North Cape poised for major boom
Tidal wave of commercial, mixed-use projects and new home construction projected to drive growth projected to drive
A data-driven forecast from a 2023 Interactive Growth Model depicts Cape Coral’s north side of the city as poised to be the engine of the city’s next decade of growth and investment.
That projection is proving true.
“North Cape Coral is on the verge of a major transformation, with rapid residential growth, strong population gains, and a surge of new commercial projects creating exciting opportunities for residents and businesses alike,” Economic Development Manager Sharon Woodberry said in an interview with The Breeze. “The north side of Cape Coral is poised for an exciting wave of commercial, mixed‑use, and job‑creating development that will match, and enhance, the area’s rapid residential growth.”
Nearly 75% of Cape Coral’s forecasted growth through 2040 is expected north of Pine Island Road. That growth will add more than 17,000 new homes and roughly 46,000 residents.
“This surge of people is driving demand for more shopping, services, and jobs closer to where residents live, creating a powerful opportunity for new businesses and employers to locate in the north,” Woodberry said via email.
The higher-intensity development in the northwest, especially along Burnt Store Road, was held back from limited utilities for years. This is now changing.
“Site work has begun for the 1,745‑acre Hudson Creek property — planned for thousands of homes plus commercial, office, hotel, and institutional uses — this project will bring new utilities to the area through a partnership with the developer, with infrastructure anticipated to be installed around 2027,” she said. “These improvements are expected to unlock an entirely new wave of commercial and mixed‑use projects along Burnt Store Road, turning it into a major activity corridor for the city.”
The city owns approximately 300 acres along North Burnt Store Road, which the city is exploring as a prime opportunity to attract new employment and generate such uses as office, light industrial, medical, and professional services to match the area’s booming housing growth and strength the local jobs base.
The northwest also includes another signature project — Seven Islands, a waterfront development located along Old Burnt Store Road.
“In November, City Council approved a purchase and sale agreement with the selected developer, with closing anticipated in February 2026. The city and the developer have worked through a site concept and proposed uses for a mixed‑use waterfront destination that is planned to include a hotel, residential units, retail, and recreation, creating a new gathering place and lifestyle amenity for northwest Cape Coral,” Woodberry said before Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
The development plan was approved.
There are other projects in north Cape Coral, including Coral Grove, a 131-acre mixed-use town center planned with more than 1,200 apartments, a hotel, and extensive retail, dining, and entertainment. The infrastructure, for this new live-work-play destination, is expected to begin in early 2026.
City Council also approved Bones Coffee’s new 20,000-square-foot headquarters and production facility on Pine Island Road. Woodberry said it is another win for the area, as the $27 million project will support 75 existing employees, while adding approximately 55 new jobs.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 with an experiential retail component to draw customers and visitors.
“A long‑discussed Walmart Supercenter on southwest Pine Island Road is also in the permitting process and will further strengthen Pine Island Road as the primary commercial corridor serving northern residents today. In addition, Council has approved an agreement to bring a 112‑room Marriott TownePlace Suites hotel to northeast Pine Island Road, with completion expected in summer 2027, adding new lodging options and visitor traffic to support nearby restaurants and shops,” Woodberry said.
The Interactive Growth Model also shows that Cape Coral will need roughly 1,200 additional acres of commercial land at buildout, with much of that demand concentrated north of Pine Island Road. The majority of the new housing through 2030 will also be built in the north.
“Together, these trends highlight tremendous opportunity for new neighborhood centers, community shopping hubs, waterfront destinations, and employment districts to grow closer to where people live, reducing travel times and improving quality of life,” she said.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com