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More details available for Founders Square development




The Pointe at Founders Square will have as many as eight restaurants on the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. TIM ATEN / NAPLES FLORIDA WEEKLY

The Pointe at Founders Square will have as many as eight restaurants on the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. TIM ATEN / NAPLES FLORIDA WEEKLY

Q: What’s the update on Collier Boulevard and Immokalee Road that we thought would be shops and restaurants?

— Lori Ricci, North Naples

A: Simultaneous construction on four different building projects progresses daily at Founders Square, the mixed-use development emerging at the former Pelican Nursery property on the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard.

The joint effort by Barron Collier Companies, Trinity Commercial Group and Metro Commercial has quickly taken shape on more than 55 acres. A 400- unit apartment community, a two-story medical office building and a three-story self-storage center are all under construction together with the development’s conversation piece: The Pointe at Founders Square, a 12-unit retail center that will be dominated by at least eight restaurants.

Since the last major update on Founders Square in December, a few more tenants and some more details are known about The Pointe and the development, in general.

Founders Square dominates the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. Taking shape now are The Pointe, foreground, a Physicians Regional Healthcare System medical center, right, and a selfstorage facility and 400-unit apartment complex, center. COURTESY / BARRON COLLIER COMPANIES

Founders Square dominates the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. Taking shape now are The Pointe, foreground, a Physicians Regional Healthcare System medical center, right, and a self-storage facility and 400-unit apartment complex, center. COURTESY / BARRON COLLIER COMPANIES

Two national chains and another local restaurant have signed on for units at The Pointe. At more than 5,600 square feet, the third Collier County location of Outback Steakhouse will occupy one of the largest units in the 39,000-square-foot retail hub with high visibility on that hard corner.

Another location of the homegrown Slicers Hoagies is taking a 1,365-square-foot unit in The Pointe. South Florida native Billy Francis launched his first local sandwich shop in 2017 at Marquesa Plaza in Naples and his second two years ago in the University Village Shops in Estero.

Southwest Florida will be introduced to I Heart Mac & Cheese and More when it opens later this year at The Pointe. It’s the only restaurant coming to The Pointe that’s not already represented elsewhere in the county.

The fast-casual restaurant concept specializes in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. In addition to classic mac ‘n cheese, the eatery includes extraordinary spin-offs such as cheeseburger mac, buffalo chicken, chicken Parmesan, meatball Parmesan, pepperoni pizza, Philly cheesesteak and the Cuban. Diners are invited to build their own with choices such as bacon, broccoli, jalapeños, lobster, marinara, pesto and short rib atop bases of pasta, broccoli, cauliflower, quinoa, tater tots or gluten-free pasta.

 

 

Based in Boca Raton, I Heart Mac & Cheese is a growing chain with four locations in Florida and 10 other restaurants between Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, New York and Texas. The local franchisee is Alfonso Olivos, a Naples native who has a full-time job in the banking and finance field.

“I believe in the concept and I love the location,” Mr. Olivos said. His 1,355-square-foot unit will include 440 square feet of outdoor seating.

As earlier announced, other restaurants coming to The Pointe this year include Fuji Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro, Skillets, South Street Grill, and Tacos & Tequila Cantina. Although previously announced as coming, a third location of Palumbo’s Pizzeria will not be opening at The Pointe.

The Pearl Founders Square Apartments will have 400 units on the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard.

The Pearl Founders Square Apartments will have 400 units on the southeastern corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard.

Retailers planning locations there include Collier Urgent Care, Luxury Nails & Spa and Salon Bellezza.

“We have three units that haven’t been spoken for,” said David Genson, president of development at Barron Collier Companies.

Heatherwood Construction is expected to complete the shells at The Pointe early in July, which will give tenants enough time to build out the units for late-fall openings, Mr. Genson said. “Primarily, most people will be ready fourth quarter some time,” he said.

On more than 5 acres of vacant commercial land directly behind The Pointe, a separate retail shopping center is planned. More than 48,500 square feet of retail space is proposed for The Plaza at Founders Square, according to county pre-application development records from May. Specific stores or types of businesses for the plaza are not available yet.

Life Storage, right, and The Pearl apartments are under construction near the Immokalee Road entrance to Founders Square mixed-use development.

Life Storage, right, and The Pearl apartments are under construction near the Immokalee Road entrance to Founders Square mixed-use development.

