Homes in the WildBlue Community of Southwest Florida
Though homes for sale in WildBlue will be beautifully nestled among nature preserves and deep water lakes, there are yet other advantages that add to the allure of life in this emerging private neighborhood. Those aspects include the amenities and location. Indeed, for all the glorious nature that nuances this scenic sanctuary, the range of modern conveniences and connectivity to a larger community combine to make the opportunity for home buyers here especially wild. Just consider, homes in the WildBlue community of Southwest Florida are only minutes from so many of the places most prefer to go.
Championship golf courses, Gulf beaches, shopping, dining and entertainment venues; all await just a short drive from the community. But as great as all that may be, the fact remains that WildBlue’s most significant feature is reflected in the developer’s focus on ecologically-friendly practices.
To truly appreciate all that Wild Blue will be, begs one to consider what was before. Upon understanding this, one begins to see that Wild Blue is much more than a new residential development, but the region’s most significant undertaking in environmental restoration.
Exceeding Best Practices
Back in the 1980s, to become compliant with a state mandate involving city planning requirements, Lee County set aside some 83,000 acres which has since become known as the Density Reduction Groundwater Recharge Area (or DRGR). WildBlue borders the western edges of this vast acreage, encompassing almost 3,560 acres east of Interstate 75. It is bordered to the north by Alico Road and Estero’s Corkscrew Road at the south.
The wetlands here have long served as a haven to all manner of indigenous critter and avian species alike, but also includes features such as the Stewart Cypress Slough, a vital natural flow-way that links to the Estero Bay Watershed. At the same time, it has been a common practice for county authorities to permit farming and mining enterprises within the DRGR.
The lands here have proven a valuable resource for limestone. Some 40 years of mining operations and the spread of invasive exotic plants like Brazillian Pepper and melaleuca have exacted certain tolls on the terrain. While the remnants of mining have resulted in expansive deep water lakes, the invasive plants have slowly choked the natural flow of water. In fact, initial plans by an Orlando-based developer interested in building along this corridor met with stiff local opposition. His plans not only involved creation of another golf course, but more than 300 homes that would directly siphon water from the aquifer. Despite protests, the development was approved by the county. Then, as fate would have it, the deal went bust as part of the national economic debacle. Though it might have been seen as a win of-sorts for local environmental advocates, little did they know a greater victory was to come.
A New Approach
Don Schrotenboer of Private Equity Group with FGCU’s Christopher Simoneau and President Wilson Bradshaw following donation of land valued at $8million.
In 2013, the lands were ultimately acquired by the Fort Myers firm of Private Equity Group. In operation for more than 30 years, Private Equity Group has developed more than 8,000 residential homes as well as 16 shopping centers; projects that equate to more than 14,000 acres of development and more than 1,000,000 square-feet of commercial leasing space. Their developments include the Bonita Springs Community of Meadowbrook, The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club of Fort Myers as well as shopping centers like Coral Point or The Shops at Santa Barbara. Along the way, Private Equity Group has established an esteemed legacy for masterful attention-to-detail and superior standards of construction. The firm invested 10 million dollars, acquiring a total of 5,187 acres which included that now destined to become WildBlue. Though some land will figure in a future mixed-use development called “Center Place,” Private Equity Group also proceeded to make one of the largest land donations ever made to Florida Gulf Coast University; the land valued near 8 million dollars. That acreage will figure in the future establishment of FGCU’s “Innovation” Hub. As for the WildBlue property, developers decided to take a drastically different route.
The golf course plans were scrapped, along with all the originally proposed septic tanks and wells for more than 300 homes. Instead, homes in the WildBlue community of Southwest Florida will have water and sewer connected with Fort Myers utilities. Private Equity Group pledged to keep more than 1,300 acres as protected preserves. Another 888 acres will be devoted to area lakes. The firms is also investing approximately 8 million for an environmental restoration initiative that will create a three mile-long vegetated passageway for wildlife.
This will aid for critters traveling north and south among public lands such as the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed, and will include an underground crossing for wildlife along Corkscrew Road. More remarkably, the plan will restore the natural flow of water to the Estero Bay watershed. In addition to removing impediments posed through the spread of invasive plants, engineers are creating a 150-foot-wide water flow-way that will allow water to traverse from the lakes to areas throughout the coming community. The focus on conservation, sustainability and remediation has led to WildBlue’s recognition as a statewide model for best practices. That was a message recently conveyed in news accounts with Nancy Peyton, the Southwest Florida Field Representative for the Florida Wildlife Federation. Referring to WildBlue as more of an endeavor in environmental restoration than residential development, Peyton described WildBlue as “the gold standard … a statewide model.”
Residential Plans For WildBlue
A majority of the homes for sale in WildBlue will enjoy lakefront views that can accommodate a private boat dock. Other homesites offer serene preserve and canal views. Home prices range from the $800s – $4M+. Beyond the recreational possibilities arising from life among the beautiful lakes and nature preserves, WildBlue is complemented with a luxurious amenities campus featuring 2 clubhouses, resort-swimming pool, separate lap pool indoor & outdoor dining, tennis & pickleball courts, marina and more. WildBlue is also a natural gas community.
Development of homes in the WildBlue community of Southwest Florida remains in the final stages. Located only minutes from I-75, golf courses, shopping centers and other attractions which make life in Southwest Florida so stellar. For those looking for a great home in a great location, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about WildBlue while the opportunity still exists. Our team is happy to help you stay informed. To register to receive updates and additional information on Homes in the WildBlue community of Southwest Florida, simply submit the contact form below.