An update on on the Margaritaville Resort that was under construction in Fort Myers Beach:
From TPI Hospitality on 9/30/2022: As you have been seeing in today’s news, our TPI family experienced a horrific event in the form of Hurricane Ian. One of the most devastating storms ever to hit the state of Florida has caused unimaginable damage to both Naples, home to TPI’s Staybridge Suites, and Fort Myers Beach, home to TPI’s soon-to-be Margaritaville. While it appears there were no injuries to any of our co-workers, the scars experienced in and around both properties are significant. The video in the link below illustrates the unbelievable devastation in and around the Fort Myers Beach area. The first 60 seconds of the video show the destruction in the Times Square area, with Margaritaville being the V-shaped cement structure appearing on the far-right side a few seconds into the video.
A close up of the Margaritaville Resort after Hurricane Ian came ashore
Some photos of the construction before Hurricane Ian hit the Fort Myers Beach area
I’ll be honest. I hated that the margaritaville was going in. You can see by the before pictures that it towered over old fort myers beach. It blocked beautiful views.
You all don’t understand how much Ian destroying our town has changed everything. Big buildings like yours will take over and fort myers beach will never be the same when people start building. If only you could give the old feel. The beach town where it was a great place to fish- not party. Where the average family could afford a hotel room. The fact that when you crossed that bridge and saw the beautiful beach and gulf, made fmb that much more special. Maybe you could consider that as you continue to take over the beach for the sake of money.
Yes that’s our fear as well. All the buildings that were “old school” and mom and pop places were what we loved in the area! Not huge skyscrapers. Our fear is now big buildings will go up in their place any become way to commercialized.
I totally agree And really wonder how in God’s name that got passed in the 1st place!!!
Who is sitting on the board and how much DID they get paid??
COME on Seriously…
Disgusting.. despicable.. deplorable.
If they allow that to be constructed and finished they shouldn’t be allowed to call it for Myers beach…
Just call it Greedy BuffetVille Beach
Probably God’s way of stopping Buffetville.
If I was part of Fort Myers Beach you’d bet you’re bottom dollar I would have raised heck at that council everyday to stop that going through!!
Im sure money talks on that one and it would have been a lost cause…
unfortunately For FMB people..I was not aware of the Atrocity until I read it online a couple of years ago.
I believe it wouldn’t Have mattered anyway because that was bought and paid for somehow or another..look at who is in charge of your council…maybe an Audit is in order ….
Id have to look into what recourse Constituents have if any…
Now they have a second chance to do the right thing do you think you’re council or your government will? I doubt it.
I stopped going to Fort Myers beach because it turned so commercial years ago… there is NO WAY IN …. HECK
I’ll ever sit for 2 hours to go there now….
It’ll be places like Margaritaville that’ll save the city.
Amen Jacob.
Fort Myers Beach would have been fine without Margaritaville. It wasn’t hurting in the least.
At this point we should be grateful for any businesses going in for our entertainment…. I’m sure they’ll be something there for everyone… I don’t have the money to rebuild it, so I will be grateful for all that do. Tourism is huge here. But they won’t come if nothing is here.
Places like these WILL save the city u
Lol
FMB didn’t need saving …
Now…it does..
But
It
needs
to be
saved by ..A Non Greedy conglomerate!
that’s going to take into consideration the look and feel of old FMB.
That’s the problem, it looked like a disgusting New York building. Snap dab in the middle of quaint for Myers beach… What in God’s name was that board thinking? That’s what I want to know…
Now it’s gonna look like a mini Vegas.. oh Joy..
Citified
Medicinal
Brick & Mortar
No. Thank. You.