Fronting Immokalee Road just east of The Pointe, two of Founders Square’s seven outparcel lots have buyers so far. First Florida Integrity Bank plans a 3,300-square-foot bank building with drive-thru lanes on 1 acre, while 7-Eleven plans a 4,770-square-foot convenience store, a gas station with eight fueling stations and a freestanding car wash on 1.8 acres. Of the five remaining outparcels, expect businesses such as automotive services, banks and fast-food restaurants, Mr. Genson said.

The 400-unit residential portion of Founders Square that borders the southern and eastern edges of the property has been renamed The Pearl Founders Square Apartments by Georgia-based Davis Development, the developer and manager of the proposed upscale one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with a resort-style pool and amenities. Originally intended to honor Naples founder Walter Haldeman, The Haldeman Luxury Apartments was the name previously announced for the complex, which occupies nearly half of Founders Square. The certificate of occupancy for the first apartment building is expected in October, Mr. Genson said.

 

 

Fronting Collier Boulevard, or 951, at the signalized entrance into Founders Square, Naples-based Physicians Regional Healthcare System is leasing a nearly 35,000-square-foot medical office building. In the middle of Founders Square, Life Storage will open a climate-controlled, 110,000-square-foot self-storage facility this summer that includes wine storage with separate security access, wine-specific temperature and humidity controls, and an independent, backup generator system. ¦

“Tim Aten Knows” is published each week in Naples Florida Weekly. Mr. Aten is managing editor of Gulfshore Business magazine. Email questions to TimAtenKnows@floridaweekly.com. Follow @ TimAtenKnows on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

69 responses to “More details available for Founders Square development”

  1. Dee says:

    Once again it seems parking spaces at the Pointe will be like every restaurant built in the last few years…non-existent. Across the street at NY Pizza is a great example. Not enough spaces for all the people visiting those businesses. I can name more but the example stands for every other strip location in the county.

    • Eric Zorn says:

      How do you know there is a shortage of parking?

    • Diana OHalloran says:

      Outback Steakhouse… 🙁 How about something decent like a nice brewery with outdoor seating!

      • Karen Hansen says:

        I agree! Brewery with nice patio, and or something with nice ambiance good quality food like BrickTops or Brios, True Food.

      • johhny a pino says:

        Who actually thinks Outback steak house is Good ? people don’t have taste, Try Connors Steak House for once, then you’ll see what is a Great Place to eat ! Can’t even Imagine the traffic and how will they merge into Immokalee Rd or/and Collier Blvd.

  2. Ro says:

    This was supposed to have been a Mercato-like plaza; a new hub like the one in Naples Park. How does a storage facility attract anyone at this prime location? Unreal!

  3. Judylee says:

    Just what Naples needs …more fast food restaurants 😞

  4. Alexandra says:

    I wish they would bring back Paradise wine or a place like it. Just a nice place to listen to nice chill music, bands would be there , dancing and all different wines and appetizer type foods. Real relaxing for ALL ages

    • Jorgie Arndt says:

      I agree! We need another place like Paradise Wine. There is nothing like that there n Naples. It had a huge dance floor and great live music.

    • Heidi says:

      So disappointed with the businesses that are coming! A storage locker, Outback, fast food, what a joke. I agree Paradise Wine or a brewery would be great. This isn’t even close to the Mercado. What happened?

  5. Holly says:

    What a waste of 55 acres, this is so disappointing. Where are the upscale restaurants, high end grocery store, theater, no real thought given to the needs of the Northeast Naples communities. A new Mercato, not anywhere near it. My excitement has turned to sadness.

    • Joe says:

      Agree 100%

    • Robert May says:

      How sad that the dominant central feature in this development is a self-storage facility! This is ugly, and the development looks poorly planned – from the haphazard placement of the cheap looking buildings to the obvious lack of any commitment to beautiful landscaping. This developer cheaped out and it shows. More traffic and more mediocrity in Naples. It looks more like Fort Myers everyday. Something much nicer could have (and should have) been developed on this site. How sad.

    • Jorgie Arndt says:

      I agree! We need more upscale restaurants.
      What happened to another Mercato?

      • Jane says:

        Not everyone is rich in naples. It’s nice to have little restaurants like the ones coming here. Go downtown or to mercato if you want to spend over $200 on meal. Especially on this side of town, the last thing we need is unaffordable dining.

    • Fran says:

      I am just moving here from NY and one of the draws was having a Mercato in my area!
      What’s going on?? So upset. I’ve spent a lot of money to be here.

      • Vince Marino says:

        Since you are too lazy to drive to Mercato, but want to spend money and show-off, then hire a private car and driver to take you to Mercato or downtown – See how easy this problem is solved .

