It’s not the hotel. It’s a temporary setup for a 60 by 90 big tent, 5 food trucks serving food and drinks, parking, and live entertainment. Property owner John Callis would like to help fill a need on the south end as soon as possible while his team works on a bigger concept.
The town would need to issue a Temporary Placement Permit to make this a reality. ICS has been working on the property to get it ready for the temporary use so it can open as soon as possible, which could be in several weeks.
The bigger plan, which takes longer to wind its way through the permitting process, is a Development Agreement for a mobile restaurant, a 7,200 square foot tiki structure, 18,000 square feet for up to 9 trailers and a commercial parking lot. That parking lot would be paved with 58 of 260 spots set aside for restaurant customers, and a recreational area on the beach.
The Wyndham was one of the most popular hangouts for south end residents and visitors. Like nearly every other structure on the island it was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ian and eventually demolished. It’s a nearly 12 acre piece of property.
The application for this concept was submitted to the town in November of 2025. It’s going through staff review and then would eventually go to the LPA and Town Council. The Neighborhood Company is representing Callis on this project.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
Picture courtesy Julie Allen
The development of the Wyndham property has some very concerning elements. We are not against having food and drink available on this property. However, we have great concerns with the proposed plan which would create the largest public beach access on FMB and the 260 parking spots developed for daily use.
1. The number of paid parking spots that are being proposed is 260. This is greater than Lynn Hall Memorial Park near Time Square (107) and Bonita Beach (89). This will become the highest traffic flow and largest public beach access on Ft Myers Beach. The traffic flow is very bad at certain times of the day in those areas. It will probably impact us in a similar way. In addition, as this attracts a lot of traffic to the area, overflow use, or those vehicles over the 260 will hit Santini Plaza and associations around the area. Cresciente is already reporting individuals parking at Santini and then trying to access the beach through their property.
2. In the past, the Wyndham had approximately 140 parking spots and 50 spots on their tennis courts that were probably never permitted spots. However, most of these spots were for the room residents who were not transient. Unlike spots for motel rooms, having 260 transient parking spots for day use significantly impacts the flow of traffic.
3. They only plan on a small bathroom trailer on the property, probably no more than 4 to 6 stalls. In the past, the Wyndham had 106 unit bathrooms and public bathrooms for their restaurant. The provision for bathrooms is completely inadequate.
4. The proposed trash and compactor will be located approximately 300 feet north of our grill area near the fence. Restaurant waste tends to smell badly and draw rats.
We all desire more bars and restaurants at the south end of FMB. Many of us have great memories of happy hour at Pinchers. We believe the current plan and proposal will better serve the majority of the transient 260 cars and patrons this brings from off island rather than local residents and visitors on the island. It could actually put even more stress and demand on the current offering of restaurants and bars, greatly increase an already difficult traffic problem, and negatively impact the value of our property.
260 parking spaces equals 500 to 1000 people. Add 500 plus people walking to music, beach, and food. I see multiple problems, garbage, restroom numbers, traffic, crowd control, beach patrol. Add 150 cars coming to site only to find no availability,what are they going to do ? Clog up Estero Blvd, Illegally park at Santini or any spot on street or open condo property. Imagine a food truck serving donuts …now they may want to open at 8 am until ? Condo owners have had to comply with Turtle light restrictions. What lighting would be in place here ,right by CWA.
Will the town receive any of the millions of dollars annually collected from parking fees to help pay for all city costs incurred for oversite ,traffic control and cleanups ? Maybe ok one weekend a month ok but everyday would turn it into traffic nightmare like docs beach house or margaritaville. I want to like it but feel it would have many negatives to justify. Sorry No.
This has been pending three years it’s a necessity for three years .You can’t downtown and they are now up and running there so let’s get the south end moving again
I think this is a necessity and it’s been 3 years. I’m so glad this is coming an always was a great spot thank god his willing to do this
Can someone clarify where the five food trucks mentioned in the article are actually located on this site plan? I’m not seeing them clearly identified. The plan also appears to show infrastructure that looks more permanent, while the article describes a temporary tent and a five-year concept. It would be helpful to understand what parts are truly temporary and how this fits into the town’s broader redevelopment vision for the island.
Temporary, as in no more than 5 years and I’m all for it.
We’ve been waiting years for some bars and restaurants like we had in Santini and still waiting.
Live music, food and drinks in a few weeks. Bring it on!
