The Irving Downtown is a new luxury mid-rise rental community coming soon to the heart of the historic River District of Downtown Fort Myers, Florida.
This pet-friendly apartment building will sit atop a multi-level parking structure – making it the only downtown community with attached parking – and feature one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences, as well as ample activity space, including a “greenscaped” amenity deck with swimming pool and cabanas, fitness center, dog spa, business center, and more.
Over time, The Irving Downtown (2401 Bay Street, LLC) is expected to add $19.1 million in taxable value to the City of Fort Myers’ tax base, and on Nov. 3, 2021, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved a $4 million tax increment rebate and development agreement for the project.
Five percent of the annual tax increment rebate payment will go to the Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Foundation to create affordable housing in the area, and the project developer will also be working with the City of Fort Myers to improve the existing veterans’ memorial at nearby Palm Park.
Fort Myers CRA Executive Director Michele Hylton-Terry noted that The Irving will contribute to continuing the momentum and revitalization of downtown, as many of the building’s future residents can simply walk to work, restaurants, entertainment, shops, parks, the marina, and all that Downtown Fort Myers has to offer.
The developer of The Irving Downtown is the Alzada Company, a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) led by Rebekah Barney, an experienced real estate developer and Fort Myers resident with a passion for historical and environmental preservation.
“We are so appreciative of the CRA’s dedicated, mindful work in moving this city forward while simultaneously preserving and protecting the area’s rich history and natural environment – it’s a very delicate balance,” said Barney. “The Irving will be designed and developed from start to finish to complement the existing aesthetic of historic Downtown Fort Myers, while also meeting and exceeding Florida Green Building Coalition certification standards.”
Barney noted that The Irving is also a way to make living “greener” lives easier than ever for residents – electric vehicle owners will receive preferential parking and, to encourage alternate forms of green travel, the community will also provide a bike and helmet rental program for residents.
Joining the Alzada Company for this unprecedented project are architects Baker Barrios and construction company DeAngelis Diamond, as well as interior designer Dwayne Bergmann, whose impeccable eye and exquisite taste will create an innovative cultural statement that is, much like the building itself, reverent of both historical integrity and modern environmental protection – preserving the past, building the future.
