Benchmark General Contractors breaks ground on Sunset Beach Resort

Benchmark General Contractors broke ground Monday, July 6 on Sunset Beach Resort, a $13-million mixed-use development at 1028 Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach’s Times Square district. The project marks one of the most significant private investments along the island’s beachfront since Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022.

The three-story, 41,285-square-foot development will rise on the former site of Sunset Beach Tropical Grill and The Playmore Tiki Bar, two beloved Times Square fixtures that were destroyed by the storm. When complete, Sunset Beach Resort will feature six hotel units, returning a vibrant, mixed-use destination to one of the most visible and heavily trafficked corners of Fort Myers Beach.

“This isn’t a project for five or 10 years — this is a 100-year-plus building,” said Brad Nickel, president of Benchmark General Contractors. “We are this community. We’ve been here for 40-plus years building coastal projects, and to be a part of something this major is quite the testament to everything we’ve been doing for the last four decades. I hope this serves as a giant billboard to every developer out there that Fort Myers Beach is ready — come build, and the town is here to help you do it.”

Ian’s storm surge and winds caused catastrophic damage to Fort Myers Beach, decimating the Times Square corridor and displacing dozens of businesses that had defined the island’s character for generations. Nearly four years later, the groundbreaking of Sunset Beach Resort represents one of the latest and most prominent steps in the community’s ongoing effort to reclaim and rebuild its beachfront identity.

“Every groundbreaking is so special for those of us who watched Hurricane Ian change our communities forever,” said John Lai, president of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. “These moments mean more than just a construction project — they remind us that Southwest Florida doesn’t stay down for long. Today we celebrate much more than a beautiful new resort property. We’re celebrating confidence in Fort Myers Beach, investment in its future and another chapter in the incredible comeback of this island.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers, Jacki Liszak, president and CEO of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, and John Lai, president of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Lai noted that Benchmark’s expansion to Fort Myers Beach reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to Southwest Florida’s recovery, having already completed significant recovery work related to Hurricane Ian on Sanibel and Captiva.

Benchmark General Contractors is a Southwest Florida-based commercial construction firm with deep experience in coastal and post-disaster rebuilding across the region. The company has been active in Hurricane Ian recovery efforts since the storm, with completed and ongoing projects spanning Lee County’s barrier islands. Ryan Johnson, vice president of commercial operations, and Doug Hrabik, senior project manager, are overseeing the Sunset Beach Resort project.

Construction on Sunset Beach Resort is expected to take approximately 18 months, with a projected completion in early 2028.

About Benchmark General Contractors
Benchmark General Contractors is a Southwest Florida-based construction firm specializing in commercial and luxury residential projects, with a strong presence in coastal communities including Sanibel and Captiva. Founded in 1984, the company is known for its expertise in complex coastal construction, delivering high-quality projects that meet the unique challenges of building in hurricane-prone environments. Benchmark combines craftsmanship, project management expertise and strong partnerships with developers and architects to deliver projects with precision, transparency and long-term value. As the region continues to grow and rebuild, Benchmark is helping shape the future of Southwest Florida through resilient construction and thoughtful development. For more information, visit Benchmark-GC.com or call 239-466-1590.