The Sanibel Outlets, once a bustling retail hub at the corner of McGregor Boulevard and Summerlin Road, has remained vacant for over two years. Now, a promising transformation is on the horizon.
The development group, Fort Myers Future, plans to turn the site into a cutting-edge, sustainable community known as Grande Calusa. Renderings now offer a glimpse into the future of this exciting project.
Grande Calusa will feature two 20-story, energy-efficient towers with a total of 500 apartments, including 200 workforce housing units—about 40% of the total. The community will also include a 20,000-square-foot performing arts center, a 200-room hotel, public parks, and a variety of restaurants.
“This is unlike anything Florida has seen before,” said Thomas Spiegelhalter, the architect and master planner of the project. “At 15 feet above sea level, it will be resilient, off the grid, and carbon-neutral, with its own power supply.”
The design is inspired by the local Calusa Indian heritage, with features like shell sediment ground, rooftop gardens, and expansive green spaces. While some former outlet shoppers may be disappointed by the limited retail offerings in the new development, many believe the community-driven project will offer far greater long-term benefits.
“I think it’s going to be great for the economy,” said Fort Myers resident Tammy Clements. “With workforce housing included, it’s a great opportunity for those who are starting over.”
However, concerns about traffic congestion and job availability for new residents remain. “The traffic is going to be a challenge,” said local resident Izzy Armstrong, “but it will create jobs and foster a sense of community.”
The demolition of the Sanibel Outlets, which was originally scheduled to be completed by January, has been delayed as materials are being salvaged for use in the new development.
Construction of Grande Calusa is slated to begin early next year, pending county approval. Developers have also hinted that some favorite restaurants from the original outlets may return.
