Cape Coral, FL., April 4, 2008
Garrison Gets Green Light for $25 Million Diplomat Shoppes at Del Prado
Garrison Developer Group of Florida executives announced today they received final approval of the development of The Diplomat Shoppes at Del Prado by the City of Cape Coral on March 6. The Diplomat Shoppes is a $25 million 89,000 square feet mixed use office and retail center slated to break ground this summer.
“We are pleased with the City Council’s commitment to smart growth and their approval to move forward with this large-scale development in Cape Coral,” remarked Rey Ortega, President of Garrison Developer Group of Florida, who is developing The Diplomat Shoppes.
Situated in Lee County, the most rapidly growing county in the state of Florida, Cape Coral is a market considered underserved by national retailers and primed for growth in the retail, commercial and light manufacturing sectors.
“It’s an exciting time to be in Cape Coral,” said Carl Schwing, Cape Coral’s assistant city manager. Schwing spoke recently to hundreds of real estate brokers, builders and developers during the area’s Futurescape 2008 symposium. The Women’s Council of Realtors organized the event, which focused on future growth in the Cape.
The population of Lee County has grown by more than 35% over the past seven years according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Cape Coral is the county’s largest city with Ft. Myers, the county seat, second in population. Known primarily as an affluent bedroom community, Cape Coral is ripe for growth.
“We believe the expanded corner outparcel at the Diplomat Shoppes is an ideal fit for a national retailer such as a national pharmacy, national bank, high-end coffee shop or other brand which seeks high traffic, ease of ingress/egress and the potential for a drive up window,” remarked Mr. Ortega.
Sited near the intersection of Del Prado Boulevard North and Diplomat Parkway East, just North of Pine Island Road, the Diplomat Shoppes property consists of 9.17 acres designated as commercial/professional office. This center was originally intended for approximately 89,000 square feet, however the City of Cape Coral requested the developer to acquire two additional parcels situated in proximity to the development. The site is therefore now expected to exceed 108,000 square feet of commercial real estate composed of approximately 76,485 square feet for retail and approximately 32,000 square feet office, with more or less 502 parking spaces. The flexible and unique design of the center incorporates up to 24 end corner units to allow tenants maximum exposure and visibility with units’ spaces ranging from a single office of 766 square feet to 24,975 square feet of contiguous ground retail space for a large single tenant.
Civil engineering and site plans have been completed. Ground Breaking is expected to begin in the summer of 2008 and a construction period of nine months with delivery to the first retail and office occupants in the spring of 2009.
Market America Realty Investments, Inc., a Ft. Myers Real Estate Services Firm announced that the firm has been selected as the exclusive marketing and leasing agents for The Diplomat Shoppes at Del Prado in Cape Coral.
For more information on the retail or office space at this location please contact Stephen Luta, CCIM or Alec M. Luta, CCIM at 888.821.7009 or visit http://www.diplomatshoppes.com/.
ABOUT GARRISON DEVELOPER GROUP OF FLORIDA
Garrison Developer Group of Florida (GDG) is a development company owned and managed by an experienced team of professionals who are focused and committed to bringing creative development solutions and quality construction projects to Florida. Founded by Rey Ortega, GDG specializes in land acquisition, real estate development and management, architectural design and engineering, hotel, office, retail and luxury residential development and operation along with construction and management. http://www.gdgfl.com/
