Six Critical Questions Part 6: What Are Some of Southwest Florida’s Largest Commercial & Public Sector Construction Projects?
This article is the final edition of a six-part series focusing on the most critical questions about development and commercial property in Southwest Florida. The end of 2023 saw two landmark construction projects come to an end: Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach, and Sunseeker Resort in Port Charlotte, both of which were long-awaited developments that changed the profile of their communities. These hospitality projects will soon be joined by four additional large-scale hotels in Collier County, which combined will total more than $1.4 billion in development. However, the majority of our region’s new construction projects are focused on the needs of our rapidly growing population rather than our traditional economic base of tourism. This brings us to the final question in our six-part series: What Are Some of Southwest Florida’s Largest Commercial and Public Sector Construction Projects? Over the next five years, Southwest Florida will see substantial development across various sectors, including commercial and public infrastructure projects tailored to support our expanding community. Educational infrastructure will receive a boost with multiple new schools coming in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. Combined, the new educational ventures in our region will reach more than $3.3 billion in the next half-decade, but represent only a portion of our region’s largest construction projects. Medical & Medical Office Lee Health plans to invest more than $750 million into fresh community health initiatives. This year, the hospital system completed the expansion of its Surfside outpatient center in Cape Coral. Lee Health has also broken ground on a new 60-bed rehabilitation hospital in collaboration with Encompass Health, slated for completion in 2025. However, the system’s most notable upcoming project is the construction of a new hospital and medical campus on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. Southwest Florida International Airport Already one of the nation’s fastest-growing airports, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) envisions further expansion. This includes a $331 million terminal expansion, Lee County’s second-largest public works project ever. However, the terminal expansion is just a fraction of RSW’s $1.4 billion overall growth plan, which includes its ambitious Skyplex development. Infrastructure and Hurricane Recovery Projects The topic of traffic congestion is always top-of-mind for Southwest Florida residents, prompting several infrastructure projects meant to alleviate some of the many commuter challenges exacerbated by a growing population. These include the long-awaited replacement of the Cape Coral Bridge, expected to begin in 2026 or 2027, and numerous road expansion projects across the region. Beyond just transportation improvements, total infrastructure investments and expansions in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier Counties will total north of $1 billion. Finally, it’s crucial to address the economic impact generated by our region’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian. Over the next five years, projects designed to rebuild and reinforce our community will ignite construction activity valued between $60-$110 billion. The Commercial Construction Cycle Construction spending has a ripple effect on the economy. These improvements to our community will do more than just make Southwest Florida an even more desirable place to live. As our expansion continues, it will also foster job creation and population growth. The data suggest that Southwest Florida will lead the state in economic expansion for the foreseeable future. How will these projects impact you and your investments? The team at Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida (CPSWFL) has an intimate understanding of our region’s economic potential and commercial property landscape. Reach out to the Commercial Property Experts at CPSWFL with your questions. To contact us, use our online contact form or call 239-489-3600 and consult with an expert today.