        • Fran says:

          We’re not too lazy to drive anywhere and everywhere. We’ve driven back And forth from NY to FL countless times. We’re not rich either! I was merely inquiring because this project does not seem to be what it was pitched to us as a selling point for our new home in lovely Naples. Happy to drive to Mercato etc. or walk, bike or drive to Founders square to support our nearby businesses.

      • Steve D says:

        This development is a huge disappointment it is a low end development nothing even close to high end restaurants and shopping a bunch of junk retail shops and terrible restaurant chains….DISAPPOINTED..!!!

    • Fay says:

      This is not a high end area. You need to head to 5th Avenue for that. Outback is a strong company who has great credit and will pay the rent.

  6. Sherri Hicks says:

    Should have just left the tree farm there. What a waste of prime space!!

  7. Carol Ann Forbes says:

    Gas station, storage, crap food, sounds like an area that won’t get my business.

  8. Kris says:

    So disappointing…feels like a bait and switch, plus the new stop lights will make a disaster of Collier Blvd.

  9. Lisa says:

    This really is not what we are expecting. Low class unhealthy restaurants we don’t even eat fast food. Someone dropped the ball on this one.

    Good luck not getting my business

  10. Anne C says:

    Wishing that they would have given this more thought. I think some nice high end restaurants would have been nice and some convenient stores to shop.

  11. Diane says:

    So much negativity. I believe there are many folks nearby (like me) who appreciate moderately priced restaurants. There are plenty of high end restaurants already in Naples!! I can go to those restaurants when I want gourmet food. It’s great to have more options!

    • bob says:

      I would like to see MORE less expensive mom and pop type dining options and less chains regardless of price point. The narcissistic demands for more overpriced pretentious food establishments that end up filled with the “let them eat cake” crowd are a real turn off.

      • John says:

        I agree100%

      • Dee says:

        Yes, smaller quality businesses .a small sit down dessert or bakery. We need quaint, walkable, night out area. Not chains and storage units. Our commissioners need to reach out to small businesses and make it appealing to them to stay in Naples.

    • Tony says:

      Hey y’all, let’s be positive and check it out once complete. These are private businesses that will open in the plaza that have developed business cases showing these will be successful locations. If any individual type of restaurant doesn’t work out, another will move in. Let the free market work folks. Ultimately, we will get want works.

    • John says:

      Well said! Complain, Complain,Complain. Stay home.

  12. Sue Crooks says:

    Wow how disappointing!

  13. Adrienne says:

    Another Nail Salon. The entire plan is a waste of space. Apartments will bring just too many cars to this already jammed area. So fed up!

  14. J. Papp says:

    I am very disappointed in what I see and hear about Founders Sq… Where are the developer’s brains? There are thousands of homes up this end of Naples that have even more thousands of people here now and coming that LOVE to go out to a nice restaurant three or more days a week for not only breakfast but lunch and especially dinner. Hugh churches with thousands of people w/ no place to go after service. I do NOT mean McDonalds. New Jersey/ New York has more Upscale Diners that I can even count. ALL very successful, Free standing franchise restaurants ( with the exception of Mercado and Waterside type ) are not what is needed..Even a few women’s wear and even mens wear is needed for mid to upscale. Please FIX IT….
    Yes, You better re-evaluate and get what is

    • Glen Muir says:

      Agreed, as a Snowbird from Canada we look forward to quality and not fast food style restaurants and clothiers. We too, from reading though this was a Mercado style development.
      And please, those who say we can go to 5th Ave etc., stop, as it is nice to have in our own backyard. especially with a huge populations nearby.

  15. Eileen Layton says:

    Disappointing

  16. Caroline E EVans says:

    So these will be rental apartments – not individually owned condos?

  17. Cj Mc says:

    Yes disappointed thought wasn’t sold for appatrments

    GUESS WE ALL SHOULD GO TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
    AND STOP PLANNING BOARD FROM SELLING US OUT !

  18. Lynda Majewski says:

    No fast food needed. Need restaurant to enjoy a special dinner.

    Venetian village is a nice shopping area. Has great restaurants and stores.

    • LISA says:

      I AGREE 100%… UGLY., SO DISAPPOINTING. I AM MOVING OUT. ‘STORAGE UNITS’ PLEEEEEEASE……HORRIBLE.

  19. Lisa says:

    IT’S HORROBLE……VERY DISAPPOINTING….. VERY UGLY PLACE….. I AM MOVING OUT.