I really have to find out who’s on that council now…
I know people don’t like change and want things to stay the same but they just don’t and we need restaurants and hotels I am thankful that the city Council is going to allow food trucks on the properties of the restaurants that lost everything so that is an option for them if they are going to rebuild. And that will also bring options to the beach. Some struggle with things being built to code, but- most of the things that were wiped out were built early 50s 60s when there wasn’t the building code if you look at the new Wahoo willies structure ( near nervous nellies, that was just built (it would fit the old sleepy beach town of Fort Myers Beach BUT was also built to code- it survived it’s unbelievable when you see the footage it has a thatched roof still in place and looks virtually unscathed.
I guess I support the building code because its is a barrier island, Structures should be built for a cat 4/5 hurricane and unfortunately that’s very very expensive but we hope to never see peoples homes wiped out and loss of life like this again.
Many people who had the older homes will not be able to rebuild because of the cost and I’m sorry for those people who will maybe be forced off the beach. I also welcome structures and businesses and hotels condos whatever it may be that will provide a safe place to live or rent for many visitors to come I believe Fort Myers Beach will be one of the premier islands in a few years it’s going to be all brand new in many respects I’m thankful for Margaritaville and I hope that they become a good partner with current businesses, and residents on the Island!
Absolutely, I would also like to know what are they going to donate if any to bring our beach back to what it once was‼️??
Won’t happen Sue, the FMB we knew is gone.
The city needs a height ordinance for buildings. That would solve the problem. But money talks and you-know-what walks. So when the right developer applies for a variance it’s no telling what may happen. And of course their argument is that the city, county, and state will benefit from increased revenue. They don’t give a rat’s behind about character or loss of charm.
Lol totally That’s what I was thinking What happened to those people I come from a town where you couldn’t build over 5 stories…
How the heck did this get passed?
See now I gotta find out now I gotta do the digging and now I gotta get involved because now it bugs me… Lol I feel sorry for that council.
Before Margaritaville, that area was a blight on FMB and is a blessing to the community in terms of jobs and lodging.
True , we hated going to Fort Myers Beach. Dirty and run down. The area should be zoned commercial. I was happy something is going up there.
Bob, What’s your stake in Margaritaville? Seriously, Times Sq. was the commercial heart of FMB
I have no stake in it at all. I loved FMB and I am now devastated.
Bob, Thanks, Loved FMB too. I stayed at the Lighthouse each summer, Right across the street as you know. Yes, the lot across the street was a little unsightly as it sat there. I’m not in real estate, but I wonder if it stayed like that because the Margaritaville developers kept the future of that corner tied up while wheeling and dealing? Anyhow, I think their presence only invites other large developers to drop anchor there. I hope not. Time will tell. Take care.
Exactly
The average family can’t afford to stay at JB’ resorts and hotel. So hopefully they’ll reconsider and level the place. Thanks
I Totally Vote to Level J B ville!
Well I hate to burst the bubble but with the 10ft rebuild flood elevations FMB, Sanibel, Captiva and other coastal areas will never be the same. All of the older ground level structures will live by the same ordinance and I’m sure the mobile home industry will be affected as well. They are not even required to have flood insurance and most were not because of the insurance costs.
Big changes are coming and it will never look the same. Sorry 😢
You’re right Lauren, so sad. I stayed next door at the Lighthouse each summer. Most of the mom& pops won’t be back. They’ll just call it a day. Times Square can’t be replaced. This area took decades to develop the personality it had. Now the corporate wolves will move in. The Fort Myers Beach we knew is gone. Time for me to move on. I won’t look back.
Old Ft Myers Beach was junkie. New buildings would be a blessing.
New buildings & homes will be constructed due to Ian, as unfortunate as the storm was for people. This happens every time a hurricane ravages and older beach community. It happened here in SC when Hugo destroyed older beach homes here.
Totally agree!! I think Margaritaville is the least of everyone’s problems on Ft Myers Beach right now. At least they will bring revenue and jobs to the devastated island.
Jimmy don’t care. Just send the almighty dollar to the Margaritavillian.
