One of my many jobs as a reporter — many years ago — was covering commercial real estate. I was one of those numbers enthusiasts who liked talking square footage and inside baseball with brokers and developers. It’s not for everyone, but it especially appealed to me and I enjoyed it much more than other beats I covered, which is likely why I look forward to this issue each year.
David Dorsey tracks and tallies Southwest Florida’s real estate transactions throughout the year until the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31. He follows the money and the trends, and compiles it all in a nice package we present each February in Top Deals.
It’s an adage in the industry that retail follows rooftops, and our area’s ongoing population growth naturally meant more and greater opportunities for expanding businesses. A marked trend we saw this year was that the continued strength of online retail still has some local effects, in the form of an increased emphasis on infrastructure such as warehouses and distribution centers. Read on for details on some of the biggest moves — including what we believe to be the most lucrative transaction to date in the history of Southwest Florida.
Another story related to a new state law going into effect may be especially concerning to condo owners, or perhaps those looking to own a condo in the Sunshine State. The Condo Rights Bill, HB 1021, was written after Champlain Towers South in Surfside (on the east coast) partially collapsed in June 2021. The new law requires condos of four or more stories to have milestone inspections and a host of other requirements, all affecting condo buildings approaching 30 years in age, and ultimately at a price that is handed down to owners. Safety is an obvious necessity, but the legislation means residents are looking at spiking association fees, and longtime owners of older buildings may be in for a painful financial squeeze. David Dorsey explores the implications in “The Cost of Condo Living.”
A beat I never was asked to cover — and for good reason — is sports. I can talk a little about most any topic … but sports is not among them. Thankfully, I’ve got former sports reporters on my team who do understand the rules, the stats, the names and the inner workings.
David Dorsey pulls triple duty this issue by looking back at the past 100 years our region has embraced Spring Training. Multiple Major League Baseball teams get started on the season to come by warming up beneath our sunny skies — an arrangement that didn’t happen by accident, and which has provided a century of economic benefits for Southwest Florida. Enjoy our look back, and forward, in “Diamond Anniversary.”
