The Fort Myers City Council listened to a proposal for a new build on Jan. 12, 2026. Developer Mark McLaren of KLM Development wants to build a 23-story tower near the Edison Ford Winter Estates. The building would include 250 to 300 hotel rooms, up to 600 combined residential and hotel units, retail space, plus an expanded marina.
The proposal spans three parcels. Each has different zoning restrictions. The main parcel allows 18 stories and 70 units per acre, but McLaren’s plan requires approval for 23 stories and roughly 300 units per acre — more than four times the current limit. The site includes property where Pinchers and a Christian Science church now stand.
“We’re hoping to bring vibrancy and development on a scale that will help enhance the overall experience of downtown Fort Myers,” McLaren said, according to Fox 4. “It is a cityscape changing. It is life-changing.”…