Public invited to Old San Carlos/ Downtown celebration

COURTESY PHOTO Fort Myers Beach's newest resort condominium Harbour House at the Inn. The developers of Fort Myers Beach's newest resort condominium are kicking off the tourist season and sharing their future plans for the Old San Carlos/ Downtown neighborhood with the local residents.

Harbour House at the Inn and the Matanzas Inn Resort will be hosting a public open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 420 Old San Carlos Blvd..

Both projects are owned by Old San Carlos Development Group, LLC.

"We want our friends and neighbors to come see the beginning of Fort Myers Beach's newest condo hotel and the future plans of the Matanzas Inn Resort," said principal Doug Speirn-Smith. "We are committed to the future of Fort Myers Beach and are excited about the plans we have to reinvigorate the beach's downtown/ Old San Carlos neighborhood."

Events include a cookout with free hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments as well as live entertainment and hard-hat tours of Harbour House at the Inn, a mixed-use resort condominium now under construction.

In 2006, the Matanzas Inn Restaurant and Upper Deck were extensively remodeled as the first phase of a number of redevelopment efforts in the Times Square/Old San Carlos Boulevard's Downtown District being coordinated by the Matanzas Inn team. Harbour House broke ground in the spring with a planned opening in the Fall of 2009. This mixed-use, 34-unit resort condominium is located adjacent to the Matanzas Inn and is the first of three phases planned. The Harbour House site was the former location of the Dockside Sports Pub, a popular restaurant since 1999. The developers plan to reopen the pub in a new, updated space within the Harbour House building.

Next year also marks Matanzas Inn's 25th year in operation. Located on the scenic back bay of Estero Island, the Inn prides itself in serving fresh local seafood, steaks and more to beachgoers wanting a special experience since 1984.

"Many residents are excited about the changes going on in the Downtown area," said Speirn-Smith. "Old San Carlos Blvd, from the bay to the beach, will have a variety of retail and entertainment-related businesses on the ground floor of the new buildingsincluding Harbour House. It will be an interesting, quality addition to the neighborhood."

Matanzas Inn has become a favorite dining or drink hangout for local and tourists alike due to its spacious outside deck where diners will often witness dolphins frolicking and feeding in the water. The restaurant's Upper Deck Bar offers sweeping views and live music seven nights per week. With ample boat dockage, the Inn is also a popular weekend gathering spot for water aficionados.

The Matanzas Inn Resort is located at 416 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach. For more information, call 463-0110 or visit www.matanzasinn.com.