Florida developer Kitson & Partners is in the process of completing America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch. Located about 25 miles northeast of Fort Myers and three hours from Miami, the master planned community will ultimately cover 18,000 acres and be fully solar powered, courtesy of an 870-acre solar farm.
Babcock Ranch has almost completely leased the on-site 83,487-square foot retail development, called Crescent B Commons, which has a 48,387-s.f. Publix Super Market as its primary tenant.
“Most companies are becoming increasingly focused and interested in their environmental footprint and are investing time and resources into greener initiatives,” said Eric Spritz, vice president at Katz & Associates, which is handling leasing for the community’s new retail developments. “Babcock Ranch allows these companies to do this. The interest applies to all types of consumers of every socioeconomic level, and to such tenants as high-end and discount retailers, restaurants, medical and daily needs.”
Katz & Associates is currently focused on finding tenants for another new retail development on the premises, called The Shoppes at Yellow Pine, which will take up 130,000 square feet of space.
“We are targeting service retail users to serve as an amenity within the community for the ease of the residents not to have to leave Babcock Ranch for their general day-to-day services,” said Jon Cashion, a principal with Katz & Associates.
The community has been requesting retailers in home improvement, drugstores, fashion/apparel, home furnishings, health and beauty, sporting goods, electronics and restaurant options, he added. They are also targeting urgent care, spas, wellness, pet services and educational services ancillary to the schools within Babcock Ranch.
The Babcock Ranch development will ultimately have 19,500 residential units, along with six million square feet of commercial space. In 2018 the town had its official grand opening, which is also when residents first began buying up homes in the development. Cars aren’t necessary for daily errands, as the area has great walkability in addition to bike paths, multiple lakes, a town center park and trails that lead to a nearby 300-acre wildlife preserve. The community has been attracting health-conscious millennials with families, as well as empty nesters and retired senior citizens.
“The overall commercial landscape in the community is just getting started and within the next three to five years, there will be so many options for the residents in Babcock Ranch, as well as for the surrounding communities,” Cashion said.
