Developers market River District

FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO Beau Rivage, on the left, was the first highrise in downtown Fort Myers in two decades, next to St. Tropez and Rivera. The twin highrises are about complete and expect to close units soon. Downtown developers grouped together lst week for a bus tour of River District projects. More than 30 real estate professionals attended the event guided by Realtors Barbara Bengochea-Perez and Marie Shaw. The pair guided folks through the numerous projects in various stages of development.

"I could really enjoy living here," said Liz Kinsey from VIP Realty as she viewed the scale model of First Street Village. "With all this, I would not need to go far to shop."

Realtors also got their first glimpse of the skyline views of the newly completed High Point West Tower.

Following the tour, Realtors attended a luncheon presentation from Robert Cacioppo, producing artistic director of the Florida Repertory Theatre, and Don Paight, executive director of the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, on the many amenities residents have to look forward to in the River District. Construction update: FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO From the left, Barbara Bengochea-Perez, Cypress Club; Mike Fitzgerald, North Star Yacht Club; Irene Storey, Cypress Club; Gary McNear, Prima Luce; Marie Shaw, Riverwalk at Sunset; Dave Simms, Prima Luce; Jennifer Griffin, North Star Yacht Club, on last week's downtown tour.
>>Cypress Club - Construction is underway on the first of two 32-story towers. Tower I
is 90 percent sold and is expected to be open in 2009.
>>Riverwalk at Sunset - Is actively selling pre-construction units. Construction is expected
          to begin in the next six months.
>>Mediterranee Hotel - 370-unit hotel and condominium project. The site has been
cleared, the sales center is in place and pre-construction sales are underway. FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO Two 32-story towers under construction at the Oasis, near Billy Creek.
>>Indigo Hotel - Construction is underway on this 62-room boutique hotel located on Main St.
>>High Pointe - Tower I is complete and occupied and Tower II is under construction
with a scheduled completion date of late 2007. Both are sold out.
>>First Street Village - Phase I (Publix Grocery Store and retail space) is under construction,
      pre-construction sales are underway on Phases II and III. The project will have
360 condominiums, 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants and 40,000 square
feet of offi ce.
>>One West - Three 32-story highrise condos are planned for the site of the current
Holiday Inn Riverwalk. Pre-construction sales are underway, and construction will begin FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO High Point Place nears completion on the south end of downtown Fort Myers.
in 2007 on Tower 1.
>>Oasis - The first two 32-story towers, of five planned, are under construction. Both
towers are sold out but a few resales are available.
>>St.Tropez and Riviera - 330 units in two high-rise buildings. Both towers are nearly
complete. St. Topez is sold out, only four units are available in Rivera. Units are expected
          to close in the next month.
>>Prima Luce - Two 22-story high-rise buildings with 106 units. The site has been
cleared, and the developer is taking reservations.