  20. VMiner says:

    I’m reading all these posts on here with people complaining about the growth at this intersection… all it sounds like to me is a bunch of whiny people who are just selfish! Just remember, this land was here unsettled till you first started building. Is that fair? Whoever owned the property and sold it did whatever they needed to just like the people who first started building out in the estates. Stop your complaining and just enjoy what’s coming

  21. JP says:

    How about a gym…like Planet Fitness

  22. Alton Helm says:

    This is not a minor gripe at all. This is a permanent massive mistake that may never be corrected in our lifetime. What happened to the pitch from the beginning that this was to be the long waited oasis, Mercato-like appeal that does not exist anywhere in this corridor? Planning commission did not raise attention to the needs of our community for a movie theater, something polar opposite of a strip center, something that would improve lives and an area we would support and feel prideful. No one is upset with the owners of the businesses who are landing there. This is about the horrific planning and approval that should be used a lesson for this entire area the the giant example of what is wasteful, squandered and lack of caring on the part of developer and someone locally not pushing for higher standards. All the comments made here were correct about this ridiculous blunder and it is permanent.

  23. Bernadette says:

    These stores will not improve the area. It will make it seem more Honky Tonk.

  24. Jim S says:

    Classic example of over-promising and under-delivering!

  25. OLJ says:

    Ugh, so disappointing. With so many nicer developments nearby like The Quarry, Esplanade, Valencia Trails, Twin Eagles, Heritage Bay and many more why not have a couple nicer restaurants? We don’t want another bar and grill or fast food. We have plenty of those. We want good food and a nicer place to dine with some entertainment so we don’t have to drive a half hour. Even some moderate restaurants would be a great help. Not another NY Pizza, Pelican Larry’s, Stevie Tomatoes – we have those! I am not saying those are not good places but it just isn’t something many of us want. And, we, and most of our friends do not go to those at all or very often. Please reconsider this and find a spot for some nicer restaurants!!!

  26. Sara Sandor says:

    Movie theater , upscale restaurants and moderately upscale retail shops .
    Yes , builder/ planning authorities of Founders Square please listen to the future and potential customers requests ! Hoping not too late !!!!!!

  27. Tim says:

    Total disappointment! Another high density development along with the others being simultaneously built and a weak cadre of restaurants and retail. This isn’t close to what was expected. Come on planning board, you must do better than this…..

  28. Luis Martinez says:

    Didn’t expect this development to be a low end site.
    People are say they expected it to be like Marcado which would have been nice that way we don’t have to drive so far to enjoy a great nite out with family and friends and put more money into marcado area.
    You make it sound great but we have 2 Pizzerias
    In New York Pizza and El Primo.
    As for the Apartments, it would have been great if they were condos and who’s to say it’s Low income apartments.
    Let’s not put the whole blame the Commissioners but also the mayor who would has a say on this project.

  29. Joe Joe says:

    And no one seems to be following the future plans of a ‘flyover’ in that corridor!

  30. Daniel says:

    We just purchased a villa and we’re told
    A Mercato style mall was coming. I felt that would definitely increase property values and area prestige. I am disappointed that has the “strip mall “stores and apartments.

  31. Steve Ritter says:

    The article said there are 3 units available, those that don’t like what is coming are free to start what they want

  32. T says:

    We were told that it would be similar to Mercato. Instead we got a storage facility (some say looks like a prison) and a hardware store that will face the back side of a gas station and out parcel dumpsters. Work force housing residents/tenants will be walking (crossing 6 lanes of traffic) to Pelican Larry’s, Stevie Tomatoes, Ill Primo, Sakura, NY Pizza, etc. for dining and entertainment. 951 and Immokalee will now have a night life. Is that a good thing?

  33. Joan says:

    I agree with everyone who commented about how disappointing Founders Square turned out to be. It’s like a strip mall in the middle of a very beautiful area of Naples. I went to the first county meeting years ago when the developer described that this would be a beautiful and engaging (Mercado like) mall. Well that was a lie. They even said parking and traffic concerns would be addressed properly. Another lie. It’s all about the money for the developer and not for the needs of the community. Trashy looking. I’m disgusted.

  34. Leo says:

    The apartments could very well be for low income housing mandated by the Federal Government. That would explain all the fast food, chain type mediocre restaurants planned
    for the site, rather than Mercado type restaurants and shops.
    Wouldn’t you think the developer would rather sell condos than build rental units?

  35. Dean Jones says:

    Builders sold the neighborhood at very high prices saying there is a Mercato like mall coming up here.

    Now they are trying to neutralize by calling “us” selfish people for writing such comments.

    If people out here stand as one unit, I think we should take this UP LEGALLY. NO WORDS, JUST ACTION NOW. Are you with me?

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