Estero, an area of Lee County is now coming into its own and is comprised of about 21 square miles and lies between Naples and Bonita Springs to the south and Fort Myers to the north. The current population is about 11,000. Estero is in an area between the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay, which is one of the areas offering white sandy beaches and some of the best fresh and salt water fishing in Florida.
Estero offers many options for those individuals thinking about a condominium purchase. Condominiums range from affordable condo complexes, gated golf course communities to luxury high-rise condominium buildings offering exceptional views of the Gulf of Mexico and spectacular nightly sunsets. Be sure visit the Estero Florida Condominium Directory for a complete list of where you can find your new condominium in this wonderful area of Lee County - Estero.
The name of Estero comes from the Spanish word for estuary. The Spanish explorers were the first visitors to the area back in the 1500’s. Estero remained fairly dormant until in 1982, US 41 (Tamiami Trail) was expanded from a 2 lane to a 4 lane highway. Estero was rediscovered!
By 1987, Estero grew to the point where a high school was opened to service the residents that lived in many of the new home and upscale, gated communities. In addition, restaurants, recreational facilities, entertainment and shopping sprouted up through-out the Estero area.
Since 1997 four major events occurred that caused the area to increase in both population and real estate values.
Florida Gulf Coast University, which is part of the State of Florida college and university syste, the only four year degree granting university in southwest Florida opened. Shortly thereafter, Miromar Outlets and an arena opened. Miromar Outlets has more than 90 factory outlet stores on a 70 acre site, making it one of the largest factory outlet malls in the area. Germain Arena, formerly known as Teco Arena, opened and is home to the Florida Everglades hockey team and has numerous other entertainment venues visit. In addition, there is open ice skating and lessons available at the arena.
In November 2006, the Coconut Point Town Center Mall opened. The mall has over 1.2 million square feet of retail shoppes with another 90,000 square feet for office condos. The plan is for the Coconut Point Town Center to have over 100 stores and 15 restuarants.