercial and industrial sites. A projected I-75 interchange will spark future growth, and smart investors will be ready to take advantage of the opportunity. To learn more about existing space available and development opportunities in Cape Coral, contact Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property SWFL, your go-to team for commercial brokerage needs. Our team knows the community and has access to the data that you need to make your next move in one of the fastest-growing markets in Florida.

Gary Tasman, the CEO of Cushman & Wakefield in Fort Myers, was quoted in the News-Press regarding the future of office space and how it is affected by the current pandemic. “That culture of inter-personal action and relationship-building is really going to be the underlying strategy for almost all office uses,” he said. Additionally, Tasman discusses and gives his predictions based on the results of the Cushman and Wakefield  “XSF@home Survey” which was meant to gauge COVID-19’s impact on the workplace. Read article at Newspress.com

By Gary Tasman COVID-19 has changed the way we all look at retail, both online and traditional brick-and-mortar. As a result, warehouse and retail spaces are in demand as we transition into new ways of doing business. If you have retail or industrial real estate, buyers may be searching for your property right now. In fact, it’s the perfect time to sell for many commercial property owners in our region. For the last decade, we’ve watched online sales slowly climb as a part of overall retail, and recent COVID-19 safe-at-home orders have accelerated this trend. More people are shopping online than ever before. The market research company eMarketer predicts e-commerce will be responsible for about 14.5% percent of total retail sales, or $710 billion, this year. That trend only figures to climb over the next four years, making up 18% of all retail sales by the middle of the decade. Ready to make a move?  Get started by contacting us. This trend has created the need for many companies to expand their production, storage, and distribution capabilities and facilities. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, e-commerce leasing activity is exploding. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, about 35% of industrial leasing activity was related to e-commerce, said Shawn Stoneburner of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property of Southwest Florida. Stoneburner says the first quarter of this year was one of the strongest leasing quarters in three years nationwide. Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida and its access to strong local and national resources are in the perfect position to fill any retail or fulfillment space demand from a vast inventory throughout the region, especially for those tied into the e-commerce boom. With more people staying home and shopping online, projections are that an additional 1 billion square feet of industrial and warehouse space could be needed by 2025. Traditional retail is also back on the rise too, as the nation and Southwest Florida gradually reopen. Despite headlines about closures at national retailers like JC Penney and Neiman Marcus, many brick-and-mortar retailers are seeing an uptick in business, and are on the hunt for new and better commercial space that better meets the “new normal” needs of the consumer. According to data released recently by the US Census Bureau, retail sales, including food services, jumped 7.5% in June after climbing a dramatic 18.2% in May, buoyed by the country reopening its economy. Although record declines were the story in March and April, the June rebound actually surpassed retail sales from June of 2019. Retail categories experiencing positive market changes are sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores, food and beverage stores, building materials, garden equipment and supply dealers, automotive parts and tire stores. Lee County has existing space available that can be converted quickly to meet the needs created by COVID-19. If you own a commercial property, now is the perfect time to sell, as there are qualified buyers ready to make a move. The experts at Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida are your go-to team for commercial property needs. We are equipped with the passion, knowledge, creativity, data and inventory to help businesses find the commercial properties they need to become better because of the pandemic. The team at Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida wants to speak with you, show you our inventory and develop a plan that best fits your needs. Reach us at 239-829-5400 or email timetosell@cpswfl.com.

Certain phrases surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have sparked global conversations, the most notable being social distancing – the entire world now understands the importance of staying six feet away. Across the globe, we’re in different stages of experiencing the pandemic. But, as we begin visualizing life after COVID-19, we must begin to think about what a six feet society will look like and how we will adjust. “The 6 feet rule” isn’t going away any time soon and we at Cushman & Wakefield understand how critical it is to normalize this guideline into everyday life. Eventually, we will all return to work, but we must not forget this golden rule. Introducing the 6 Feet Office The 6 Feet Office is our conceptual idea to help our clients prepare for their employees to return to the office. We’re here to help you prepare for the return to the office. We’re here to help you maintain social distancing while creating an effective workplace. We’re here to help you embrace the new normal. Learn more about the Six Feet Office at https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/netherlands/six-feet-office.

The new normal will be a total workplace ecosystem Through our proprietary Experience per Square FootTM (XSF) tool, Cushman & Wakefield has captured more than 2.5 million data points from workers all over the globe in the pre-COVID-19 era and a further 1.7 million data points from more than 50,000 respondents in the current work from home environment. Our workplace specialists analyzed this data to develop a report on the future of workplace, which gives you an inside look at the unrivaled insights into how employees are coping right now – identifying their key successes and critical challenge. With this data, Cushman & Wakefield has developed a report that provides insight into the future workplace. Read more about The Future of Workplace at https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/insights/covid-19/the-future-of-workplace.