Demolition kicked off this month on the basic Neptune inn at 2310 Estero Blvd. that Within the Know has been masking. It obtained Fort Myers Seaside City council backing in December for a 148-unit redo, greater than double the original, with slightly allowing work to go.
Primarily based on Neptune timelines we have reported, website enhancements are about an 8-to 10-month affair, with a vertical building purpose of a couple of 12 months for a spot that has a variety of enjoyable historical past.
The “luxurious” Neptune rose out of the sands nearly 65 years in the past with “options of an anti-hurricane nature,” in keeping with newspaper archives.
Hoosier Frank Odle opened it the 12 months after 1960’s Hurricane Donna, billing it as “island paradise (on) the world’s most secure” seashore.
The late Hugh Downs, then the sidekick on NBC’s The Tonight Present, was the primary visitor.
Virtually precisely a 12 months earlier than Ian’s stunning strike on Southwest Florida, Ohio-based Continental Hospitality Group purchased it for $27 million.
Primarily based on the Naples Each day Information, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. He writes Within the Know, considered one of USA TODAY Community’s most learn native information columns within the state. Assist democracy. Subscribe to a newspaper.
This text initially appeared on Fort Myers Information-Press: Fort Myers Beach Neptune inn storied history goes back almost 65 years
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