Food trucks on a valuable piece of property that has no nice beachfront, restaurants or entertainment in the vicinity!! I would love to see the financial statement of John Callis. . His previous facility was a gold mine so why not duplicate and bring much needed entertainment, fine, and casual, dining and accommodations for short days a two floor or possibly 34 motel would be a great asset. Change is inevitable, but let’s not go too far by encouraging fads and help maintain the community atmosphere. Totally against temporary Band-Aid as three years is long enough to have an act on permanent plans. Nancy Stearns
This property is surrounded by homes! Many people live in condos year around!!
Pitchers was a small establishment for locals. This project, is intended to draw people from all over as a parking lot to access the beach. I met with Mr. Calis’ son, who is “project manager” and he stated this is a temporary, 5 year plan. Eventually a condo will go in there. He just want to make some money now and bring up the value of the property. The traffic is going to be just like the north end and down I Bonita with cars coming in for a day on the beach.
Totally, totally opposed!
Is’nt there a FEMA issue with temporary structures? Did’t La Ola encounter a problem with FEMA and FMB? This sounds like a over sized temporary setup rather then going thru the same processes others follow.
That was “tent”
Totally disagree with this concept. You build the right bar / restaurant with that beach & it would be a huge success on the south end, but a ye t with food trucks?
Yuck.
I don’t think a tent and trailers is what is warranted for this property. I know I don’t. Why does the owner feel another hotel with restaurant shouldn’t be built. The property was an eyesore for a few years after Ian and now a rush to get food trucks in there.
From what I’ve heard, and this might be wrong, but I heard the owner is getting up there in years, and he also has other properties like Tin Alley in Naples to deal with. So he delegates this property to the son in law, who is more suited to run a food truck park than a hotel property.
Hate this idea! Extra traffic , drinking, garbage on the beach, not a community friendly venue at all!
I am VERY excited about this project! Can’t wait! Southend needs this desperately, no matter what it is! The project is surrounded by seasonal condos, not homes (as someone stated), and we had Wyndham and Pinchers with live music pre-Ian and loved it! Also, the trolley goes all the way to Lover’s Key for the person inquiring about that.
Anyway, bring this project on!!
I muse that you refer to “seasonal condos”……please be aware that not all condos are “seasonal” but a year-round home to many!
GOOD LUCK dealing with the town council, Mr. Callis
Tent city with trailers and food trucks?
Just to profit.
Not appropriate for this residential area.
Lots of noise and chaotic traffic.
London Bay would not be requesting this at their Vanderbilt Ritz location.
This deters them from building a proper and appropriate structure there as long as they can profit.
property values will be negatively affected.
how about extending the trolley service to the Southend.
How about not. How about get rid of the trolley altogether.
You must be a lot of fun at parties.
You want fun? Try following an empty trolley going 10mph in a 25mph zone going south with a completely open road in front of them every day.
There is a trolley service to the Southend of the island. It’s just not free, but it’s cheap.
Trolley goes to Lover’s Key on Southend.
They let that mold and rat infested blown out hazardous structure sit there for three years, and now all of a sudden it’s got to be up in three weeks? I welcome this with open arms, because I don’t know how anybody in their right mind would willfully sit, near motionless, in their car on Estero for two to three hours just to go to eat on the north side, but I can’t help but wonder what goes on in the heads of these property owners. Beach Theater – same deal. Let’s illegally rip out mangroves to get these docks installed asap, you know, because we want customers to be able to come by boat! Then crickets…….
Your perspective is accurate; and stated perfectly.
BINGO!
Very excited! Thank you John Callis for supporting the Southend. We also really appreciate your company acknowledging and providing the 20′ buffer on the Northside of the property. We have it is established and maintained as a walkway/access to the Gulf for the Southside residents. Can’t wait to support your project!
Bravo to this comment!
We do need this. Right now it’s either leave the island or drive to Times Square for live entertainment. We all know how traffic is… this is only temporary so I am for it.
We are all for something on the South End. When we come for vacation we have to sit in traffic no matter what direction you go, have to wait for an hour or more to get into a restaurant and parking is a nightmare on the north end. We loved Pinchers and the Outrigger both places we could walk to have a bite to eat and see live entertainment. We also miss Charlies Boathouse and the restaurant/bars that were in the Santini. We understand it will never be the Fort Myers we once knew but would like the South End to have more options.
The tent and trailer town….ugggh
Agree…UGGGH
So many rich real estate owners on FMB. Zero capital to build…
State of FMB…..
Nothing will change.
Southend needs “something!” It will be packed guaranteed! Traffic will stay here on Southend, and, remember folks, it was a hotel, tiki bar and restaurant “pre-Ian.” It is not adding to anything traffic-wise. That’s nonsense. It was Wyndham hotel and Pinchers that already had a following and patrons.