Estero Island cottages get new lives

In the last ten years my wife and I have witnessed many dramatic changes in Estero Island and San Carlos Island. 



So called progress comes at a price. Some is needed as the constructions of new roads, water system and irrigation, or the beautification of downtown with cobble stones along the walk ways or along 1st street all along to the bay, with french like city lights, palms along the streets and for example a fountain at the very end of 1st Street next to restaurant Nervous Nellie.



All in all a majority seem to prefer the town as it is now. Some miss the hunky tonk look, the more lay back and funky atmosphere of the 80's or 90's an even the early 2000's. Empty lots and old ranch homes or beach cottages have been replaced by larger modern and at times enormous Mimi mansions.

                   

Still I have also seen a tremendous number of old Fort Myers Beach and San Carlos cottages, many over 50 years old renovated and more. Quite a few completely gutted and remodeled and getting a second or third life as the one below build in the 1920's which will be saved and moved to a location yet to be determined. probably owned by the historical society.

 

!920's cottage being moved:

 

      

 

Its a cool effort from local developer Orlandini who is footing the bill for the move. We have seen many of his very modern and large homes popping along Estero Blvd or on Palermo Circle and other streets, but its reassuring that he has also restored quite a few older homes and understand that the charm of the island also resides on these older cottages  same as in Key West.