Mending a Missing Link
Punta Gorda, Florida is located thirty minutes north of Ft. Myers and one hour south of Sarasota. With such conspicuous neighbors at opposite ends of the Tamiami Trail (Route 41), which directly connects all three cities, along with a respectable inventory of developable, urbanizing sites, Punta Gorda is well positioned for evolving its place within the region.
Working with Zamagias Properties, MV+A studied two large vacant blocks in the heart of Punta Gorda’s downtown. These blocks equated to a missing link within an active downtown. Phase 1 includes a multifamily building with an anchor grocery and inline retail and an adjacent building with retail on the ground level and offices above. Their disposition is such that a generous public plaza is created at the most prominent corner of the site—and an important intersection for the city—effectively mending the missing link with vibrant new amenity space unlike any other in the city. Phase 2 includes a second multifamily building with retail continuing the activation along the main retail corridor and a 120-room hotel completes the development with a diversity of programming that will enliven this underutilized site.
The redevelopment presents an exciting opportunity to enhance and complete the existing downtown and create an exciting walkable destination for an autocentric region, currently dominated by strip malls, and shows how thoughtful planning can unlock the potential of an existing place and transform and elevate it into a regional asset.
