Shalimar Beach Resort, located at 2823 W. Gulf Drive, has announced that it is now accepting reservations for October 2024 and beyond, making it the first Sanibel Island resort to be completely rebuilt following Hurricane Ian. The newly reconstructed resort also marks the first ground-up resort development on the island in nearly 40 years.
A Milestone in Rebuilding Sanibel
Stevens Construction recently celebrated a major milestone by topping off construction on the 33-room resort, which sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The resort, originally built in 1959, was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and its reconstruction has been a carefully planned effort. The soft opening is scheduled for September 28, coinciding with the third anniversary of the hurricane.
“I’m excited,” said Shalimar owner Sean Niesel. “We’ve got four generations of Niesels who are excited. It’s just a lot of planning and logistics.”
Resort Features and Accommodations
The $15 million project consists of seven buildings totaling 52,000 square feet and will offer:
- 21 hotel rooms
- 10 one-bedroom villas
- 2 two-bedroom villas
- Kitchenettes in all 33 units, equipped with a full-size microwave, refrigerator, and stove
Rates will start at $389 per night in October, with prices increasing throughout the peak tourist season.
Construction Challenges and Resilience
Building directly on the Gulf of Mexico has presented unique challenges. Mark Stevens, president of Stevens Construction, noted the difficulties of working near the water, including unexpected flooding, the need for de-watering, and disruptions caused by three storms during the construction process. The biggest challenge, however, has been logistics, particularly in transporting subcontractors and materials due to heavy traffic on and off the island.
Despite these obstacles, the project remains on track, with 50 to 60 workers on-site daily. The company has also partnered with OSHA to maintain rigorous safety protocols, including both scheduled and random inspections.
Built for the Future
The new Shalimar Beach Resort has been designed with hurricane resiliency in mind. The structure includes 577 concrete pilings for added stability, along with impact-resistant doors and windows, reinforced walls and roofing, and specialized turtle-friendly lighting to meet environmental standards for beachfront properties.
“The way we’re designing these buildings now is far different than they were 40 years ago,” Stevens said. “The whole building is a much harder construction than before.”
Reservations can now be made through Shalimar Beach Resort’s newly relaunched website. For more information and booking details, visit www.shalimarresort.com.
