What's Changing at Coconut Point, From New Storefronts to New Paint

"You either improve them, they get better or you stand pat, and you watch them erode."

Scott Richardson, vice president of development for Simon Property Group, said this about Coconut Point at a public informational meeting with Estero's Planning, Zoning and Design Board, as reported by Gulfshore Business. The outdoor center on US 41 is nearly 20 years old, and Simon has chosen to improve it. The new brands moving in are the visible part. The bigger changes, including new building colors, new signs and the future of the old movie theater, all have to go through Estero Village Hall at 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle. Those hearings are public, and the record is open to anyone in Estero.

The paint palette already has its approval

The architecture is staying as it is, but the color palette will change. Gulfshore Business reported that the architect presenting the plan, Kristin Mulkey, described a refresh that plays up the metalwork, brackets and other details of Coconut Point's Mediterranean Revival design. "We're not looking to make this a modern place," she said.

That first presentation did not go through without comment. A majority of planning board members thought the proposed colors were too bland and needed more contrast, and Simon had to come back for approval of a final palette.

That approval came on July 21, 2026. According to the Village of Estero's summary of the meeting, the approved palette runs from alabaster and moderate white to tony taupe and pavestone, with pavilion beige and urbane bronze as accent colors. Several eComment cards were entered into the record, and the board approved the application. In a second vote it approved revised signage to match the new building colors and an updated logo, plus two new internal signs.

Simon has called the refresh a two-year process carried out in two or three phases. No specific start date for the painting has been published, so expect the new look to show up a section at a time over that period rather than all at once.

Who has moved in, and who is still on the way

A fresh coat of paint does more for a center when the storefronts are full. In June 2026, the Naples Daily News reported that Coconut Point was "among those getting a major wave of newness," with Shake Shack aiming for its first Lee County location. Here is where that wave stood in early October 2026:

Kendra Scott's status depends on which Simon page you open. The dated events post says it is open, while the Coconut Point homepage still had it under "Headed Your Way" when we checked. Simon only says LaserAway is in the works and has not given an opening date.

Shake Shack is the longest wait. Gulfshore Business reported that the Estero restaurant will join the chain's North Naples location at Mercato and a second Collier County location planned at 6833 Collier Blvd. Until it opens, Mercato is the closest place to get one.

Breakfast came first

Several of the restaurant changes happened before this year's retail arrivals. They have settled in, and they reused spaces that had turned over again and again.

Alba Breakfast & Brunch is at 23111 Fashion Drive, Suite 111, beside the former cinema. That space was previously Lehne Burger, BurgerIM and Johnny Rockets. When it was announced, Alba was billed as the first full-service restaurant at Coconut Point to open for breakfast, starting at 7:30 a.m. and serving until 3 p.m. Its menu draws on Mediterranean and European breakfasts and includes French Toast Crème Brûlée, Lobster Eggs Benedict and shakshuka. Simon's directory now lists Alba with daily hours.

Casa Blu is at 8076 Mediterranean Drive, Suite 107, next to Starbucks, in the spot that was Amfora Mediterranean Restaurant and MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Co. It is open, and its hours are on the restaurant's own site.

Both restaurants moved into spaces that had changed hands several times, and Simon cited that kind of slow decline when it argued for the refresh.

The old theater site is still undecided

The former Regal theater raises the biggest question about Coconut Point's future, and the plan for it is still under review. In January 2026, the News-Press reported that apartments had been proposed for the vacant theater site. The planning board and residents got their first look on Jan. 13.

On March 10, the proposal came back for a workshop. Gulf Coast News described it as a plan to demolish the theater and build Waypoint Residences, a 365-unit apartment project. A workshop is not a decision. Gulfshore Business reported that the revised design shown that day had 362 units and that board members again offered critiques. Final approval rests with the Estero Village Council. The two unit counts appear to come from different versions of the plan.

Council meeting summaries posted on the Village website through Oct. 7, 2026 do not show a final vote. As far as public records show, the theater building is still waiting on that decision.

The same review process applies here as it did to the paint colors. Planning board meetings are held in the Council Chambers at Village Hall, near the entrance to Estero Community Park. Anyone who can't attend can watch the meeting online and submit an eComment Card. Comments must be in by noon the day before the meeting. They go to the board but are not read aloud.

Across the street on Lyden Drive

The corridor around Coconut Point is changing too. Whataburger has a second Southwest Florida location planned for 22927 Lyden Drive, across from Coconut Point in a former Pollo Tropical. The chain's first area location opened on US 41 in south Fort Myers on Sept. 10, and the News-Press reported that the Estero location is planned to open in late October. That is a target, not a confirmed date. One detail for late nights is that Whataburger serves breakfast from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m.

Dates for the next two months

Construction at Coconut Point will move at its own pace, but these dates are already set:

1. Saturday, Oct. 17, 5 to 9 p.m.: The Village of Estero's Spooktacular at Estero Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. It's free and includes trunk-or-treating, food trucks and a movie in the park. Anyone still shopping for a costume can go to Spirit Halloween at Coconut Point, which Simon marked "Now Open" in late August.
2. Late October: The target opening for Whataburger on Lyden Drive.
3. Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to noon: The Village of Estero Veterans Day Celebration at the Estero Park & Recreation Center.
4. Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: The Coconut Point holiday celebration, with a vendor and car and truck show, entertainment, a parade and the annual tree lighting.

The tree lighting this December will be in front of the same Mediterranean Revival buildings, and over the next couple of years they'll be repainted in the alabaster, taupe and bronze palette approved in July.

If you're curious how the work at Coconut Point might change your corner of Estero, I'm happy to talk through what's approved, what's still pending and what it could mean for nearby homes. Tammy Workman is glad to help. Let's Connect.