Who would want to go to this place pay high dollar for the only place on the beach along with high dollar drinks and food. When there is nothing else there. Where are the workers going to stay? Also, no local clientele since there are no homes. It will be years before Fort Myers beach recovers. Where will they get the workers to finish building with all the insurance work needing to be done.
Seems as though threr is a message here to the backers. Such being that nobody wanted it here to begin with.
Like $18. For a Margarita which is what we experienced at another Margarita Ville resort.
I’ve been vacationing at Ft. Myers Beach for the past 13 years. I was there 4 months ago with my family and friends. After seeing the monstrosity of what was going in as Margaritaville, my friends and I have decided to vacation somewhere else. Sad, that place is going to chase people away from what was a great beach vaca. I feel bad for the people who live there.
We are so devastated seeing what hurricane Ian left behind. Prayers for all of you that live there.
agree! Ft Myers Beach is an example of a piece of “untouched” Florida lifestyle still in existence, just as Sanibel Island, Capitva, Pine Island, etc. This might be great for Jimmy’s wallet but it definitely was not needed on a beach that is a two-lane road already congested with people going to the beach normally. He could have built it over the other side of the bridge rather than right at that point. Going to cause traffic back-ups, etc. This devastation is horrible for someone who called Ft Myers her home. Maybe this is a sign that this resort does not need to be built. Think again Ft Myers Beach city commision – – – move it elsewhere. God bless all of SWFL. We will rebuild –
Jimmy’s companies just franchise the name just like Budweiser at NFL games.
Love these resorts clean and updated, unlike the old moldy smell of hotels that were not updated. If you feel the cost is so expensive it will keep the “partiers” out as they tend to be younger, as some one above stated…
I live about 10 miles from FMB and there was something amazing each time I got to the top of that bridge and looked out over the beach and Gulf. I haven’t been down there since Ian obliterated our poor beach.
I have definitely not been in favor of this Margaritaville going in and now, it’s just about the only thing left standing down there. Unfortunately, those who want to re-build are likely going to have to build to updated codes, which will eliminate that charming beach town feel we all loved about it. I will reserve my criticism until I see what JB does. He can do a good thing here and help his new neighbors who have lost everything. He has the means to do it, and it would be a good investment as nobody is going to want to come down there for one hotel when everything else is leveled. Here’s your chance, Jimmy. Don’t blow it.
We have been going to FMB for 20 years, and since retirement spend two months there each winter. We went for the exact reason you are all commenting on. We hated seeing Margaritaville come to the beach. And now our winters will be spent on another beach on the gulf. I think that Fort Myers Beach will change just like everyone is thinking, but I also think it will just draw a different crowd. Gone will be the older snowbirds and in their place the younger generation who do not care about the ambiance we all love, but instead the upscale surroundings and service they feel they all “deserve”.
Right Steve, FMB won’t disappear, but it won’t be the same for the reasons you state. The atmosphere of Times Sq. won’t be back. Times Sq. won’t even be back. FMB will be rebuilt, but we won’t recognize it. Sadly, like you say, time to move on. There are other places though, but I certainly wouldn’t post them on the internet. Good luck.
Property rights, folks. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. The rules that make peaceful co-existence between people possible. Want to put covenants on your own property so a Margaritaville type development can’t be built on it? Do it. But don’t put guns to the heads of other property owners telling them how to use their property. All you should be able to do is prevent them from creating a nuisance. But if they build something that you merely think is ugly or you don’t like subjectively, that’s tough. According to property rights, “The character of Fort Myers Beach” can be determined by who owns property there, not by a mob.
Nuisance may be the key word here for residents. There may be several annoying factors that come with a large hotel complex, but nothing can quite match the annoyance of the predawn arrival of dempsey dumpster vehicles. The regular garbage is usually collected during daylight hours.
FMB prediction –
It will become the Island of Nobody, filled with huge corporate mansions that nobody ever visits and overpriced hotels and restaurants for the “elite” only. It will be Miami Beach West.